This exceptional sixth plate daguerreotype captures two militia or infantry officers, seated side by side, dressed in full military regalia from the 1850s. The officers, tentatively identified as members of the 71st New York Volunteers, wear double-breasted uniforms adorned with epaulettes and cross-belts, all accented with gilded highlights that add depth and distinction to the image. The meticulous craftsmanship of the daguerreotype, attributed to the well-known photographer Rufus Anson, offers a vivid glimpse into the pre-Civil War military tradition.