Half-length seated studio portrait albumen CDV. New York: Bailey & Silver's Photograph Gallery, 395 & 397 Broadway, [ca. 1863-4]. Photographer's imprint to mount verso. Modern pencil inscriptions to mount verso read: "MAJOR / Augustus J. / WARNER / 40TH NY / WIA GETTYSBURG / 7-2-1863."

This commanding portrait captures Maj. Augustus J. Warner of the 40th New York Volunteer Infantry. Warner presents a rugged, veteran appearance with a full, thick beard, wearing a double-breasted officer's frock coat. Most notably, a classic Third Corps diamond badge is pinned prominently to his left breast. The mount bears the New York imprint of Bailey & Silver, alongside modern pencil notations detailing his rank, regiment and status as a casualty on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The 40th New York, famously known as the Mozart Regiment, was deeply engaged in the chaotic and bloody fighting on 2 July 1863. As part of Gen. Daniel Sickles' Third Corps, the regiment was thrust into the desperate combat in the Valley of Death and along the Plum Run line, just north of Devil's Den. It was during this horrific close-quarters fighting against surging Confederate assaults that Warner was severely wounded.

Warner had a remarkably tough road ahead of him after surviving the Valley of Death. He recovered from the severe leg wound he received at Gettysburg and returned to the 40th New York, eventually earning a promotion to lieutenant colonel. 

His combat career finally came to an end just outside Richmond during the initial operations of the Siege of Petersburg. In June 1864 Warner was severely wounded for a second time. This injury proved to be war-ending, and he was officially discharged for disability resulting from that wound a few months later.

Warner went on to live a long and interesting life, ultimately passing well into his 90s. Period images of Warner are extremely scarce, a running theme of the Carlile collection. First acquired by Rick in the early 1980s, this incredibly historic photo stands as a testament to his early instincts as a collector who was focused on the core stories and players of the Civil War. 

[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 very good condition. The albumen surface exhibits a rich, pleasing tonality with excellent contrast. There is minor surface wear, a small superficial tear near the top center edge and light age-related fading typical of period photography.