A young Union musician holds a valved bugle across his lap in this ninth plate ruby ambrotype, dating to the Civil War era of the 1860s. The ruby-tinted backing glass gives the image its characteristic warm tone, and the photograph is housed in an embossed leather case with a brass clasp and decorative gilt mat framing an oval aperture. No photographer's imprint is present.

The subject wears a dark Union frock coat with a double row of buttons down the front and shoulder straps visible at both epaulettes. His expression is direct and composed, his short dark hair parted to one side, and he grips the bugle firmly with both hands at roughly a 45-degree angle across his body, the bell of the instrument extending to his right.

Musicians occupied a critical role in Civil War military operations, with buglers and horn players responsible for transmitting battlefield commands across infantry and cavalry units. The valved instrument held here is consistent with field cornets or over-the-shoulder bugles commonly carried by regimental musicians during the conflict.

The interior of the case retains its original rust-orange embossed velvet pad opposite the image. No inscriptions or identifying notations are present on the case or reverse.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer