A vignette studio portrait albumen CDV of a Union officer wearing a double-breasted frock coat with field officer's shoulder straps. Photographer's imprint to mount verso: Photographed by C.A. Griffin, Beaver, Pa. A bold, period ink inscription on the reverse reads: "Col. R.P. Roberts 140th P.V. / Killed at Gettysburg Pa. / 3rd July 1864 [sic]." Later pencil notation adds "140th Penna." The mount features trimmed or clipped corners common for mid-war album placement.

Richard Pettit Roberts (1820–1863) was the initial Colonel of the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a hard-fighting regiment recruited largely from Beaver, Washington, Lawrence, and Mercer counties. A prominent lawyer and politician in Beaver County before the war, Roberts took command of the regiment upon its organization in the autumn of 1862.

His military career culminated in tragedy on 2 July 1863, during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Leading his regiment as part of the First Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, Roberts anchored a desperate counterattack sent into the chaotic maelstrom of the Wheatfield to support crumbling Union lines. While directing his Pennsylvanians against a fierce Confederate assault, Colonel Roberts was shot through the heart and killed instantly. His leadership and ultimate sacrifice in the Wheatfield are commemorated by the 140th Pennsylvania monument at Gettysburg. His remains were returned to Beaver County, where he was interred in Beaver Cemetery.

Gettysburg casualties occupy an elite tier of historical significance for Civil War collectors. This card represents a definitive KIA portrait, capturing Roberts shortly before his death. The presence of a local Beaver, Pennsylvania, photographer's backmark from his home region adds substantial localized value to the piece. Coupled with the poignant, definitive period ink notation verifying his death on July 2, this is a centerpiece-caliber object for any Gettysburg collection. 

[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, Stereographs] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]

The albumen portrait shows deep, rich tones and fine definition in the facial features and uniform details, with only minimal surface aging. The mount shows faint, scattered foxing and minor handling wear along the trimmed edges.