Image: Soldiers of Co. D, 1st Rhode Island Infantry

Albumen print possibly by Alexander Gardner of Washington, D.C. A group from the company strike a seemingly serious pose with pipes and cards to stave off the monotony of life at Camp Sprague. (Courtesy of Military Images Magazine/Library of Congress)

Albumen print possibly by Alexander Gardner of Washington, D.C. Cigars and pipes dominate the playful scene which includes an especially animated pose of the trio of soldiers standing at the corner of the barracks. Also of note is the presence of African Americans. The two men of color, one pictured in each portrait, may have been employed as servants. The stoic woman staring straight at the camera may have cleaned the barracks. Company D, and its brother Company C, were originally raised in Providence as the “First Light Infantry.” (Courtesy of Military Images Magazine/Library of Congress)