Eugene W. Hall, identified in a period inscription on the reverse, stands at full length holding a large military-style snare drum nearly as wide as his torso, drumsticks crossed in playing position. The albumen print was made by Miller & Rowell at 335 Washington Street, Boston, a studio active during the Civil War era, and the style of mount and imprint places this CDV firmly in the early-to-mid 1860s. The plain double-ruled card mount and the spare studio backdrop are consistent with wartime Boston production.

Hall wears a light sack coat over a boldly patterned brocade or tapestry sash draped diagonally across his chest, a large bow tie at his collar, and dark trousers with leather shoes. The drum displays a painted Federal eagle device on its shell, identifying it as regulation military pattern, and the rope tensioning and wooden counterhoops are clearly rendered.

Drummer boys occupied a formal and legally recognized role in Civil War Union regiments, serving as young as twelve, and the military drum and patriotic insignia here strongly suggest Hall was photographed in an official or ceremonial capacity rather than simply as a costumed civilian subject. The reverse bears the penciled notation "250" and the collector notation "CDV CW 888" at the lower margin, along with the cursive inscription "Eugene W. Hall."

From the collection of James Lee Soffer