I’ve noticed that there seem to be some Civil War / Military History Buffs lurking around the forums. Tonight I was preparing some material for class & thought that some of you might enjoy a little Civil War photography. If anyone is interested there are several books by W. Frassanito (Early Photography of Gettysburg, Gettysburg: A Journey Through Time, etc.) that in my opinion are like taking a trip in a time machine. The author spent a number of years researching Civil War photography. In addition to clarifying & organizing a vast array of photographic history, he also spent time searching for the locations & taking modern day photos. He then compiled the info in the books mentioned above. Being a history buff myself, I’ve spent time in Gettysburg looking for & photographing some of these locations. One of the great things about Gettysburg is that much of the battlefield has not been significantly altered since 1863. It is one of the few historical sites that I’ve found capable of “transporting me back into timeâ€. That is if you can ignore the historical markers. The original 1863 photo by Gardner was probably taken on July 6 or 7th 1863. The photo shows 2 dead Confederate soldiers in the Slaughter Pen area. The site is adjacent Devil’s Den. The 2 soldiers were probably members of the 44th or 48th Alabama Infantry, killed during the struggle for the Den on July 2, 1863. As you can see from the modern photo, the location of this photo exists as it did then, virtually unchanged. If you look closely you can even see the same creases in the boulders.
Civil War History
- Thread starter Doug S
- Start date
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Doug --
P95Carry wrote a very, very useful page about posting images that you can find at http://www.bedford.net/design/img_matters/
Thanks for posting those.
pax
Forget it. No Civil War picture ever made a nickel. -- MGM executive, advising against investing in Gone With The Wind
P95Carry wrote a very, very useful page about posting images that you can find at http://www.bedford.net/design/img_matters/
Thanks for posting those.
pax
Forget it. No Civil War picture ever made a nickel. -- MGM executive, advising against investing in Gone With The Wind
The reason Gettysburg has remained unchanged is because not long after the war it was made into a Nation Park. Several of the survivors banded together and fought to preserve it for us today. There are many others in Va, Tenn, Ga, and other states, but they are losing lands and civilization is encroaching in on them. Gettysburg has a sizeable budget for it's upkeep, but the others are struggling to even stay open.
tiberius
Member
I think some more recent studio execs said the same thing about "Jesus pictures"
cookhj
Member
there's a book called something like Gettysburg: Then and Now and it's got pictures of roght after the battle, and modern shots. i've been to all of them quite a few times. it's pretty freaky going to some of the places. it's nice living in VA because i'm so close to many of the battlefields.
Valkman
Member
Well, unless you count all the fast food places that stand on the battlefield.
I've only been there once, and only for one day. I hired a guide who drove my rental car and he turned a 1 1/2 hour tour into a 3 1/2 hour tour when he saw how much I was into it. One of the best days I've ever had, and I sure want to go back!
I find every aspect of Gettysburg fascinating, and mostly concentrate on the second day as being the most crucial to setting up the final Confederate defeat.
didn't know?
Did anyone else catch the program on the history channel with Roger Daltry? They had a segment about Cival War Photgraphers etc. I didn't know but they said quite a few of the shots you see of dead soldiers at Gettyburg were posed that way after the fact. A couple of the more famous shots the bodies were actually drug back into place after the field had been cleaned up. Also some "props" like rifles and such were placed in the pics too -often times being the wrong rifle/soldier match!
Did anyone else catch the program on the history channel with Roger Daltry? They had a segment about Cival War Photgraphers etc. I didn't know but they said quite a few of the shots you see of dead soldiers at Gettyburg were posed that way after the fact. A couple of the more famous shots the bodies were actually drug back into place after the field had been cleaned up. Also some "props" like rifles and such were placed in the pics too -often times being the wrong rifle/soldier match!
