Outstanding quarter-plate sized image of two Union soldiers from the legendary Iron Brigade. The Iron Brigade, also known as The Black Hats, was an infantry brigade composed of regiments from three Western states that fought entirely in the East. Among their many battle honors were Antietam, Fredericksburg, and perhaps most famously, Gettysburg. The Iron Brigade suffered the highest percentage of casualties of any brigade in the Civil War. 

The two subjects stand in a crude outdoor camp “studio,” framed in evergreen branches. This location, likely somewhere in Virginia, is well-documented in Iron Brigade images, particularly of members of the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry. The young soldier on the left wears his black wool Hardee hat in the style of the typical Iron Brigade member, while his older pard sports a jauntier look with the front brim of his hat flipped up. This soldier also wears a scarce 1840s-1850s era militia rectangle belt plate, which features a an eagle with spread wings surrounded by 13 stars. Of interest is that he bears a striking resemblance to Waldo A. Stearns, a Private from Evansville, Wisconsin who served in company 'H' of the 2nd Wisconsin. Stearns was wounded at Antietam, and would eventually be discharged from service on account of that injury in the winter of 1863. 

The image is bright and clear with some minimal surface wear, likely the result of being uncased (possibly since being made). The photographer applied subtle tinting to their uniforms and evergreen branches, which together makes for a compelling image. Uncased as found, and fresh to the market.