Confederates Before A Union Camera

[ikesdad]

So, can anyone tell what time or part of the day these were taken ? The shadows are not long, but not short either.

 

[RobertP]

Wow! Just found that the other photo of Capt. Govan is in The Photographic History of the Civil War, vol. 9: https://archive.org/stream/photographichist09mill#page/194/mode/2up

View attachment 181095

Letter from Brig. Gen. Wm. Barksdale to J.A. Seddon, Sec. of War, 3/19/1863.

Sir:
I desire to present to the consideration of the Department for promotion, Capt. A. R. Govan of my Brigade.

Capt. Govan has served since the commencement of the war, as Lieutenant, Adjutant of the 19th, and Captain of one of the companies in the 17th Miss. Regiment, and in each of these positions he has acquitted himself with marked efficiency and ability. Prompt and energetic himself, and thoroughly acquainted with the duties of a soldier, his Company is well trained and disciplined. He has peculiar powers for commanding men, and at once wins their confidence and respect. In every respect he is an accomplished officer. During the bombardment of Fredricksburg, he commanded at one of the outposts, and repeatedly, with a small force, drove back the enemy, exhibiting the greatest possible coolness and courage, and retiring only when he was ordered to do so. (My add: while contesting the river crossings)

Looking to the interest of the service, Capt. Govan should have a higher command. His services in the field, and his superior abilities as an officer, in my judgement, eminently entitle him to it, and I cannot too cordially and earnestly commend him to the favorable consideration of the Department.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Svt.

Wm. Barksdale
Brig General

Capt. Govan never got that promotion. Gen. Barksdale would be killed near Gettysburg's Plum Run at the end of his famous charge on July 2. Govan would suffer a mortal wound 5 months later while temporarily in command of the 17th in the assault at Snodgrass Hill at Chickamauga. He died 3 weeks later and is buried at Hill Crest Cemetery, Holly Springs, Miss.

 

[chubachus]

Unfortunately, it appears WRHS has yet to make high resolution/uncropped scans of the two fairly recently discovered photos of Confederates posing at the end of the bridge in that post available on their website. I really want to know what is going on in the rest of those photos!

Another new photo of Confederates posing around the end of the bridge probably taken on the same day surfaced in the Blue and Gray in Black and White:

Source.

There are also probably a few more Confederates lurking around in the second photo on that page. It is hard to tell with a low resolution version of the image.

 

[chubachus]

Higher-resolution version of the photo I linked to above:

Might have been the first photo taken in the series. I see maybe 3-4 blurry Confederates.

Source.