CDV shows Fairlee in the classic Napoleonic stance, posed in front of a pastoral painted backdrop. He wears a gray frock coat with captain’s insignia on the collar, dark cuffs and galloons on the sleeves. Beside him a saber leans against a prop piece of scenery that looks to be a rock or tree stump.

Clarity is okay and the contrast is light. Paper is heavily toned and the mount and paper have moderate surface dirt. Despite these shortcomings all details of the image are visible. Bottom of the mount has nice strong period ink inscription “CAPT. G. M. FAIRLEE.”

Reverse is blank.

George M. Fairlee was an 1856 graduate of the University of South Carolina and was practicing law in Charleston, South Carolina when the Civil War began. The 31 year old Fairlee served as captain of Company H, also known as “The Pee Dee Guards,” of the 1st South Carolina Orr’s Rifles being commissioned on July 20, 1861.

Fairlee led his Company during its service on Sullivan’s Island and moved with it to the Army of Northern Virginia in April of 1862. Sometime in May Fairlee became ill and entered the hospital. He died on June 1, 1862 of fever in the hospital at Guinea’s Station.

His place of burial is not known.

Orr’s Rifles served with the Army of Northern Virginia from April 1862 through to the end of the war. The regiment served in all three corps of the army during its time and saw action at Gaines’ Mill, Cedar Mountain, 2^nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Winchester and Petersburg just to name a few.

Items relating to Orr’s Rifles are very rare and much sought after.  [AD] [ph:L]

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