Full-length standing group portrait CDV. [ca. April-May 1861]. Documents two soldiers in full matching campaign kits against a classic studio column backdrop. The soldier on the left wears a light gray chinchilla-cloth uniform coat with a distinct company number "6" pinned to his forage cap; he rests his foot on a studio stool while displaying a slung metallic canteen and canvas haversack over his white crossbelts. His companion stands at attention beside him, with both men leaning heavily on their long rifled muskets with fixed bayonets. The reverse features an early pencil identification reading "Col Sundberg" along the upper margin.

This exceptional early-war albumen CDV captures two fully equipped infantrymen posing together in a home-front studio vignette. The image represents a superb material culture study of the New York State Militia (NYSM) or a closely related elite early-war command during their initial mobilization phase in 1861.

This image stands as a highly desirable visual document of early-war volunteer iconography, capturing the exact material reality of the northern militia regiments that rushed southward to defend Washington D.C. in the spring of 1861. The comprehensive presentation of full matching campaign kits - including rolled woolen blankets atop packed knapsacks, pristine crossbelt configurations, and early-pattern long arms - makes this an uncommonly rich reference study. Finding group portraits from this precise mobilization window featuring such crisp, uncompromised gear details remains a significant draw for advanced collectors of early Union mobilization. 

As far as the curious notation on the verso, the mention of "Col Sundberg" on the reverse of a rank-and-file image almost always points to provenance rather than identification. It likely means this specific card was originally sourced from Col. Charles J. Sundberg's personal wartime albums, correspondence files, or estate. Born in Sweden, Sundberg immigrated to the United States and served as a highly regarded staff officer during the Civil War, serving as a captain and aide-de-camp on the staff of Major General John A. Dix. He spent significant time stationed in New York and would have had ample opportunity to interact with the NYSM. 

[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] 

The image is in very good condition with balanced tones and excellent sharpness. The mount is structurally sound and square, displaying only age-appropriate surface toning.