Gettysburg Greg
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2010
- Location
- Decatur, Illinois
Here is another detail I found in the background of two famous photographs that has nothing to do with the battle, but I find quite interesting. While checking out background details contained in Gardner's iconic photographs taken during the National Cemetery Dedication on November 19, 1863, I noticed that many people seen in the crowd appeared to be looking at and in some cases posing for Gardner's camera. In particular I noticed a young boy dressed in his finest Sunday suit, looking directly into the camera with his hands in his pockets and his hat strategically tipped to one side, in the words of Carly Simon. I was then surprised to find the same young man, again posing in a second Gardner image from that historic day. This time his pose was much more dramatic as he had "borrowed" a Springfield rifle from one of the soldiers awaiting Lincoln's speech and appears to be performing a perfect "order arms" while looking directly into Gardner's camera. Not only did this young fellow witness history that day, he became part of it.