Confederate General James Cantey, CDV 

Lithographed bust view of James Cantey, with Anthony, New York backmark, misidentified in the margin as Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, CSA.

Born in Camden, SC, James Cantey (1818-1874) was a South Carolina College graduate who studied and practiced law in his hometown before becoming a two-term state legislator. During the Mexican War, Cantey served with distinction as an officer in South Carolina's Palmetto Regiment, suffering wounds as a result of one of the many battles in which he fought. Following the war, Cantey settled in Russell County, AL, and became a planter.

At the start of the Civil War, Cantey was elected colonel of the 15th Alabama Infantry, and he served in the Shenandoah Valley under Stonewall Jackson, engaging in battles around Richmond. He was then transferred to the Western army and stationed at Mobile from January 1863-April 1864, where he organized a brigade consisting of the 17th, 21st, and 29th Alabama regiments as well as the 37th Mississippi. Following his transfer to the Army of Tennessee, Cantey received a commission of brigadier general on January 8, 1863, and his brigade fought in both the Atlanta and Franklin-Nashville Campaigns. He and his brigade participated in General Joseph Johnston's last battle, the Battle of Bentonville, NC, and his brigade surrendered with Johnston's men at Durham Station, NC, on April 26, 1865. At the close of the war, Cantey returned home to his plantation near Fort Mitchell, AL, where he remained until his death.

Misidentified in ink on mount below image. A nice, clean CDV.