A very clear, two-thirds length, standing portrait with good contrast and detail of an armed Civil War infantryman in a circa-1890 copy photo in cabinet card format by Strode of Kokomo, Indiana. The soldier is unidentified, but there is a good chance that he, like the photographer, was from Indiana. He is shown from mid-thigh up, wearing a state-issue nine-button jacket piped down the lapel, and on the collar and cuffs, and fitted with shoulder straps. He wears a narrow-brimmed hat with what appears a light-colored feather on one side, partially visible draping over the top of the hat. His trousers are a lighter color than his jacket. For details on Indiana uniforms, among other sources, see Todd’s chapter in his volume on state forces. The state’s volunteer regiment of infantry were numbered starting with “6,” and the state supplied uniforms, arms and equipment for the 6^th through 26^th regiments and the for the 29^th regiment as well.

The soldier holds a musket with bayonet fixed and with sling in place, at attention at his side. He has turned his waistbelt upside down to compensate for the lateral reversal of what was likely a tintype to make his cap box appear on the correct side and make the US on his belt plate at least appear in the right order, even if the letters are upside down, and he did not bother to turn the cap box right-side-up after flipping over the belt. The photographer has supplied a small double-barrel percussion pistol to stick in his belt to increase his warlike appearance, and perhaps supplied the sheathed Bowie knife he has stuck in his belt as well. The belt clearly shows the early-war use of a leather retaining loop rather than the later flat, brass c-clasp. The resolution is good enough, even in the copy image, to show what appears to be a watch chain draping down from the trouser pocket, concealed by the lower edge of his jacket, on the right.

The image measures 4" x 5-5/8" on a 4-1/4" x 6-1/4" mount that has been trimmed along the bottom edge. Armed images are always desirable. This one has a lot going for it. The unit might be identifiable, and these later copy photos often preserve the only likeness of a family member who died in the war, making it a valued family memento.  [sr][ph:L]

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