2-832-337 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Ambrotype of an African-American soldier depicted seated on a wooden chair with one end of a P1853 Enfield musket held by his right hand near his right hip. The musket extends diagonally across his torso, its barrel held near his shoulder in the long fingers of his left hand; his left elbow rests on the top of the chair. He wears a dark-colored cap, dark-colored frock coat over a lapelled shirt, and light-colored trousers. His belt is closed with a metal plate buckle and a cartridge box belt crosses his chest. Metal on the uniform appears to have been touched up with gold paint, which has the unfortunate result of masking emblems on the kepi, belts, and buttons. The ambrotype is in a decorative gold case.