[Yakima War] William Francis Gaston Unpublished Ambrotype

"[Gaston] must die if we are to win" - Chief Ka-mi-akin, Yakima Tribe

Half plate ambrotype. Unknown artist. c. 1857, Likely Washington Territory. Housed in early 20th century wood frame.

Unpublished ambrotype portrait of William Francis Gaston (seated on the viewer's left) and an unknown officer. The son of Alexander and Eliza Gaston, William was born on 5 April 1834 in New Bern, North Carolina. William's grandfather, Hon. William J. Gaston, was a well-known lawyer, politician, and jurist from North Carolina. Gaston studied at Georgetown University before attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was roommates with Fitzhugh Lee. He graduated as a lieutenant in the class of 1856, and was assigned to Fort Walla Walla in Washington Territory with the US 1st Dragoons to assist in the Coeur d'Alene War of 1858, a series of engagements with allied Native American tribes.

In the spring of 1858, Gaston and his comrades found themselves severely outnumbered in a fierce battle with Yakima warriors, an engagement now known as the "Battle of the Four Lakes." During the thick of battle, the Chief of the Yakima singled out Lieut. Gaston and another officer due to their effectiveness in combat, reportedly stating " they must die if we are to win," and personally detailed his best marksmen to kill Gaston and another officer. One marksman was successful, and Lt. Gaston's body was taken by Yakima warriors.

Lt. William Gaston's courage and heroic death was heralded throughout the country. A memorial was placed in his honor at West Point, and "Camp/Fort Gaston" in California was named in tribute.

The man standing next to Gaston is unknown at this time but may have also been stationed at Fort Walla Walla. This image’s former owner, well-regarded author and historian Bill Turner, firmly believed the subject to be Fitzhugh Lee, William Gaston's roommate at West Point.

The photograph itself exhibits razor-sharp clarity. Gaston, seemingly cold, wrapped himself in a blanket while his pard rested a hand on his back- a brotherly gesture.

An important portrait from the antebellum period.

[Yakima War, West Point, Militaria, Western Expansion, Native Americans, Early Indian Wars, Idaho, Washington Territory, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, Cased Images, Union Cases]