With the following inked presentation inscription: "Ringgold Light Artillery / On duty at the Washington Navy Yard April 1861 / with the compliments of the commandant."

Measures 21 x 16", mounted on light card paper, which has been taped to a heavier card, mounted within a glassed, period wood frame, with interior gilt trim & slatted wood backing, plus hang-wire. The company poses in a column of fours, faced to the left, before a white rail fence. A sergeant stands at the head of the column with four officers with swords standing at intervals down its left side. The officers wear kepis, frock coats, sword belts & striped kersey-blue trousers. The sergeant and men are clad in kepis, shell jackets, striped kersey blue trousers, and hold their muskets at "Carry Arms."

Taken at a distance of five yards, the entire image is fairly sharp with some blurring along the right & top margins. Light wear and soiling, especially in the upper half, accompanied by patches of slight but discernable staining. Handwritten inscription somewhat faded, though entirely legible. Frame exhibits medium wear & scarring & numerous nicks. Two small .25" holes have been drilled clean through the frame on the left and right margins. Overall condition good.

The Ringgold Artillery of Reading, PA [see Bates, vol. 1, p.227, 25th PA Infy.] was a three month unit that was designated Company "A" among the five companies of PA volunteers that were dispatched to Washington in mid-April 1861 to assist in barricading and guarding the capitol until the arrival of the 6th Massachusetts and the 7th New York. This company was ordered to duty at the Washington Arsenal and subsequently to the Navy Yard, and then to guard duty on the Arlington side of the Long Bridge, and then back to the Navy Yard. Upon the expiration of their three month enlistment in July, many members of the Ringgold Artillery joined the re-organized 25th PA Infy., later designated the the 96th PA Infy.

Captpain John Dahlgren commanded the Washington Navy Yard at the time this photo was taken, and had earlier made his reputation as inventor of the Dahlgren gun while serving as chief of Naval Ordnance. Father of army cavalry captain Ulric Dahlgren, who was killed while leading an ill-advised and highly controversial 1864 cavalry raid against Richmond, Captain Dahlgren later saw service with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, during which he received promotion to Rear Admiral. He remained in service until 1870 , when he died while once again in command at the Washington Naval Yard.