Carte-de-visite of a Buffalo Soldier from the 24th Infantry Regiment

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A carte-de-visite of a young man identified as a soldier of Co. B, U.S. 24th Infantry Regiment. Captured in studio against a floor length cloth backdrop, the unidentified Buffalo Soldier gazes directly at the camera. He is wearing a bowtie, white shirt, button-down jacket, vest, bright trousers and dress shoes. The chain of a pocket-watch hangs from his vest, through a buttonhole to his proper left vest pocket. On the reverse of the photographic card is a grey sketch depicting three naked children, one riding atop a camera box on wheels. The child holds a whip in their proper right hand and rope “reins” that tug at the other two children who pull the camera cart. A butterfly hovers above the children, as well as “MOSSER & SNELL,” in black ink. Below the drawing is: [MOSSER & SNELL, / Traveling / Photographic Art Gallery / Cantonment, Ind. Terr.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