The document contains an ambrotype photograph from the Liljenquist Family Collection of an unidentified African American soldier in a Union uniform holding a rifle and revolver in front of a painted backdrop of weapons and an American flag. The source information indicates it was taken at Benton Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri. Students are prompted to observe details in the photo, reflect on what it depicts and what questions it raises about the role of African Americans in the Civil War, and consider further avenues for investigation into this topic.

1. Observe
Reflect
Question
Source information:
Source Type: Ambrotype
Location: Liljenquist Family Collection
of Civil War Photographs, Library of
Congress
Title: [Unidentified African American
soldier in Union uniform with a rifle
and revolver in front of painted
backdrop showing weapons and
American flag at Benton Barracks,
Saint Louis, Missouri]

2. Observe
•Identify 3 objects in the picture.
•What is the person wearing?
•Is this a photo or painting?
•Describe the background? What do
you notice about it?
Reflect
•What does the source information
tell me about the image?
•Write three questions you would
like to ask this person.
•Who is the intended audience?
•Based on what we are studying,
who might this person be?
•Tell a story from this image based
on what you see and what you
know about the Civil War.
Question
•Was this type of
imagery common in
the Civil War?
Why?
•Did African
Americans play a
significant role in
fighting the Civil
War?
Source information:
Source Type: Ambrotype
Location: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs, Library of Congress
Title: [Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with a rifle and revolver in front
of painted backdrop showing weapons and American flag at Benton Barracks, Saint Louis,
Missouri]

3. Further Investigation
Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced