Vignetted studio bust portrait albumen CDV. Beaver, Pennsylvania: C. A. Griffin, [ca. 1862]. Photographer's imprint to mount verso. Verso features a poignant, period ink inscription: "Col. R.P. Roberts 140th P.V. / Killed at Gettysburg Pa. / 2nd July 1863—"

Vignette portrait of Richard Pettit Roberts (1820-63), commander of the 140th Pennsylvania. A prominent attorney and legislator from Beaver County, Roberts recruited and led a regiment that would become one of the hardest-fighting units in the Army of the Potomac. On 2 July 1863 Roberts led his Pennsylvanians into the maelstrom of Getysburg's Wheatfield. While positioned near a stone wall under a heavy crossfire, he was struck in the chest and killed instantly while encouraging his men to hold their ground.

A rare and personal "hometown" portrait from C.A. Griffin’s studio in Beaver, Pennsylvania, the resolute Roberts is depicted in his colonel’s frock coat, his gaze steady. Unlike mass-produced gallery portraits, this local imprint highlights the deep connection between the officer and the town that followed him into service. The clipped corners of the mount suggest it was once cherished in a family or regimental album.

Roberts is remembered as the quintessential volunteer officer who sacrificed a high-ranking political and legal career for the Union cause. The 140th Pennsylvania suffered staggering losses in the Wheatfield — over 50% casualties — and the death of its colonel was a profound blow to the brigade. His fall remains one of the most evocative stories of Pennsylvania’s sacrifice on its own soil. This CDV, with its contemporary memorial inscription, serves as a solemn tribute to a commander who lost his life at the very front of the Union defense. 

[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]

Good tonal range with minor age-related foxing and light surface wear; corners clipped as noted. A highly significant and researchable identified casualty from one of the most famous Pennsylvania regiments at Gettysburg.