Beschreibung:

Ninth plate ruby ambrotype of young, unidentified soldier uniformed in one of the many undocumented variations worn by the antebellum New Orleans militia and early state volunteers. The coat appears to be a dark blue short jacket with distinctive large crescent on the breast. This uniform also has a distinctive double row of cuff trim and matching trousers. Housed in full, pressed paper case. In addition to the Crescent Regiment, there were a number of different companies that incorporated the crescent in their titles but nothing can be found to tie this uniform to a specific regiment. It is possible that the subject is a member of the separate 1st Louisiana Infantry Battalion, aka the Orleans Guard Battalion, which also included a Company B known as the Crescent City Rifles, or Crescent Rifles. Provenance:Eugene R. Groves Collection of 19th Century Photography Condition: Some minor spotting on plate. Light tarnish along perimeter. Case previously reinforced at hinge.