Outstanding Civil War-era CDV showing General James F. Curtis seated at center, surrounded by fellow officers of the 4th California Infantry. Curtis was a prominent figure in early California history, not only serving with distinction in the war, but also as a founding member of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance—a powerful vigilante group formed to combat lawlessness in Gold Rush-era San Francisco—and a member of the Society of California Pioneers.

The verso identifies several additional officers, including Major Henry M. Benson, who served with both the 1st and 4th Infantry, and David B. Hoffman, Assistant Surgeon of the 4th California. Other names mentioned in pencil include O.H. Lee, E.W. Hillyer, Matthew Sherman, and Vincent Geleich. Period ink at bottom front identifies Curtis and marks him with a small “X.”

Backmark of noted San Francisco photographer Wm. Shew, 421 Montgomery Street. Image dates to November 1865 based on notation on verso. Crisp clarity with excellent contrast. A scarce and historically rich portrait of one of California’s more colorful Civil War figures.