Albumen image depicts a younger Rockwell in seated studio pose, mounted in oval, 7.25 x 5.25”, against beige card backing, 10 x 8”. He sports a moustache and wears the shoulder straps of a captain. This tinted image exhibits slight soiling, else VG. Reverse ink inscription: “Col. Alfred Perkins Rockwell”/ “Photog by Bergstressor”.

The “Gemstone” tin-type is attached the albumen’s upper left corner, straddling the oval trim. Image depicts older, late war Rockwell, wearing colonel’s eagle shoulder straps, while sporting a goatee in addition to mustache. Sharp image in brass framed .875 x 1.125” oval.

Alfred Perkins Rockwell was a 27 year old resident of Norwich, CT, who enlisted as Captain in the CT 1^st Light Artillery. He was discharged for promotion into Field & Staff of the 6^th CT Infantry, becoming Colonel of the regiment, 6/18/1864. He was discharged 2/9/1865, and made Brigadier General by Brevet, 3/13, 1865.

A graduate of Yale University, he became a leading authority of mining, geology and metallurgy, studying in Europe, and teaching at MIT, Yale and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also served as President of the Eastern Railroad from 1876 to 1879. Rockwell died in New Haven, CT in 1903 and is buried in Yantic Cemetery, Norwich, CT.

During Rockwell’s service with the 1^st CT Artillery, the unit served in the south Altantic theater, participating in the Battle of Secessionville and in operations against Charleston in the summer of 1863, also in Siege operations against Morris Island and Battery Wagner. Moving to Virginia the following year, it was on the Drewry Bluffs Front before Rockwell’s transfer and promotion to the colonelcy of the 6^th Connecticut. With this unit Rockwell was engaged in the Siege of Petersburg; briefly his regiment was detached to New York City for duty during the 1864 election, returning to participate in the expeditions leading to the capture of Ft. Fisher and capitulation of Wilmington, NC. Mustered out at Goldsboro, NC, 8/21/ 1864. During service the 6^th CT lost 107 men killed and mortally wounded and and 126 by disease, for a total of 235.

An excellent collectible. Fine pair of images of young officer in route to becoming one of Connecticut’s Brevet Brigadiers in Blue. In protective sleeve, accompanied by documentation.   [jp]

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