'From life, taken at Baton Rouge, La, April 2nd, 1863'.
On the reverse of the abolistionist propaganda photograph of escaped slave Gordon there is the following text:
Camp Parapet, La
Augst 4th 1893
Colonel
I have found a large number of the four hundred contrabands examined by me to be as badly lacerated as the specimen represented in the enclosed photograph.
Very respectfully yours
J W Mercer
Asst Surgeon 47th MV
Facsimile of original report to Col L B Marsh.