Brigadier General Gustave Paul Cluseret graduated from the French military academy, St Cyr and saw action in France, Algeria, and Crimea. He became a mercenary commanding Garibaldi's French contingent. Came to the Union, serving on McCellan's staff, transferred to Fremont's command where he notably led a brigade against Stonewall Jackson at Cross Keys.

He fell out of favor with McCellan and Staunton, branded as a trouble maker, he resigned March 2, 1863. He campaigned for Fremont in the election of 1864. Returned to Europe in 1867, meddled in the Irish problems, sentenced to death in France, was exiled to Switzerland, where in 1870, he was enticed back to France by George Francis Train to become the Minister of War during the time of the Commune. Very Fine image of Cluseret, taken in Paris at the time he served as Minister of War. At this setting, the general posed in both mufti and with his Union Brigadier General tunic, no doubt to lend military bearing.