[GETTYSBURG] A Presidential Connection: Hero who Saved Nixon's Great-Grandfather

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Rick Carlile Collection of Civil War Photogra...

By Fleischer's Auctions

Jun 20, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-06-20 09:00:00 2026-06-20 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Rick Carlile Collection of Civil War Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/rick-carlile-collection-of-civil-war-photography-22699
This sale features an extensive catalog of Civil War photographs that were acquired, curated, and researched by seminal collector, Rick Carlile. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

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• Lot Description

  Vignetted studio bust portrait albumen CDV. Chillicothe, Ohio: F. A. Simonds, [ca. 1863-5]. Photographer’s imprint to mount verso. Research and biographical notations to mount verso read: "Richard Enderlin / Musician Co B 73rd Ohio / Medal of Honor / Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863."

   

  This vignetted study captures Richard Enderlin, a musician in the 73rd Ohio Infantry who performed one of the most celebrated acts of individual mercy during the Battle of Gettysburg. Posed in civilian attire with a small ribbon or watch fob visible, the portrait was produced by F. A. Simonds in Chillicothe, Ohio, the very city where Enderlin lived and where much of his regiment was recruited. The reverse is clearly identified by Rick Carlile, tethering this image to his heroic service on the most famous battlefield of the war.

   

  Enderlin earned the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary heroism" on the night of 2 July 1863 at Gettysburg. While his regiment was positioned in the middle of a heated firelight near Cemetery Hill, Enderlin voluntarily left the safety of the Union works and crawled into the "no man's land" between the lines. Under a heavy and constant fire, he reached a severely wounded comrade, Private George Nixon (the great-grandfather of President Richard Nixon), and successfully dragged him back to the Union lines. This act of selfless bravery, performed by a non-combatant musician, became a legendary part of the 73rd Ohio’s regimental history.

   

  Following his heroism at Gettysburg, Enderlin was promoted to sergeant for his bravery. He continued to serve with the 73rd Ohio through the Western Theater, participating in the relief of Chattanooga and the Atlanta Campaign, where he was eventually wounded in action at the Battle of Resaca. He finished the war as a battle-hardened veteran, having transitioned from a musician to a combat sergeant.

   

  In his post-war life, Enderlin returned to Chillicothe, where he became a successful businessman and leader of the local Grand Army of the Republic post. He remained an active participant in veterans' reunions, often returning to the Gettysburg battlefield to stand at the spot where he saved his comrade. His legacy is one of the only — or perhaps the only — instances where a musician's actions on the battlefield directly impacted the lineage of a future American president.

   

  [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]

  Condition

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  The image is in generally good to excellent condition, featuring strong tonal contrast and sharp detail in the subject's features. The albumen surface exhibits typical light, atmospheric foxing and minor age-related toning consistent with mid-19th century chemistry. The mount remains structurally sound with sharp edges and a clear, ornate photographer's backmark.

• Provenance

  Rick Carlile collection. 

• Shipping Info

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