A young Union soldier occupies the full frame of this sixth plate tintype, seated in a three-quarter pose that conveys quiet confidence. The image was produced during the Civil War era, most likely between 1861 and 1865, when the tintype format was widely favored for its durability and low cost among enlisted men. No photographer's imprint is visible, and the subject remains unidentified.

The soldier wears a dark blue frock coat with a double row of brass buttons running the full length of the front, with a high-collared design consistent with Union infantry dress. A billed forage cap sits slightly forward on his head, and his light-colored trousers contrast sharply with the dark coat. He rests his right arm on an ornate upholstered chair with a carved wooden frame and red floral fabric, his gaze directed slightly above the camera with a steady, composed expression.

Tintypes of this period were commonly made for soldiers to send home before deployment, and the formality of the full uniform here suggests the portrait was taken near the start of the subject's service. The sixth plate format sits within a period mat and decorative gilt frame with a scalloped cartouche border, presented uncased as viewed.