English: Col. James Duncan, U.S. Army, three-quarters to the right, in military uniform. James Duncan emerged from the war as the premier American artillerist, due to his intrepidity and inspirational leadership. Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery, known as Duncan's Battery, was frequently well in front of the infantry in exposed positions (Duncan's Battery (1839-1848)). James Duncan graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1834. Two years later, he served in the Florida war against the Seminole Indians and commanded an artillery company during the war with Mexico from 1846 to 1848. His heroics in the latter conflict caught the attention of army officials, and Duncan rose rapidly from captain to colonel. In late 1848, President James Polk appointed Colonel Duncan inspector general of the United States Army. The daguerreotype in the Palmer collection was made when Duncan came to New York City in December 1848, shortly before beginning his first inspection trip. A few months later, while visiting troops in Mobile, Alabama, he contracted yellow fever and died on July 3, 1849. Duncan's notoriety as a war hero was so great that even three years after his death the most fashionable portrait studio in New York City was still exhibiting his portrait as one of the select "Illustrious Americans." (Colonel James Duncan)