GRAPHIC Dead at Petersburg

[civilwarincolor]

This is another image from "Blood and Glory". A lot of these images went by very quickly on the show, so this is an opportunity to view it in more detail.

 

[FZ11]

Pitiful,isn't it?

 

[yankee hoorah]

The dead at Ft. Mahone are the best images of late war rebs we have. They give you a great idea of how they looked.

 

[PeterT]

This is another image from "Blood and Glory". A lot of these images when by very quickly on the show, so this is an opportunity to view it in more detail.

Sad isn't it? When I look at this I think someone has placed his arms just so. And his pocket has been turned inside out. For identification perhaps?

 

[civilwarincolor]

The dead at Ft. Mahone are the best images of late war rebs we have. They give you a great idea of how they looked.

It is sad that this is the best we have of the day to day Confederates for that time period. The Union soldiers are so well covered, but the Confederates really could not consider photography at this point. The TV show had me work on a large number of dead bodies, so there will be more to come. They used it in the 3rd or 4th hour to talk about the effect of the war.

 

[civilwarincolor]

Sad isn't it? When I look at this I think someone has placed his arms just so. And his pocket has been turned inside out. For identification perhaps?

If you didn't know better you think the guy was just taking a nap. Very sad.

As for his pockets, if you notice his jacket coat is all unbuttoned as well. I suspect that a soldier, or perhaps the photographers staff went through his clothes for valuables. While identification was important, there was not as much concern for Confederates given, so I suspect it was more of theft.

Regarding the arms, I think this was the work of the photography staff. They had no problem posing or moving bodies, placing the arms would have not been a problem.

Did anybody notice what looks like a little comb at the bottom of the image in a line down from the elbow? Not sure what it is doing there.

 

[PeterT]

If you didn't know better you think the guy was just taking a nap. Very sad.

As for his pockets, if you notice his jacket coat is all unbuttoned as well. I suspect that a soldier, or perhaps the photographers staff went through his clothes for valuables. While identification was important, there was not as much concern for Confederates given, so I suspect it was more of theft.

Regarding the arms, I think this was the work of the photography staff. They had no problem posing or moving bodies, placing the arms would have not been a problem.

Did anybody notice what looks like a little comb at the bottom of the image in a line down from the elbow? Not sure what it is doing there.

Yes I see the comb object now. Wow. Theft? Of course one would like to think not but yes it is a likely/probable scenario. Again so sad.

 

[civilwarincolor]

Yes I see the comb object now. Wow. Theft? Of course one would like to think not but yes it is a likely/probable scenario. Again so sad.

There are lots of reports of theft from bodies. It is common of even the earliest images of soldiers that have died to see their pockets turned out. By this point in the war seeing and being near to death must have been relatively common, particularly for photographers that have no other way to capture images of Confederates. I don't think it was as much of lack of respect for the dead, but more likely he's not going to use what I find and if I don't take it the next guy will.

In this case since there is no weapon seen with the soldier it may have been one of his fellow Confederates that "relieved" him of any valuables, but it could have been a Union soldier or civilian as well.

 

[FarawayFriend]

First @civilwarincolor, I want to compliment you once more for your superb work! The different layers of sand look as if you could poke your fingers in them! And then, does it always have to be theft if a fellow Confederate searched the pockets? Couldn't it be that a friend searched for a watch or any other personal belongings to send back to the family? Or even for identifying purposes? They had no dog tags then, somehow they must have found out who the fallen men were.
You all are right: so sad. And thank you for bringing that to our attention once more! Over all the debates about strategy and numbers we must never forget the toll that had to be paid.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Majority of the dead photographed at Petersburg show evidence that the bodies have been looted... Most no longer are bearing their accoutrements, haversacks, canteens etc.... Most of the dead it has been noted are missing most of their coat buttons... apparently cut off by souvenir seekers... Especially if they are Confederate buttons... The image above still has his buttons... a HD image of this same photo revealed his coat used Federal Eagle buttons.... hence seems was of no collector interest, so apparently weren't bothered with....

Close up of the coat buttons (eagles)

Another image of the same subject.... notice someone has added a bayonet beside the body in this one.. not present in the other image...

 

[civilwarincolor]

First @civilwarincolor, I want to compliment you once more for your superb work! The different layers of dand look as if you could poke your fingers in them! And then, does it always have to be theft if a fellow Confederate searched the pockets. Couldn't it be that a friend sesrchrd for a wstch or any other personal belongings to send back to the family? Or even for identifying purposes? They had no dog tags then, somehow they must have found out who the fallen men were.
You all are right: so sad. And thank you for bringing that to our attention once more! Ovet all the debates about strategy and numbers we must never forget the toll that had to be paid.

Thank you for having faith in humanity and that there is a possible and viable noble reason for what we see. I was just sharing what I have seen from some of the written records that unfortunately many had less than honest reasons to check the body of a dead comrade or foe. I like to think that, in at least a few cases, you are correct.

 

[Aussie Billy Sherman]

Well he looks comfortable

 

[tonijustine]

For some reason, the colorized photos seem so much more intimate to me. It just hits me more than when I see a black and white photo that this was someone's son, husband, brother, father. It makes me uncomfortable, like I am spying on a private moment not for public consumption.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Yes, it is much more real... but I think if we look at these photos with respect as I think all of us without exception will, it is honorable to have a look. On the contrary, somehow I feel that our thoughts might help that these dead will be remembered. And that might even be a consolation for their descendants. Their sacrifice did not go unnoticed but still reminds us that war is terrible.

 

[civilwarincolor]

For some reason, the colorized photos seem so much more intimate to me. It just hits me more than when I see a black and white photo that this was someone's son, husband, brother, father. It makes me uncomfortable, like I am spying on a private moment not for public consumption.

Yes, it is much more real... but I think if we look at these photos with respect as I think all of us without exception will, it is honorable to have a look. On the contrary, somehow I feel that our thoughts might help that these dead will be remembered. And that might even be a consolation for their descendants. Their sacrifice did not go unnoticed but still reminds us that war is terrible.

Thank you both for your comments. To me both the B&W and the color images are and should be difficult to look at. When all of the images are of soldiers in their shiny new uniforms waving the flag (of either side) it is to easy to believe in war as an event without consequences.

I have done a number of images of the dead and they are my least favorite. Some of the ones I have coming up from the TV show are particularly graphic, but even ones of these that (other than the blood on the face) could be almost of someone sleeping are ones that I feel are important. I try to think of it this way, I did not take the photograph, but I can do my best to try an honor this soldier and give some respect for him and his family.

 

[StevenACole]

All I can think to say is a prayer, "Rest In Peace"; and thank-you for keeping the memory alive civilwarincolor!

 

[FarawayFriend]

All I can think to say is a prayer, "Rest In Peace"; and thank-you for keeping the memory alive civilwarincolor!

To that I do wholeheartedly agree!

 

[civilwarincolor]

All I can think to say is a prayer, "Rest In Peace"; and thank-you for keeping the memory alive civilwarincolor!

To that I do wholeheartedly agree!

Amen. I can only hope the family of these soldiers would be proud in my attempt to honor them for their sacrifice.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Amen. I can only hope the family of these soldiers would be proud in my attempt to honor them for their sacrifice.

I think that is something you can be absolutely sure of. You are keeping a candle burning for them somewhere.

 

[FZ11]

The gentleman was well dressed. Do we know if he was an officer? Perhaps the pockets were turned out and the jacket unbuttoned so looters would be less likely to disturb the gentleman.