Collage of historical images and cartoons of the American Civil War

Visual Culture of the American Civil WarA Special Feature of Picturing US History

Unidentified young soldier in Union sack coat and forage cap with bayoneted musket

The American Civil War was one of the first wars in which a substantial proportion of a nation's adult male population participated. As a result, it was not unusual, on both sides of the conflict, for an individual to have a family member, friend, or neighbor serving in the military—and to want a memento of those soldiers. Photographers' tents became a common sight at army camps where soldiers could get relatively inexpensive ambrotype or tintype portraits to send back home. The American Civil War was one of the first wars in which a substantial proportion of a nation's adult male population participated. As a result, it was not unusual, on both sides of the conflict, for an individual to have a family member, friend, or neighbor serving in the military—and to want a memento of those soldiers. Photographers' tents became a common sight at army camps where soldiers could get relatively inexpensive ambrotype or tintype portraits to send back home.

Source: Liljenquist Family collection, Library of Congress

Date: 1861-1865

Rights: Library of Congress

Physical Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.3 in. (case)