Item No. 9210186

A CDV portrait of John G. F. Holston, a Civil War surgeon who served as medical director in the western armies under General Ulysses S. Grant. The photograph was part of the album of Bernard J. D. Irwin, the noted army surgeon, naturalist, and Medal of Honor recipient who was in charge of army hospitals at Memphis. In the image, the bespectacled Holston stands with a hand on the handle of his medical officer’s sword. While the mount bears no photographer’s imprint, the reverse carries a detailed contemporary ink inscription, likely in Holston’s own hand, reading: “Battlefield of Corinth Miss. Oct 4th 1862 / Maj. John G F Holston / Surg. U.S.V. / Medical Director / Depart. Ten. & Genrl Grant’s army.” The carte measures about 2 3/8” x 4” and has slightly trimmed corners.

Holston was a physician from Zanesville, Ohio, who entered Union service as a surgeon and rose to serve as a medical director under Ulysses S. Grant. He was actively engaged in the western theater, overseeing medical operations during major campaigns in Tennessee and Mississippi, including the fighting around Corinth in 1862. After the war, Holston returned to Ohio, where he resumed his medical practice, later gaining distinction for treating President Grant.