Quarter plate full-length studio portrait tintype. N.p., circa 1861-1865. Full thermoplastic wall frame. 

Two Civil War soldiers wear nearly identical uniforms: a light wool slouch cap, a short, dark jacket open nearly to the waist, with a tan or grey shirt underneath on which is sewn a red bib placket. The photographer did an excellent job of tinting this feature a bold red. Commonly called "battleshirts", these garments are often also seen in pictures of miners, cowboys, and firemen. Many Civil War photography collectors associate this bold shirt style with soldiers from southern states, but the subjects on this plate look to be wearing federal issue coats. 

Their choice of firearms also leans towards a northern attribution. The soldier on the left holds an M1854 Saxon rifle with the bayonet attached - a weapon with scant documentation of Confederate use. His pard to the right appears to be holding a scarcely seen M1840 French St. Etienne rifle. As to these ambiguities, it is worth remembering that that the use of various arms and uniforms during the Civil War was not always a clear-cut affair. Some soldiers, especially in the border states, may have worn or used a mix of garments and accouterments from both sides due to supply issues or even personal preference. These important nuances are part of what makes the study of these photographs so rewarding. 

Regardless of the motivations of these particular soldiers, this is without question a wonderful Civil War photo - and on that was cherished by Pat Booth. The subjects stand on the crude wood floor of a spartan photographer's studio, with bare canvas "walls" behind them. The artist was talented despite his meager workspace; the plate makes excellent use of negative space and allows for close examination of the soldiers and their trappings. The tonal quality and clarity is superb. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]