Item No. 1489734

A CDV portrait of Brigadier General Gustavus De Russy, best known for his role as commander of the southern defenses of Washington, D.C. The general is identified in period ink in the hand of Bernard J. D. Irwin, the noted army surgeon, naturalist, and Medal of Honor recipient, in whose family album the CDV appeared. On the reverse of the carte is the imprint of E. & H. T. Anthony of New York, with credit to Mathew Brady’s original negative. Measures about 2 1/2” x 4” and has slightly trimmed corners.

De Russy was a career United States Army officer and West Point graduate, best known for his service in the defenses of Washington, DC. He served in the 4th U.S. Artillery and spent much of the war in and around the capital, where he commanded artillery within the extensive ring of fortifications protecting the city. He was the son of General René Edward De Russy.