Civil War Ambrotype Portrait of Gen. John A. Pattee

Item Details

An antique ambrotype portrait of Civil War officer, Brevet Brigadier General John A. Pattee, in a Union case. The portrait depicts Pattee as a young man, sporting mutton chops and wearing a sprightly checked vest. The ambrotype is presented in an oval-shaped Union case lined in red velveteen. This piece features a gold gadroon bezel around the image. The lid of the case has raised floral designs and comes with a paper lining marked ‘Littlefield, Parsons & Co. – Improved Riveted Hinge – Patented Oct. 14, 1856, and April 21, 1857’. The paper lining is marked in pencil ‘John A. Pattee’. This item relates to item 17DEN123-098; see gold thimble engraved with name ‘A.N. Pattee’.

Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Pattee was a carpenter in Iowa. He served as a captain in the 14th Iowa Infantry. Between 1863 and 1866 he was a lieutenant colonel in the 7th Iowa Cavalry. In 1865 he was made Brevet Brigadier General (an honorary rank given for meritorious service). After the war, Pattee was an Indian agent, and also a business man. He died in Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1901, at the age of 81.

Condition

Degradation to case, including broken and chipped edges throughout
Image is in overall good condition with light marks

Dimensions

Case measured

Item #

17DEN123-442