2-831-850 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Carte-de-visite of a formerly enslaved man identified only as Private Gordon. Gordon is seated wearing trousers and no shirt. Facing the camera is his bare back, with severe raised scars from just above his shoulder blades to his lower back. He head is facing to the left and can be seen in profile while his left hand is resting on his left hip. Written on the back is "FROM LIFE, Taken at Baton Rouge, La. April 27, 1863 / Camp Parapet, La. / Augst. 4th 1863 / Colonel, / I have found a large number of the four hundred contrabands examined by me to be as badly lacurated as the specimen represented in the enclosed photograph. / Very respectfully Yours, / J.W. Mercer / Asst. Surgeon 47th M.V.". There is also a stamp in black ink which states: "FacSimile of original Official Report to Col. L.B. Marsh."