A Union enlisted man will be the focus of today’s Civil War Portraits post.

The soldier seated above was a private in the infantry when he sat for his portrait.  He was sporting a frock coat with shoulder scales, which may indicate that he was not involved in duties that would require him to be out on campaign, at least around the time the photo was taken.  All in all is a fairly basic image, but the soldier was definitely in the minority as enlisted man in that he was clean shaven.  The vast majority of privates in the army sported facial hair, which may also indicate he was involved in garrison duty and had the time and energy to shave.