Sergeant-Major of Cavalry, United States Army, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This is a promotional trading card made in 1886 by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, part of a series advertising Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It features a Sergeant-Major of Cavalry in the United States Army. These cards reflect a society grappling with its identity in the aftermath of the Civil War and during the Indian Wars. The idealized depiction of military figures served to bolster national pride. But this pride often came at the expense of marginalized groups. The image reinforces notions of masculinity and valor, central to military culture, and glosses over the complexities and brutalities of warfare. These cards were widely circulated, shaping perceptions of American identity and military service. They also offer insight into the ways in which commercial interests intertwined with cultural narratives during this period. The card becomes a small but telling artifact of its time, a reminder of the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, and who we aspire to be.