Private Jacob F. Simmons, Company H, Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers 1865

This 1865 tintype portrait, created by artist Reed Brockway Bontecou, depicts Private Jacob F. Simmons of Company H, Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. The image shows Simmons in profile, showcasing the severe wounds he sustained during the American Civil War. The detail of the visible injuries in the portrait serves as a poignant reminder of the physical and psychological toll of the conflict. The intimate and somber tone of this work is characteristic of Civil War portraiture, which aimed to capture the individual stories of those impacted by the war. The image's small size and oval format also emphasize its personal and commemorative nature.