The book entitled "Gettysburg: Then & Now" & its companion are extremely condensed versions of the originals designed as carry along travel guides. Much of the battlefield was indeed protected soon after the battle (late 1860's through 1880's) & yes the most disturbed section of the battlefield is the center of the line (Cemetery Ridge) where the visitor center, fast food, etc are located. They are now in the process of relocating the visitor center and trying to recreate the landscape in this area to its original 1863 state. Otherwise much of the battlefield is unchanged, with the most significance difference in other areas of the field being that there are many more trees. Gettysburg is most definitely a fascinating landscape. It is a shame that many battlefields around the country are in danger.
IAJack, the famous picture of the sniper in Devils Den is the posed scene that you speak off. The soldier was actually killed in the triangular field about 70 yards away from this location. They also captured a photo of this soldier in his original fallen position. Some of the others doctored scenes that you might of heard of is the picture that shows a fallen soldier with his mid-section blown open & his hand laying next to him. Also in the picture is a artillery shell. The soldier actually was killed in this area, but the gaping hold in his mid-section was probably caused by roaming livestock (pigs) following the battle. Also a particular rifle was also used in a number of shots because by the time the earliest photographers had arrived on the field, most of the firearms had been picked up. For the most part though, inconsistencies in the photos were not that they were staged, but that the same photos were often captioned in different history books as being from different battlefields. Also most of the Gettysburg death studies are of Confederate soldiers, while only a few are of Union soldiers. The northerners were buried first of course (by the victors), & some of the captioned history book photos mistakenly identify additional soldiers as being Union. This is what makes Frassanito's work so valuable, he's done the detective work for us. Well I really should get back to work. Have a nice day, Doug.
WVleo
Member
War Between the States !!
Hi, Frassanito also did a Antietam book, which shows the house that I work in Daily located at the middle bridge in Sharpsburg, Md . The Newcomer House Antietam Battlefield Museum . It's open to the public free weekends . But if any of you guys are open to a week day date , Let Me know , group tour of Antietam( Nothing orginized just a group of C.W. buffs ) . We found a hip-joint on the property with saw marks about 2" above the joint . My wife located a tooth by the well . House was used for surgery during the battle . Visitors taking photos of the upstairs of the house are finding " orbs " in the photos . Single bloodiest day in American History . Anybody interested e-mail Me at [email protected] and we can come up with a mutual day . Maybe I can ask 1 of the local re-enactor/historians to give us the play by play so to speak . Only expense other than gas, would be lunch $( $5-$6 for Me anyways, but I tip well LOL ) at the red bird diner for those that would care to go . Could be a cool day ! If anyone is interested Let Me know .
This is NOT a commercial venture, just 1 person extending a invitation to a group of guys ( and gals, opps sorry ) to spend a day in HISTORY !!
From the Homer Simpson Of museum curators thanks WVleo
Hi, Frassanito also did a Antietam book, which shows the house that I work in Daily located at the middle bridge in Sharpsburg, Md . The Newcomer House Antietam Battlefield Museum . It's open to the public free weekends . But if any of you guys are open to a week day date , Let Me know , group tour of Antietam( Nothing orginized just a group of C.W. buffs ) . We found a hip-joint on the property with saw marks about 2" above the joint . My wife located a tooth by the well . House was used for surgery during the battle . Visitors taking photos of the upstairs of the house are finding " orbs " in the photos . Single bloodiest day in American History . Anybody interested e-mail Me at [email protected] and we can come up with a mutual day . Maybe I can ask 1 of the local re-enactor/historians to give us the play by play so to speak . Only expense other than gas, would be lunch $( $5-$6 for Me anyways, but I tip well LOL ) at the red bird diner for those that would care to go . Could be a cool day ! If anyone is interested Let Me know .
This is NOT a commercial venture, just 1 person extending a invitation to a group of guys ( and gals, opps sorry ) to spend a day in HISTORY !!
From the Homer Simpson Of museum curators thanks WVleo
Jake
Member
I just picked up that Antietam book a few weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to read it yet though.
I recall reading or hearing that after the Civil War, the Federal Government had over a million photographs taken during and after the war. Photos at that time were taken on glass plates. The government at the time was about as stupid and shortsighted as it is now(Somethings never change). They refused to appropriate money to store and catolog the photos and sold them at public auction. Most were scraped clean and used for greenhouses. Who knows what national treasures were lost.
