Item No. 7737588

A wonderful sixth plate ruby ambrotype featuring what is most likely a young early-war Illinois volunteer. He stands at order arms wearing a gray tunic with a short skirt characteristic of several early-war Illinois regiments. At his side is an 1842 musket with fixed bayonet. He wears a black leather belt with gold-tinted oval belt plate. Hanging from the belt are a cap pouch with tinted oval plate, a bayonet scabbard, and a cartridge box that is visible on his hip behind the musket, though it hangs from the belt only, as he doesn’t wear a shoulder strap with the box. A dark blue forage cap is tilted atop his head. This is a beautiful image that in the past has often been identified as a Confederate, however short-skirted tunics such as this were worn by Illinois men, not Rebels. Similar examples are seen on images from the 9th Illinois and 12th Illinois. The ambrotype is in excellent condition as shown. It is housed in a paper half-case, and includes the mat, glass, and preserver.