This portrait is part of a series of images I have been photographing with Civil War re enactors.
This particular re enactor was photographed in Sharpsburg, Maryland, at the reenactment of the Battle of Antietam/Battle of Sharpsburg.
Some re enactors portray real notable historical figures, and attempt to completely fill their roles, going beyond mere physical resemblance. They study old photographs as well as writings, aiming to adopt the character traits and personality of their character. They are often portraying famous people. Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, etc.
However, other re enactors are more interested in the day to day lives of normal people that are often rendered anonymous by history. The private that marched the 20 miles as opposed to the General that rode the 20 miles, for example. This man is one of those re enactors. He is a Confederate soldier.