Lexington, Not Petersburg: A cancelled revenue stamp on the back of an iconic image of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Traveller suggests a new location—and brings to light the photographers who took it

By John O’Brien

Of all the photographs of Robert E. Lee, one stands out as favored above the rest: the gray-coated general seated on his faithful mount, Traveller.

According to tradition, the image was made in Petersburg, Va., during the last month or months of the war in 1865. Since that time however, little scrutiny has been given to several features in the image that actually date it to the post-war period.

“It is fitting and proper that this celebrated equestrian image be credited to those who made it.”

Lee wears his Confederate uniform, though stripped of all military insignia—no stars on the collar, no brass buttons or sleeve decoration. The absence of military insignia is consistent with a Union law issued after the end of the war that forbade the wearing of the Confederate uniform. The image also documents that Lee did, in fact, adhere to the regulation.

Further examination of a half-dozen cartes de visite of Lee on Traveller, including the print reproduced here, reveal an orange, two-cent U.S. revenue stamp on the verso of each mount. This stamp was payment for a tax on photographs levied on Aug. 1, 1864, to help pay for the war. The photograph tax was mandatory throughout the country, including the South, and remained in effect until its repeal on Aug. 1, 1866. Several of the Lee cartes de visite are hand-cancelled with the monogram “W. & K.,” while others include the surnames “White & Kelly.”

The presence of what appears to be broken windows and debris in the street may have reinforced the belief that this carte de visite was produced in war-torn Petersburg, Va., prior to its evacuation on April 2, 1865. Closer inspection indicates that reflections from a tree or building caused the windows to appear broken. Also, that the debris below Traveller’s hooves are leaves. It is reasonable to conclude that the horse would have difficulty standing upon broken bits of brick, wood and stone. Author's collection. — The presence of what appears to be broken windows and debris in the street may have reinforced the belief that this carte de visite was produced in war-torn Petersburg, Va., prior to its evacuation on April 2, 1865. Closer inspection indicates that reflections from a tree or building caused the windows to appear broken. Also, that the debris below Traveller’s hooves are leaves. It is reasonable to conclude that the horse would have difficulty standing upon broken bits of brick, wood and stone. Author’s collection.

These photographers had been active in Lexington, Va., as early as the 1850s. Isaac N. White (1827–1905) was at one time associated with photographer Sam Pettigrew. His ads appear in the Lexington Gazette as late as 1864-1865. Joseph Kelly (1834-1914) first operated a studio on Washington Street in Lexington, without a partner. Kelly was also a Confederate veteran who served in the Rockbridge 1st Dragoons, also known as Company C of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. The regiment served in Gen. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, and participated in numerous engagements, including the Battle of Kelly’s Ford, Va., where Kelly suffered a wound on March 17, 1863.

The cause for the original mistaken attribution of the Lee and Traveller image to Petersburg is not known. But the error may have originated with the Dimenti Studios of Richmond, a 20th century photo firm, which cited the photo as being taken in Petersburg in 1864.

According to Lee biographer Douglas Southall Freeman, the former general wore the ex-military uniform when he came to Lexington to accept the presidency of Washington College on Sept. 18, 1865. Author Rose MacDonald also confirmed Lee’s attire in her 1939 book, Mrs. Robert E. Lee, in which she quoted an eyewitness who observed Lee firsthand. “He wore his military coat divested of all mark of rank; even the military buttons had been removed. He doubtless would have laid it aside altogether, but it was the only one he had and he was too poor to buy another.”

Lee wears his old uniform coat without military buttons in this portrait. On the back is a poignant note, “This photograph I bought of a man who came to our door—Paid $1.00 for it. See diary July 6th 1908.” The man might have been a down-on-his-luck Confederate veteran who reluctantly parted with this precious memento of the war. Though only a fragment of the revenue stamp remains, another carte de visite of the same pose has the stamp cancelled by White & Kelly. Author's collection. — Lee wears his old uniform coat without military buttons in this portrait. On the back is a poignant note, “This photograph I bought of a man who came to our door—Paid $1.00 for it. See diary July 6th 1908.” The man might have been a down-on-his-luck Confederate veteran who reluctantly parted with this precious memento of the war. Though only a fragment of the revenue stamp remains, another carte de visite of the same pose has the stamp cancelled by White & Kelly. Author’s collection.

Another photographic portrait by White & Kelly presents Lee, full-faced and poignant, dressed in the same attire. The photograph was likely made about the same time as the image of Lee and Traveller.

Today, 150 years later, it is fitting and proper that this celebrated equestrian image be credited to those who made it—Lexington photographers Isaac N. White and Joseph Kelly.

But the curious may also wonder, did they take this photo on the very day Lee rode unaccompanied into Lexington?

One might wish it were so.

John O’Brien of Charles Town, W. Va., is a retired historian and journalist, from University of Connecticut, and a contributor to MI.

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