The photograph titled “Sergeant of the 42nd Gordon Highlanders reading the Orders of the Day” was captured by the renowned photography partnership Hill & Adamson in April 1846. The image features a scene with a sergeant from the 42nd Gordon Highlanders, surrounded by fellow soldiers, engaged in the act of reading what appears to be a document or orders to his attentive comrades.
In the photograph, the soldiers are clad in their distinct military uniforms with dark jackets and tartan kilts, a hallmark of the Scottish Highland regiments. Their attire is complemented by the traditional high socks and patterned sporrans. Most of the soldiers are adorned with tall, dark feather bonnets adding to their regal and disciplined appearance. The sergeant, seated in the center, holds the attention of the standing soldiers, who seem to be listening intently to his words. The blur and soft focus common to early photography suggest movement and a candidness, capturing a moment of military life in the 19th century. Overall, there is a sense of authenticity and historical significance emanating from this early photographic work.