Albumen ¾ studio portrait of General Alexander Hays. Washington, D.C.: Mathew Brady, n.d. Brady's imprints to mount recto and verso. Inscription to verso identifies the subject. WITH Albumen ¾ standing portrait of General John Sedgwick. Washington, D.C.: Mathew Brady, n.d. Brady's imprints to mount recto and verso. Inscription to verso identifies the subject. ALSO WITH Albumen ¾ seated portrait of Thomas Ward Osborn. Watertown, New York: Hart's Arcade Photographic Gallery, n.d. Photographer's imprint to mount verso alongside red 2-cent revenue stamp. Pencil inscription to image reads "Col Osborne".

A sensitive portrait of General Hays, he is captured seated in a relaxed position, with one arm resting upon the back of the chair, his hand combing his beard. Wearing his double-breasted frock coat, his shoulder strap is visible and his Hardee hat rests upon his lap.

Alexander Hays (1819-1864) was a Pennsylvania politician and a graduate of West Point. During the Mexican American War he was a brevetted second lieutenant in the 8th US Infantry and won special distinction in an engagement near Atlixco, resigning his commission after the war. When the Civil War commenced, however, he re-entered service as a colonel with the 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry where he saw heavy action throughout the Peninsula Campaign, with a brevet in the regular army to lieutenant colonel for his gallantry in action when directing a bayonet charge into enemy lines at the close of Seven Days Battles. In the Second Battle of Bull Run, he again distinguished himself leading a charge and receiving a painful leg wound, after which he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers. As brigade commander in the XXII Corps, he defended the right Union line on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg repulsing a Confederate attack and counterattacking the Confederate left flank on the third day. In early 1864, he suffered a bloody defeat at the Battle of Morton's Ford suffering 252 casualties and (unproven) accusations of drunkenness. After the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac in early 1864, Hays commanded the 2nd Brigade of Birney's 3rd Division in the II Corps. During Battle of the Wilderness, he was killed in action after being struck in the head by Minié ball.

Sedgwick wears his double-breasted frock coat with his general's shoulder straps visible and a medal upon his breast. He stands at an angle to the lens, his hands held behind his back.

John Sedgwick (1813-1864) graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1837 and fought in the Seminole Wars, the Mexican American War, reaching the rank of major, the Utah War, and various Indian conflicts prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. He served in the early battles of the Eastern Theater and was promoted to major general after the Seven Days Battles. During Antietam, he was rashly sent by General Edwin Sumner in an assault against General Stonewall Jackson. They were routed and Sedgwick was wounded thrice in the wrist, leg, and shoulder. He returned to action at Fredericksburg, joined the action late at Gettysburg, but performed with note at the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station. He was killed by Confederate sharpshooters at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House after uttering his ill-fated last words: "Why are you dodging like this? They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."

Colonel Osborne is seated in his officer's frock coat with his colonel's straps visible. His arm rests upon the photographer's fringed studio chair. Thomas W. Osborne (1833-1898) raised a company of light artillery in his home county in New York which was mustered in as Battery D of the 1st New York Light Artillery. Serving in the Army of the Potomac, he was promoted to captain, major, and colonel, serving under General Oliver O. Howard in the XI Corps. After Gettysburg where he commanded the crops' artillery defense of Cemetery Hill, he was transferred with Howard to the Western Theater where he served as inspector general. After the war, he worked as an assistant commissioner for the Freedmen's Bureau as part of Reconstruction in Florida and later serving as a Republican US Senator representing Florida.

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