Wartime CDV Image of General Christopher C. Auger, wounded Cedar Mountain

This is another nice item being offered, it is an original Wartime CDV image of General Christopher C. Auger. Augur (July 10, 1821 – January 16, 1898) was an American military officer, most noted for his role in the Civil War. Although less well known than other Union commanders, he was nonetheless considered an excellent battlefield commander.

Auger was born in Kendall, New York. He moved with his family to Michigan and entered West Point in 1839. Augur graduated in 1843 in the same class as General of the Army Ulysses S. Grant. Following his graduation, Augur served as aide-de-camp to Generals Hopping and Cushing during the Mexican American War, and during the 1850s took an active part in the campaigns of the western frontier against the Yakima and Rogue River tribes of Washington and, in 1856, against the Oregon Indians. In Oregon, he was responsible for building Fort Hoskins in Kings Valley.

Auger was promoted to the rank of Major in the 13th Infantry on May 14, 1861. The Civil War was just over four months old when Auger was made Commandant of Cadets at West Point on August 26, 1861, replacing John F. Reynolds who, newly promoted to Brigadier General, had left that position on June 25, 1861, to perform other military duties. Augur served as Commandant of Cadets and West Point's infantry tactics instructor until December 5, 1861.

During the Civil War he was brevetted Brig.-General, U. S. Volunteers, on Nov. 12, 1861. He served in the advance Defenses of Washington, D. C., Dec. 16, 1861, to Mar. 10, 1862; in Operations of the Rappahannock, Mar. to July 1862, being engaged (in command) in the Capture of Fredericksburg, Apr. 21, 1862, and Advance into Shenandoah Valley, May 1862.

Auger was in command of the 5th Army Corps, July 9 to Aug. 10, 1862, and was engaged in the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862, where he was severely wounded. He received a Bvt. Colonel and Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, on Aug. 9, 1862, for Gallant and Meritorious Services in the Battle of Cedar Mountain, VA. From Sep. 23 to Nov. 5, 1862, Auger served as a member of the Military Court to investigate the circumstances of the Surrender of Harpers Ferry.

During Nov-Dec. 1862, Augur participated in General Bank’s Expedition to New Orleans, and was in command of the District of Baton Rouge, La., from Jan. 20 to May 20, 1863. During the Expedition of Port Hudson, he was engaged in command in the Action of Port Hudson Plains, May 21, 1863. At the siege of Port Hudson, Auger commanded the left Wing of the Army, May 22 to July 8, 1863. He was promoted to Lieut.-Colonel, 12th Infantry, on July 1, 1863.

He received his Bvt. Brig.-General, Mar. 13, 1865, for Gallant and Meritorious Services at the Capture of Port Hudson, Miss. and Bvt. Maj.-General, U. S. Army, on Mar. 13, 1865, for Gallant and Meritorious Services in the Field During the Rebellion.

As you can see in the pictures, this is very clear image with great contrast. I used this CDV in my book "Civil War Artillery - A Pictorial Introduction", (see pictures). There were several images of General Auger, but this is one of the rarest and seldom seen on the market.