CDV of General Jesse Reno
KIA South Mountain
Beautiful original image mounted on plain white stock with “Reno” in pencil on reverse of image and a J.E. McClees backmark showing his Philadelphia address.
General Jesse L. Reno (1823-1862) served as an officer in the Mexican American War and a Union Major General in the Civil War, and was killed while fighting alongside his troops at the Battle of South Mountain.
Reno, Jesse L., major-general, was born in Wheeling, Va., June 20, 1823. He was graduated at the United States military academy in 1846 and served with distinction during the Mexican war, where he took part in the siege of Vera Cruz, the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco, and the storming of Chapultepec, where he was severely wounded. For gallantry at Cerro Gordo he was brevetted 1st lieutenant and for services at Chapultepec, captain. He was promoted 1st lieutenant in 1853 and captain in 1860, the interval between the Mexican and Civil wars being employed as assistant professor at the military academy, on topographical duty, as a member of various boards and in command of arsenals. He commanded Mt. Vernon arsenal, Ala., from 1859 until its seizure by the Confederates in Jan., 1861, and the arsenal at Leavenworth, Kan., from February until December of that year. He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers on Nov. 12, and commanded a brigade in Gen. Burnside's expedition to North Carolina, participating in the capture of Roanoke island, the battle of New Berne, and the action at Camden. From April to Aug., 1861, he commanded a division in the Department of North Carolina, was promoted major-general of volunteers, July 18, 1862 and took part in the movement to Newport News and the Rappahannock in August. He commanded the 9th corps in the northern Virginia campaign, from August to September, engaging at Manassas and Chantilly, and also at South mountain in the Maryland campaign. He was killed at South mountain, Sept. 14, 1862, while gallantly leading an assault.
Inventory Number: CDV 398