The Battle of Gettysburg
The Civil War was the first conflict to be documented on film and early photographers captured thousands of images of the tragedies of war. On the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, here is a look back at the photographs that first exposed the greater public to the grim realities of the battlefield. (Published July 1, 2013.)
This image by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, titled "A Harvest of Death," is one of the most iconic photographs from the Civil War.
Shot after the Battle of Gettysburg on July 4, 1863, the picture was included in "Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War," published in 1865.
Veteran
In this photo titled "The Hero of Gettysburg," Civil War veteran John L. Burns sits in a rocking chair outside of his cottage, with gun and crutches nearby, July 1863.
General Meade
A portrait of General George Gordon Meade, who famously led Union troops into victory at the battle of Gettysburg.
General Lee
A portrait of General Robert E. Lee who led the Confederate troops at Gettysburg.
War Dead
On the Battlefield at Gettysburg, bodies of Union soldiers that were killed during battle in Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863.
Battlefield Photo
"Home of a Rebel sharpshooter," 1863. One of the first iconic shots of war, this image, which depicts a rebel sharpshooter lying on the ground behind a wall of stones, was also one of the first examples of a manipulated documentary image. Historians have determined that Gardner, working alongside photographers Timothy O'Sullivan and James Gibson, added the rifle to this shot and moved the body of the dead soldier to intensify the composition of the photograph.
General Early
Confederate General Jubal Early. On July 2, 1863, Early assaulted East Cemetery Hill. He almost overran union defenders of that central position but Union reinforcements repulsed Early's brigades.
Maj. Gen. Chamberlain
A portrait of Maj. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain, officer of the Federal Army. Chamberlain, a college professor, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry at Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg.
POWs
Three Confederate Prisoners, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1863.
Little Round Top
View of Little Round Top, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1863.
Rebels
Two rows of dead Confederate soldiers are gathered for burial at the southwestern edge of the Rose Woods in Gettysburg, July 5, 1863.
Culp's Hill
A view of Culp's Hill at the Gettysburg battlefield, ca. 1861-1865.
War Dead
Confederate Dead at the Edge of the Rose Woods, Gettysburg, Pa., July 5, 1863.
Battlefield
The Valley of the Shadow of Death. Between Round Top and Little Round Top, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1863.
Gettysburg
A general view of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1863.
Field Hospital
General Hospital, Gettysburg, August 1863.
Site of Gettysburg Address
A scene from Gettysburg, Pa. on Nov. 19, 1863, the day that President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous address during the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Gettysburg Address
A crowd gathered for Lincoln's address at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery, Nov. 19, 1863.
Soldier's National Monument
Men gather at Gettysburg, Pa. for the laying of the cornerstone of the Soldier's National Monument on the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1865.