Wearing the M1839 pattern hat and a later style frock coat; he wears trousers with a single large stripe at the seam. At his waist is the rare M1849 Rifleman's knife made by Ames under contract expressly for the Regiment of Mounted Rifles in 1849 along with a civilian pepperbox revolver. He holds a M1841 Mississippi rifle complete with sling. In a half case. Written in period ink behind the plate is the following: Charles E. Alexander. King Georg County Virginia. Taken on his way to California, April 1849. The daguerreotype was likely taken in St. Louis while the regiment was posted to Jefferson Barracks recruiting and awaiting orders for the Oregon Trail.
Condition: Plate resealed. Vertical plate wipes visible on either side of the figure.