Stahel (1825-1912) was born in Hungary and immigrated to the United States in the wake of the failed war for Hungarian independence in 1848. Lieutenant colonel of the 8^th New York at Bull Run, he was promoted to colonel and brigadier general by the end of the year. He commanded a brigade at Cross Keys and at the Second Battle of Bull Run, where he succeeded to division command and was promoted major general in March 1863. He commanded a cavalry division in the defenses of Washington, but was replaced by Kilpatrick when the division was attached to the Army of the Potomac. In 1864 he commanded a cavalry division in the Shenandoah, first under Sigel and then under Hunter. At the Battle of Piedmont in June 1864 he was seriously wounded and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1893 for his conduct on the field. After the war he served in diplomatic posts, as a mining engineer, and in the insurance industry.

The card is very clearly signed in brown ink, “Jul. Stahel / Maj. Gen.” The carte-de-visite format albumen image shows him in a two-thirds full standing view in the uniform of a brigadier general, wearing an officer’s cap with a “U.S.” in a wreath on the front, his cloak coat over one shoulder, and with his hands on a very plain non-regulation officer’s saber with steel scabbard and a sword knot, an appropriate weapon for a general with some very active field service.

The card and photograph are matted on a blue background with a descriptive plaque matted with them at left.  [sr]

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