This four-piece collection of CDVs is a premier, same-soldier variant archive tracking one of the Western Theater’s most celebrated and tragic figures, Brig. Gen. William Haines Lytle. Known broadly as the "Soldier-Poet of Ohio," Lytle's extreme gallantry and battlefield death make his original portrait sequences highly coveted. Importantly, all four images in this lot were captured at the Cincinnati gallery of James Presley Ball, providing a direct connection to one of the most significant African American pioneering photographers of the 19th century. The lot includes:

1. Gen. William Haines Lytle (Seated Armed Study): Three-quarter length seated portrait albumen CDV. Cincinnati: J.P. Ball, [ca. 1862]. Captures Lytle in full dress uniform with double-breasted button alignments, fringed epaulets and his officer's sword cradled in his right hand. The shared studio drapery ties this unbranded mount directly to Ball's gallery. The reverse is blank. 

2 Gen. William Haines Lytle (Bust Vignette Variant): Vignette bust portrait albumen CDV. Cincinnati: Ball & Thomas' Photographic Art Gallery, 120 W. Fourth St., [ca. 1862]. A crisp, close-up study focusing on Lytle's signature full beard and officer attire within a fine wavy-rule border. The reverse features a prominent Ball & Thomas backmark. 

3. Gen. William Haines Lytle (Standing Study with Signed Reverse): Full-length standing studio portrait albumen CDV. Cincinnati: Ball & Thomas' Photographic Art Gallery, [ca. 1862]. A magnificent, high-contrast study showing Lytle in full frock coat and sash, leaning against an ornate architectural pedestal while holding his slouch hat and gloves. The reverse carries a Ball & Thomas stamp heavily enhanced by a detailed inscription reading: "Col. William Haines Lytle / 10th Ohio Inf. / Killed in Action / Sept. 20, 1863 / Chickamauga."

4. Gen. William Haines Lytle (Full-Length Standing Variant): Full-length standing studio portrait albumen CDV. Cincinnati: J.P. Ball, [ca. 1862]. A striking variant view from the same session, showing Lytle standing cross-legged at an alternate angle, resting his hand on a baton atop the identical studio pedestal with his sword hanging vertically at his side.

This archive stands as a monument to Lytle, the patrician commander of the 10th Ohio who later led a federal brigade under Rosecrans. Lytle achieved national pre-war fame for his romantic poetry — most notably Antony and Cleopatra — before proving himself a fearless tactical leader. Already wounded at Rich Mountain and Perryville, Lytle met his fate at the Battle of Chickamauga. While attempting to rally his brigade against a shattering Confederate breakthrough on the Union right, he was struck in the face by a bullet and killed.

The definitive studio connection to J.P. Ball's famed establishment (operating as Ball & Thomas by the early 1860s) elevates this archive into an important material culture study. Finding a four-sitting variant sequence of a high-tier combat casualty of Lytle's stature, entirely unified under a landmark African American photographic provenance, represents an extraordinary opportunity for advanced early photography collectors. 

[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]

Both images and mounts are in very good condition. The albumen prints exhibit strong contrast and tone. The mounts remain clean, with only one carte (number 4) exhibiting minor trimming.