This sixth plate ambrotype is a full-standing portrait of what is likely an early war newly minted Union volunteer showing off his uniform and gear, so far as it had been issued. He wears a forage cap, a fatigue blouse unbuttoned to show a civilian shirt and tie, and likely civilian trousers, with a cartridge box sling showing across his chest, a waistbelt with oval US belt plate, cap box and bayonet scabbard, and holding what seems to be a M1855 rifle (judging by the short nose cap) at his side with sling in place and sword bayonet fixed.

He is posed against a plain backdrop, giving him full attention, and he has switched some of his gear around to compensate for the reversal of the image and have it appear to be on the correct side. The image has some shallow solarization and his face is a bit light on the right side, but this is a great portrayal of a newly enlisted volunteer. It shows the folks back home he is armed and ready to go off to war. At the same time the incomplete uniform and haphazard manner of wearing it conveys the hectic early weeks and months of the war as volunteers crowded recruiting depots and states struggled to get them outfitted and to where they were needed.

This is housed in a figural thermoplastic case with raised scroll borders and a central panel of deer in a bucolic setting that is an interesting contrast with the military content of the image. The case is in very good condition with facing pad, mat, glass and frame in place.  [sr] [ph:m]

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