Graduation pictures in a sense, Alexander Gardner took a series of group portraits of the three main Union commanders—George Meade (1815–1872), Philip Sheridan (1831–1888), and William T. Sherman (1820–1891)—and their staffs at the end of the war. He also photographed Ulysses Grant and his staff. Sherman’s men were the most unfamiliar to Washingtonians. They caused a sensation at the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington (May 23–24, 1865) as they paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue and past the reviewing stand that contained President Johnson, Grant and other dignitaries.
Sherman’s staff included General Jefferson C. Davis (1828–1879)—not to be confused with the Confederacy’s president—who stands directly behind Sherman (seated, center). Also pictured is Henry Slocum (1827–1894; seated to Sherman’s right) and John Logan (1826–1886; standing, second from right).
