Here is a fine, half-plate size, outdoor view ambrotype of an unidentified soldier set in a contemporary wooden frame. Taken outdoors in what appears to be the backyard of a home, this image is a bit dark and shows a uniformed, full-standing militia or early Civil War Federal officer standing at ease in front of a prominent white picket fence. Visible in the background directly behind the fence are shoulder-tall, leafy bushes and the blurred outline of a house. Though unidentified, the individual has the bearing of an officer and holds a riding crop in his hands as he looks away from the camera. He is a mustachioed, good-looking young man with a full dark beard and cheeks that have been slightly tinted red. He wears a traditional chasseur-style uniform that includes a low, chasseur-style kepi with the regimental numerals "12" centered on the dark headband, a long, dark-colored frock coat with baggy pantaloons and leather gaiters over his boots.

The 12th New York State Militia adopted a similar uniform at the outbreak of the Civil War while they were in Washington, DC before the Battle of First Bull Run in July 1861. The 12th NYSM was a three-months regiment and did not see much active service in the war. Kepi cloth is lighter in color than the dark frock coat and exhibits an exterior headband that is dark in color and matches the shade of the coat. Cap trimming, likely of white or blue piping, is visible and exhibits a single, light-colored stripe around the top edge of the headband with another single stripe running downward from the twelve and nine o'clock positions on the top of crown to the visor. The long (below the knee) nine-button frock coat does not appear to be of Federal regulation and SMEs who have seen this image speculate that this coat could be the pre-war militia coat of the 12th NYSM paired with the new style kepi. The dark frock coat also has a standup collar with what appears to be two wide horizontal rows of gold braid sewn to it. Coat has gathered shoulders and displays a narrow, light-colored, strap-like device, possibly for epaulettes, at each shoulder. Also exhibited on the front of the coat is a patriotic 'shield device' attached to the left chest area along with another unidentified, square-shaped badge pinned near the button row. The nine coat size uniform buttons are buttoned up to the collar.

An interesting half-plate sized, framed ambrotype that would make a fine addition to any Civil War photo collection or New York military display.  [ra]

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