Sgt. J. Callan of the 6th Iowa Cavalry is the subject of this albumen CDV, produced during the Civil War era and likely dating to the early-to-mid 1860s. The image is mounted on a decorative carte-de-visite stock featuring an elaborate printed oval frame with scrollwork, tassels, and fleur-de-lis ornaments surrounding the portrait. No photographer's imprint is visible on the reverse.

Callan sits in a direct, forward-facing pose wearing a dark military frock coat with a single-breasted button placket visible at the chest. He has short dark hair swept back from his forehead, a neatly trimmed chin beard with a clean upper lip, and a composed, steady expression. A lighter-toned vest or inner garment is partially visible beneath the coat.

The 6th Iowa Cavalry was organized in 1862 and served extensively in the Western Theater, participating in operations across Missouri, Arkansas, and into the Deep South, including raids under General A.J. Smith. Sergeants within the regiment were non-commissioned officers responsible for unit discipline and battlefield coordination.

The reverse bears a pencil inscription reading "Sergt J Callan 6th Cavalry," with no photographer's imprint present.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer