Ca. 1862 Civil War CDV Photograph of Seated CONFEDERATE GENERAL EARL VAN DORN

  
Written in Pencil below the image, Genl. Van Dorn" and in ink on the verso "Gen Van Dorn.

This is a studio pose of a seated Van Dorn with his hands resting on his legs, cap tucked under his left arm and wearing a light tunic with dark trousers. It is one of just a few wartime images that were apparently taken of General Van Dorn, who was shot dead in May 1863. Van Dorn in uniform, c. September 17, 1820 Claiborne County, Mississippi. May 7, 1863 (aged 42) Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Battle of Thompson's Station. (September 17, 1820 - May 7, 1863) was an American Major General who started his military career as a. Officer and became famous for successfully leading a defense of a Native American settlement from the Comanche. He joined Confederate forces in 1861 after the Civil War broke out and was a Major General when he was killed in a private conflict.

A great-nephew of Andrew Jackson. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy.

Earl Van Dorn was known for fighting with distinction during the Mexican-American War. And in defense of Native-American settlements against the attacking Comanche. In the West in addition to his impressive victories as cavalry commander during the American Civil War. In the American Civil War. Despite his efforts to prevent the war from happening. He sided with the Confederacy. Fighting in the Western Theater as a major general. He was appointed commander of the Trans-Mississippi District. At the Battle of Pea Ridge. Arkansas, in early March 1862, Van Dorn was commanding infantry rather than cavalry, which was his expertise, and though brilliantly battling early on, was defeated by a smaller U. He had abandoned his supply wagons for speed, leaving his men under-equipped in cold weather. At the Second Battle of Corinth. In October 1862, he was again commanding infantry instead of his specialty, which was cavalry. Van Dorn was winning only to be defeated because of a failure of his reconnaissance team and was removed from infantry command. The battle was later described by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. As an "impossibility" because many soldiers Van Dorn had inherited were starving and diseased.

Davis said that Van Dorn handled the command "masterfully". Van Dorn scored two additional notable successes as a cavalry commander, in which role he never lost, capturing a large U. Supply depot in the Holly Springs Raid. By saving Vicksburg and protecting the Confederacy's main port.

Van Dorn's successful raid of Holly Springs also delayed the potential expulsion of Jewish people. From Grant's military district. His next acclaimed success that helped restore his reputation as a military genius was his overwhelming victory over an enemy brigade at the Battle of Thompson's Station.

Van Dorn's reputation was restored but short-lived. In May 1863, he was shot dead at his headquarters at Spring Hill. By a doctor who claimed that Van Dorn had carried on an affair with his wife.

Van Dorn's career experienced ups and downs, but he was considered a brilliant cavalry commander. It is because items are accurately described and guaranteed, and carefully packaged. We describe the item as accurately as possible. However, we are by no means experts and this information is based solely on our general knowledge & opinions.

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