Okay, maybe that was a little sensationalist. But, there may be something intriguing here nonetheless. This NARA image of Fairfax Court House tends to appear with attribution to Timothy O'Sullivan and dated June 1863, but I'm sure that's at least partially incorrect:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fairfax_Court_House,_Va_-_NARA_-_528872.tif
For comparison, check out this June 1863 O'Sullivan image of the same location and angle:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fairfax_Court_House,_Va_-_NARA_-_530399.tif
Note that in the 2nd image, the building shows the ravages of wartime occupation--the shutters, fence rails, and the wood frame near the well (a garden plot?) that appear in #1 have been removed, likely for firewood. Also, the lattice above the well and the slats in the cupola are gone. The foliage is also different enough to suggest that there are (at the very least) months between these two images. So...when was #1 taken?
Here's one clue I found online (via Cowan's auctions):
Expired Image Removed
This CDV of #1 is dated 1862, so the photograph has to be 1861-1862. But when? The lushness of the tress and the appearance of the men pictured says spring or summer to me. But most of Brady's images from that period follow the AoTP during the Peninsula Campaign. Of course, this could have been taken a member of Brady's team. O'Sullivan himself was in VA starting in July 1862. Maybe he returned in '63 and specifically chose the angle for #2 to show the changes wrought by a year of war. Anyway, I'm curious to hear what people think. There are some great details here, and intriguing clues including light (gray?) Union uniforms and some zouaves on the rooftop. Could this have actually been taken by Brady in July 1861 during the Bull Run campaign? It seems far-fetched, but who knows...
The guy at bottom right screams "Fire Zouave" to me but that's just what I want to believe:
Note the many dark blue trousers (not uncommon for '62 either) and the light, possibly gray uniforms on the right. There's another fellow in what looks like a gray fatigue blouse (8th NY Militia? --okay, I'm reaching) just left of where I cropped it. Also, note the civilians. Brady urged his fellow journalists to wear all white during the 1st Bull Run Campaign (as he himself did), ostensibly to emphasize their "purity" (ha!). Again, just saying:
Like I said, it's probably 1862. But maybe... What do you guys think?
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fairfax_Court_House,_Va_-_NARA_-_528872.tif
For comparison, check out this June 1863 O'Sullivan image of the same location and angle:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fairfax_Court_House,_Va_-_NARA_-_530399.tif
Note that in the 2nd image, the building shows the ravages of wartime occupation--the shutters, fence rails, and the wood frame near the well (a garden plot?) that appear in #1 have been removed, likely for firewood. Also, the lattice above the well and the slats in the cupola are gone. The foliage is also different enough to suggest that there are (at the very least) months between these two images. So...when was #1 taken?
Here's one clue I found online (via Cowan's auctions):
Expired Image Removed
This CDV of #1 is dated 1862, so the photograph has to be 1861-1862. But when? The lushness of the tress and the appearance of the men pictured says spring or summer to me. But most of Brady's images from that period follow the AoTP during the Peninsula Campaign. Of course, this could have been taken a member of Brady's team. O'Sullivan himself was in VA starting in July 1862. Maybe he returned in '63 and specifically chose the angle for #2 to show the changes wrought by a year of war. Anyway, I'm curious to hear what people think. There are some great details here, and intriguing clues including light (gray?) Union uniforms and some zouaves on the rooftop. Could this have actually been taken by Brady in July 1861 during the Bull Run campaign? It seems far-fetched, but who knows...
The guy at bottom right screams "Fire Zouave" to me but that's just what I want to believe:
Note the many dark blue trousers (not uncommon for '62 either) and the light, possibly gray uniforms on the right. There's another fellow in what looks like a gray fatigue blouse (8th NY Militia? --okay, I'm reaching) just left of where I cropped it. Also, note the civilians. Brady urged his fellow journalists to wear all white during the 1st Bull Run Campaign (as he himself did), ostensibly to emphasize their "purity" (ha!). Again, just saying:
Like I said, it's probably 1862. But maybe... What do you guys think?
Last edited: