civilwarincolor
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2012
- Location
- California
The National Archives does not have a date or location for this photograph, but it is clearly after July of 1863, since that is when Sickles lost his leg. While Sickles was rather boastful of his actions he came very close to being Court Martialed for disobeying orders at Gettysburg and was only spared due to the loss of his leg that effectively sidelined him for the war. He was also powerfully connected politically. Interestingly enough Sickles was able to turn this loss into a victory of sorts, he was evacuated to Washington and was able to be the first to tell his side of the battle, which painted him as a hero in the press. Years later he was awarded the Medal of Honor for the action that lost his leg. What would have caused any other soldier their commission became the highest military honor for him.
As for Heintzelman he had graduated from West Point in 1826 and was promoted to Colonel at the start of the war. After 2nd Bull Run (2nd Manassas) was promoted to Brigadier General and to Major General later that year. Assigned to the defenses of Washington he commanded the Northern Department for the rest of the war. This photograph would therefore have been taken between July 1863 and early 1865, most likely at or near Washington D.C.
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