(1815-1872) Graduated 3rd in the West Point class of 1839. An assistant professor while still an undergraduate at the Military Academy, he first worked upon the fortifications of New York Harbor, and in 1844 inspected those of France. Upon his return to the U.S., he wrote a Report on the Means of National Defence, which was published by Congress and won him an invitation from the Lowell Institute of Boston to deliver a series of lectures. These were published as Elements of Military Art and Science, a work which enjoyed wide circulation among soldiers for many years. He received a brevet as captain in the Mexican War. At the beginning of the Civil War, General Winfield Scott recommended to Abraham Lincoln that Halleck be appointed major general in the regular service. In November 1861, Halleck relieved General Fremont at St. Louis and in a demonstration of his talents as an administrator quickly brought order out of the chaos in which his predecessor had plunged the Department of the Missouri. A series of successes by his subordinates at Forts Henry & Donelson, Pea Ridge, Island No. 10 and Shiloh, caused Halleck to shine in reflective glory, and his domain enlarged to include Ohio and Kansas. President Lincoln later recalled him to Washington to serve as general in chief of the U.S. Armies.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 3 1/2 card. 3/4 standing view striking a Napoleonic pose. He is wearing a double breasted frock coat with rank of major general. Photographic sticker on the reverse, Earles' Galleries, 816 Chesnut Street, Philadelphia.