Please Help Identify This Soldier

[Discipulus]

I have four ancestors this could possibly:

1) The first was an ancestor in the 33rd Illinois Infantry, who mustered in as a Sgt. and mustered out a Capt.
2) The second was an ancestor in the 33rd Ill Infantry, who according to records never made it to private, died tragically in an accident less than six weeks after muster while still ranked a recruit.
3) The third was a Hospital Steward in the 2nd Iowa Cavalry. He reached the rank of corporal. I am pretty sure he was a Quaker and am not sure he would have posed with a gun and ammo bag.
4) Finally, was an ancestor who was a private in the 8th Ill Cavalry. He enlisted late in 1864 and spent the entire war as a guard in Washington, DC.

Would the fancy piping on the uniform mean cavalry? Any other clues? You folks are the experts. Thanks.

I uploaded a high res scan. hopefully you can click on the thumbnail to produce it.

 

[Moonshiner]

I can't help, but good luck! Someone with amazing skills will be along shortly......

 

[Cumpston1862]

Further research could help narrow it down. But some quick observations may help with the process. Looking at the picture blown up the soldier appears to be wearing an early war issue Illinois state type jacket. The cap appears to have a brass letter "B" or possibly "H" on it. This would be for the company designation. The accouterments are those of an infantryman. Often times a soldier would have props at the photographer's studio to use but why would a cavalryman pose with infantryman's gear? So most likely this soldier is an infantryman. Probably the biggest clue of all is the age of this soldier. He is not some 16-18 year old kid but someone older. I am guessing this man is more in the age range of 25-30 years old. Taking some of this information into account and doing some further research should help you on narrowing down this man's identity.