VIRGINIA CONFEDERATE (C.S.A.) PORTRAIT OF LIEUTENANT BALLARD PRESTON DEYERLE (1844-1872), oil on canvas, bust-length depiction of the sitter in his Confederate uniform, no signature located. Housed in likely original molded gilt frame, stretcher with label for Geo. F. Muth & Co., successors to Geo. Ryneal, Jr., of Washington, DC. Late 19th/early 20th century. 19 1/2" x 23 1/2" sight, 25 1/2" x 29 1/2" OA. 
Catalogue Note: Ballard Preston Deyerle was born on November 8, 1844 in Salem, Virginia to parents Joseph S. Deyerle (1799-1877) and Anna "Annie" Crawford (1800-1871). Ballard was the youngest out of a total of 13 children, eventually serving along with some of his brothers in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was a member of the 54th Virginia Regiment during the march into Kentucky in 1861-1862. During the reorganization of the Confederate Army, he left his regiment and became a lieutenant in Howitzer's section of cavalry commanded by Col. Robert H. Logan of Salem, VA, in General Hodge's Brigade. In the spring of 1864, his command was sent to the Valley of Virginia, where he participated in many battles under General Early, including the battle of Fisher's Hill. After the war, Ballard attended the University of Virginia, becoming a civil engineer for his profession. He died on August 30, 1872 at age 27 and is buried at East Hill Cemetery, Salem, VA in the Deyerle/Barnett burial plot. 

Very good visual condition with scattered areas of craquelure, light scuff at shoulder. Frame with some wear and flaking to surface.