Wvleo, sounds like a great offer. Unfortunately I’ve been struggling with a bone infection in my foot for most of the last year, & I’m not currently as mobile as I’d like to be. Even so (& to the great annoyance of my wife) I most definitely plan (God Willing) on making a trip to Sharpsburg/Antietam in the next couple of months. The Antietam book will be my first purchase. I’ve heard some nice things about the town, also that it is an oft overlooked cultural resource. Maybe we will bump (limp) into each other come June or July. I would most definitely enjoy talking to you & getting a tour of your museum. I’ve been to Antietam only one other time while en route to a family reunion in Virginia. Did a quick once over. Maybe an Antietam/Gettysburg week or two is in order this summer. Again thanks for the offer.
KyLarry, yes I’ve heard that a lot of the photos were sold/lost. In fact Frassanito talks in his book of occasional treasures found in dusty attics.
Antietam
Hey stranger, why d`ya come here?
What brings you to this place?
Looks like you travelled many miles,
For weary, lines your face.
Do I know you? Are we kinfolk?
Do we both share a name?
Is that my friend what brings you here
To stand in Sunken Lane?
1. Was on that rise they did appear,
Those Irish boys so brave,
And as we saw their buckle`s bright
We fired the leaden wave.
With heavy heart I watched them fall,
Such slaughter never seen,
But still they came, those Irishmen
Beneath their flag of green.
So soon the whip did change of hand
As death rained from the sky.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,
Just wait your turn to die.
That sunken road awash with blood,
As men lay all askew
And I was there upon that day,
Thank God my friend not you.
It`s time to go my special friend
Back to your home so fine,
To tell them all of how it was,
Our story, yours and mine.
Remember us in time to come,
Weighed down beneath your load,
For we were there, at Antietum,
Along that sunken road.
KyLarry, yes I’ve heard that a lot of the photos were sold/lost. In fact Frassanito talks in his book of occasional treasures found in dusty attics.
Antietam
Hey stranger, why d`ya come here?
What brings you to this place?
Looks like you travelled many miles,
For weary, lines your face.
Do I know you? Are we kinfolk?
Do we both share a name?
Is that my friend what brings you here
To stand in Sunken Lane?
1. Was on that rise they did appear,
Those Irish boys so brave,
And as we saw their buckle`s bright
We fired the leaden wave.
With heavy heart I watched them fall,
Such slaughter never seen,
But still they came, those Irishmen
Beneath their flag of green.
So soon the whip did change of hand
As death rained from the sky.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,
Just wait your turn to die.
That sunken road awash with blood,
As men lay all askew
And I was there upon that day,
Thank God my friend not you.
It`s time to go my special friend
Back to your home so fine,
To tell them all of how it was,
Our story, yours and mine.
Remember us in time to come,
Weighed down beneath your load,
For we were there, at Antietum,
Along that sunken road.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2002
- Messages
- 22,505
Who says that Civil War pictures never made a nickel? Heck, I paid some bucks to get reproduction rights to photographs of two famous sharpshooters. One photo is well known (California Joe or Truman Head of Berdan's Sharp Shooters) and the other one isn't (but the person is).
Oh, we're talking about talkies, color talkies. Gettysburg made some bucks and while Gods 'n Generals flopped at the box office, it made up for it in DVD sales.
Oh, we're talking about talkies, color talkies. Gettysburg made some bucks and while Gods 'n Generals flopped at the box office, it made up for it in DVD sales.
Civil War
I'm a JROTC Instructor in a High School, I just finished up a three week group study from north and south perspectives on the battle of Shiloh. Study ended with a all day long guided tour of the battlefield. Took 47 kids with me, 10th and 11th graders. Walked entire battlefield. Most likely will do Chicamauga next year.
rk
I'm a JROTC Instructor in a High School, I just finished up a three week group study from north and south perspectives on the battle of Shiloh. Study ended with a all day long guided tour of the battlefield. Took 47 kids with me, 10th and 11th graders. Walked entire battlefield. Most likely will do Chicamauga next year.
rk
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