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Six men in dark military uniforms are depicted in the image. The front row shows three seated men holding swords. The back row displays three standing men with serious expressions. The men have varying facial hair and hairstyles. They are all dressed in dark military uniforms with white collars and shoulder epaulets, holding swords. Some wear belts, indicating military rank. The background shows a painted backdrop with trees and an American flag. The setting appears to be indoors based on the patterned rug.
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Six men in dark military uniforms are depicted in the image. The front row shows three seated men holding swords. The back row displays three standing men with serious expressions. The men have varying facial hair and hairstyles. They are all dressed in dark military uniforms with white collars and shoulder epaulets, holding swords. Some wear belts, indicating military rank. The background shows a painted backdrop with trees and an American flag. The setting appears to be indoors based on the patterned rug.

National Gallery of Art · Photograph

1st Louisiana Guards

American 19th Century

Date
c. 1862
Medium
albumen silver print
Dimensions
image/sheet: 18 × 12.8 cm (7 1/16 × 5 1/16 in.) mount: 22.8 × 17.8 cm (9 × 7 in.)
Classification
Photograph
Accession number
2025.44.12
Credit line
Gift of Funds from W. Bruce and Delaney H. Lundberg
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CPH
Original NGA record

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • albumen silver print
  • Soldiers
  • African American
  • Civil War
  • military
  • Men
Provenance

Eric C. Caren, The Caren Archive; (sale, Bonhams, New York, 7 April 2014, lot 179); Ron Perisho, Gettysburg, PA; NGA purchase, 2025.

Inscription

on verso, by unknown hand, across top in graphite: ? La. Corps d ‘Afrique black officers / ? Capt Louis A Snaer (rear adj to branch) (73rd USCT) / 1st black regiment / mustered into Union / Army / Originally called 1st / La Native Guards →73rd USCT

NGA object ID 228772. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.