Brigadier General Charles Heckman, Twice Wounded, POW

Brigadier General Charles Heckman, Twice Wounded and POW, Inscribed CDV

CDV bearing a full-length, standing portrait of Brigadier General Charles A. Heckman (1822-1896) in uniform, posed before a studio backdrop depicting a military encampment. Boldly signed below image, "C A Heckman" with clipped signature applied on verso: "C A Heckman / Brig Genl. Commanding." Pencil inscription on mount above reads, "A present from Genl Heckman / February 22d 1864."

A native of Easton, PA, Heckman served in the Mexican War as a sergeant and enlisted in the Union army as a major at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was commissioned into the 9th New Jersey Infantry on October 3, 1861 and was promoted lieutenant colonel on December 3. Promoted twice more, Heckman was commissioned brigadier general of volunteers on November 29, 1862. He led the 18th and 25th Corps in the Carolinas and in the defense of Norfolk and Portsmouth. He was wounded at New Berne and Young's Crossroads, NC, as well as Port Walthall, VA. Heckman was captured at Drewry's Heights after repulsing five Confederate assaults and was taken first to Libby Prison, then Macon, GA and Charleston, SC. During his confinement in Charleston, Union forces fired upon the facility housing Heckman and fifty-one other Federal officers. He was exchanged on August 25, 1864 and commanded the 18th Army Corps at the capture of Fort Harrison.
Condition Report: Mount with rounded corners. Smudging, soiling, and wear to surface, including brown stain at bottom edge.