Full standing and seated view of Major Charles J. Whiting and wife. Mrs. Whiting is seated in a chair with her husband standing beside her. She wears a dark dress with a high collar and a broach at the throat. Around her shoulders she wears a light shawl with lace edges. The Major stands next to his wife with one arm leaning on the back of her chair and the other arm resting against his hip. He wears a dark double-breasted frock coat with Major shoulder straps and matching dark trousers. Both subjects have lightly tinted cheeks. Image is clear with good contrast. Both the image and mount are clean. Reverse has collector information in pencil. ID is confirmed by On-line image.

Charles J. Whiting was born in Massachusetts and was an 1835 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. In 1836 he resigned from the Army to work for the railroad in Florida and then went to teaching school in Maine. In 1855 Whiting rejoined the Army and was assigned to the 2^nd US Cavalry as a Captain and was with this unit when the Civil War started. On August 8, 1861 the 2^nd US Cavalry was re-designated the 5^th US Cavalry. Whiting led the 5^th in its famous charge at Gaines Mill during the Seven Days battles around Richmond. In that charge Whiting’s horse was shot out from under him and he was captured. The record says that he was later exchanged for Captain G. H. Smith of the 25^th VA. Infantry.  On July 17, 1862 he was promoted to Major and led his regiment during the Maryland and Fredericksburg Campaigns. For a short time he commanded the Cavalry Reserve Brigade leading it into battle at Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. At the latter engagement Whiting gave some conflicting orders and ended up being relieved of command and sent to the Draft Rendezvous at Fort Preble in Maine.  He was dismissed from the service on November 5, 1863 for disloyalty and for “using contemptuous and disrespectful words against the President of the United States.” On August 2, 1866 Whiting was reinstated and continued to serve until January 1, 1871. Charles J. Whiting died in Maine on January 8, 1890 at the age of 75 years.

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