General Humphreys / SOLD

General Humphreys - Inventory Number: ALB 022 / SOLD

Outstanding one of a kind large format albumen photo with hand-touched detailing.  Housed in its original frame. Frame measures approximately 16 3/4" x 23".   

Fredericksburg, Antietam, and Chancellorsville had divisions destroyed along Emmitsburg Road by McClaw's troops during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Humphreys, Andrew A., major-general, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 2, 1810, and was graduated at the United States military academy in 1831.  From the time of his graduation until the outbreak of the Civil war, with the exception of two years 1836-38, when he was employed by the U.S. government as a civil engineer, he was constantly on duty, most of the time in the engineer department, engaging in topographical and hydrographical surveys of the delta of the Mississippi river, and on other important engineering works, and on Aug 6, 1861, was promoted major corps of topographical engineers.  He was chief topographical engineer under Gen. G. B. McClellan at Washington, Dec., 1861, to March, 1862, and in the Army of the Potomac, being engaged in the defenses of Washington, the siege of Yorktown the battles of Williamsburg, and the movements and operations before Richmond.  He was made brigadier-general of volunteers, April 28, 1862, and in September, of that year assumed command of a division of new troops in the 5th corps of the Army of the Potomac, which division he led in the Maryland campaign.  He engaged in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, at the latter commanding the extreme left of the army, was then transferred to the command of the 2nd division of the 3rd corps, which he commanded at Gettysburg under Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, and he was promoted major-general of volunteers, July 8, 1863.  From that time until Nov. 1864, he served as chief-of-staff to Gen. Meade, and was then given command of the 2nd corps, which he commanded in the siege of Petersburg, the actions of Hatcher's run, and the subsequent operations ending in the surrender of Lee's army.  Having previously been promoted lieutenant-colonel of engineers and brevetted colonel, U. S. A., for gallantry at Fredericksburg, Gen. Humphreys was awarded, on March 13, 1865, the brevet of brigadier-general, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Gettysburg, and that of major-general, U. S. A., for similar service at Sailor's creek.  He was mustered out of the volunteer service, Sept. 1, 1866, having served after the march to Washington following Lee's surrender, in command of the District of Pennsylvania and subsequently in charge of the Mississippi levees.  He was made brigadier-general and chief of engineers, Aug. 8, 1866 the highest scientific appointment in the United States army, with charge of the engineer bureau in Washington.

This office he held until June 30, 1879, when he was retired at his own request, serving during this period on lighthouse and other important boards.  During his military career he served in seventy engagements, covering Indian warfare and the Civil war.  He was a member of various scientific societies and author of several works on scientific and historical subjects. Gen. Humphreys died in Washington D. C., Dec. 27, 1883. 

Inventory Number: ALB 022 / SOLD