Capt. J. Mo. Gates, an Iowa Civil War soldier, is portrayed in this albumen CDV produced during the 1860s. The half-length seated pose, plain pale backdrop, and card format are consistent with studio portraiture common to the war years, though no photographer's imprint appears on the reverse.

Gates wears a double-breasted Union frock coat with shoulder straps indicating his captain's rank, a broad diagonal sash crossing his chest from shoulder to hip, and a dark forage cap with a visible insignia on the front panel. His full beard is heavily streaked and his direct, upward gaze lends the portrait a composed, weathered authority.

Iowa furnished more than 76,000 men to the Union cause across dozens of infantry, cavalry, and artillery regiments, and officers of Gates's rank commanded companies in the field throughout major Western Theater campaigns.

The reverse bears a period ink inscription reading "Capt. J. Mo. Gates" in a flowing cursive hand. No photographer's imprint is present on the mount.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer