Corporal Israel Spotts, Company G, 200th Pennsylvania Volunteers 1865

This 1865 photograph by Reed Brockway Bontecou depicts Corporal Israel Spotts, a soldier in the 200th Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the American Civil War. The portrait, displayed in an oval frame, presents a close-up of Spotts's wounded back, showcasing the stark reality of war. The image's intimate scale and direct gaze of the subject offer a powerful and poignant glimpse into the physical and emotional toll of conflict. The photograph is a significant document of the Civil War and its impact on individuals. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the resilience of those who endured it.