A young naval officer stands at full length in this albumen CDV produced by F. Kindler of Newport, Rhode Island, whose studio operated at 144 Thames Street at the corner of Parade. Newport was home to the U.S. Naval Academy during its Civil War-era relocation from Annapolis, making this portrait almost certainly connected to that institution and placing the image firmly in the 1861 to 1865 period.

The subject wears a double-breasted naval frock coat with two rows of buttons, a matching waistcoat, and dark trousers with a stripe along the seam. Anchor insignia appear at both collar points, and a naval officer's kepi with a visible device sits atop his head. He holds a small book or booklet tucked against his left arm, and a second uniform coat draped over a wooden chair beside him shows additional button rows and a dark ribbon or sash at its collar.

F. Kindler was among the prominent Newport photographers serving naval personnel during the academy's wartime residence at Newport's Atlantic House, making this portrait a document of that significant chapter in U.S. naval history.

The reverse bears a pencil inscription reading "Your very dear friend" followed by a signature reading "Fred K. Bird, Camd[e]n, R.I." along with initials, and a stamped notation reading "B e D."