Item No. 7726462

A CDV view of Brigadier General John Garland, a career army officer whose service spanned from the War of 1812 through the Mexican War and up to the Civil War. Garland poses in his dress uniform, cradling a ceremonial sword in one hand while his other holds his dress chapeau at his side. The hat has a large emblem adorned with a federal eagle. The image was part of an album assembled by Colonel Bernard J. D. Irwin, the noted army surgeon, naturalist, and Medal of Honor recipient. Irwin and Garland likely knew each other when both served in the Department of New Mexico in the 1850s. The carte measures about 2 1/2” x 4” and has slightly trimmed corners. On the reverse is the imprint of E. & H. T. Anthony of New York, with credit to Mathew Brady’s original negative.

Entering the army in 1813, John Garland saw action during the War of 1812 and remained in continuous service in the decades that followed. Garland served with distinction in the Mexican War, participating in the campaign from Veracruz to Mexico City. He later commanded the Department of New Mexico during the 1850s, overseeing frontier operations in the Southwest. He died in service at the outbreak of the Civil War in June 1861.