American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Quarter plate daguerreotype. (Minor edge tarnish, few surface abrasions.) Housed in full, leatherette case with floral design (some surface wear). Small museum catalog number written in white at top edge of case. Stevenson was promoted to captain in June 1847, dating the image to ca 1846. 

RARE: One of two daguerreotypes of Stevenson known to exist. This portrait is illustrated in several biographies of Stevenson. 

Born at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Carter Littlepage Stevenson (1817-1888) graduated 42nd of 45 from West Point in 1838. He served with distinction in the Mexican War, being cited for bravery at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He also participated in the Seminole War of 1856-1857 and the Utah Expedition. At the start of the Civil War, Stevenson was commissioned colonel of the 53rd Virginia Infantry in July 1861, and was promoted to brigadier general on 27 February 1862. He was then ordered to the Western theater, where he was part of Major General E. Kirby Smith's invasion of Kentucky. Following a promotion to major general in October 1862, Stevenson served bravely at Chickasaw Bluffs, Champion's Hill, and Vicksburg where he was briefly taken prisoner. Stevenson went on to lead his Confederate troops at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Kennesaw, Resaca, Nashville, and Bentonville, surrendering with General Joseph E. Johnston in April 1865. After the war, Stevenson turned to engineering and spent his final years in Caroline County, Virginia. In 1914, a marble bust was erected at the Vicksburg Military Park commemorating Major General Stevenson's service.