Charlie Peters, identified in a period inscription on the reverse as a bandsman of Company B, stands for his portrait in full-length view at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, photographed by C. L. Hamilton. The carte de visite dates to the Civil War era, consistent with the uniform details and the frontier posting. Fort Randall served as a key U.S. Army garrison on the Missouri River during and after the war, and Company B musicians were among the soldiers stationed there.

Peters wears a single-breasted frock coat with a double row of small buttons down the front, light-colored trousers, and a brimmed forage cap set forward on his head. He rests his left hand atop a large upright brass ophicleide or helicon-style valved brass instrument, which stands nearly waist-high beside him, and his expression is direct and composed.

Iowa soldiers served extensively across frontier postings during and after the Civil War, and the presence of a regimental band at Fort Randall reflects the Army's practice of maintaining musical units at permanent garrisons on the western frontier. The inscription reads: "Charlie Peters, of the Band, Co. 'B' 1st."

From the collection of James Lee Soffer