Three-quarter length standing studio portrait albumen CDV. New York: Mathew Brady, National Photographic Portrait Galleries, Broadway & Tenth St., [ca. 1861-2]. Photographer's imprint to mount recto and verso. Research pencil identifications to mount verso read: "Lt. Lewis C. Parmalee / Adjutant / KIA Antietam."

This striking portrait by the celebrated Mathew Brady captures Adj. Lewis C. Parmelee of the 2nd United States Sharpshooters in a classic martial pose. Standing with his arms crossed, Parmelee wears a finely tailored officer's double-breasted frock coat, a crimson sash and a forage cap featuring an embroidered insignia. His sword hangs at his side, while his white gauntlets rest on a studio chair. The image features Brady's prominent New York imprint on the lower mount margin.

Before joining the elite ranks of Col. Berdan's Sharpshooters, Parmelee, who came from a wealthy Connecticut family, served with the 7th New York State Militia (the Dandy Seventh) during its initial 1861 mobilization. By early 1862, he was appointed first lieutenant and regimental adjutant of the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters. On 17 September 1862, during the bloodiest single day in American military history, Parmelee rode into the horrific fighting in the Antietam Cornfield supporting the Iron Brigade. As the battle raged near the Hagerstown Pike, Parmelee bravely rushed forward to seize a Confederate flag fastened to a fence post. Unbeknownst to him, Confederate infantry were concealed directly behind the fence. He was struck by five bullets and killed instantly while attempting to capture the colors.

Portraits of officers killed at Antietam, particularly those associated with iconic sectors of the battlefield like the hallowed Cornfield, are exceptionally rare and historically profound. This may be the most memorable — it is impossible to forget the doomed Parmalee's cocksure expression. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]

The image is in good to very good condition. The albumen surface exhibits a soft, pleasing tonality that clearly captures his facial features and the details of his uniform. There are some minor surface blemishes and light scattered foxing typical of period photography, but the contrast remains strong.