One of the most famous Brady photographs of Civil War artillery commands is that of “Tidball’s Battery.”  John Caldwell Tidball had an amazing war record starting with the expedition to suppress John Browns Harpers Ferry’s raid.  During the Peninsular Campaign he fought at Yorktown, Williamsburg, New Bridge, Mechanicsville, Gaines’s Mill, Malvern Hill, Harrison’s Landing, and Antietam.  He was on Stoneman’s raid and participated in both the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.   After fighting at Aldle and Upperville, he was named Col. of the 4^th New York Artillery and took command of the 2^nd Corps. Artillery.  The list just goes on of battles- Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg...  He was brevetted for Gaines Mill, Antietam and the Richmond Campaign.  He finally ended up as Major General on April 2, 1865.   This famous Brady photo shows Tidball as a Captain with his staff.  The pose is taken near Fair Oaks after the Antietam Campaign just prior to Gettysburg.  On the back of the photo in brown ink of the period his staff members are identified:  Pennington, Dennison, and Clark.  Tidball stands directing in back of the cannon.  A truly magnificent photo with no fading and perfect focus with mounting residue on each corner of the reverse, which could be easily removed (if desired).   We have only seen one other original of this particular image come up for sale once in the past 20 years.   It is this photo that you see reproduced in many of the colorful modern books on the Civil War.  Image is 2 7/8 by 4 1/8, with good corners and marked on the front bottom "Brady, Washington."

#P8 - Price $2695