(MILITARY--CIVIL WAR.) Carte-de-visite of "Shade, the intelegent (sic) Contraband came into the lines at Washington, D.C. summer of 1863-He thinks he is about 3 years old." [caption in pencil on reverse]. Standard carte-de-visite; some toning and soiling with an abrasion to the top right corner of the photograph, not affecting the image. Np, circa 1863
A photograph of a young black man, who from both the note on the reverse and his appearance was probably somewhat mentally challenged. Whoever wrote the note on the reverse certainly was trying to make fun of this unfortunate man. Parts of Eastern North Carolina were in Union hands by the summer of 1863, confirming the note.
