Gettysburg: The Ghastly Dead

[Aimless Lee]

Hey gang, I really appreciate the comments! If anyone is interested in seeing the 2nd part of the video here is the link:

However, just the like first one, YouTube put an age restriction on it, so you need to be signed in to YouTube to view it.

 

[Mrs. V]

Very Nicely done. I bet, there are bones in animal burrows, bear dwellings etc. Nature has a way of recycling things. In some ways, it makes thier sacrifice all that more meaningful, as even in death they were in service to others.

 

[Lubliner]

A really good presentation. Thank you so much @Aimless Lee.
Lubliner.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I can't be the only one who noticed that poor fella with his pants down in the row of bodies in the one photo(one the left end of the row.) or am I seeing things? Couldn't they at least pull the man's pants up?

It's kinda weird knowing we reenact on these fields. We literally might be playing war on someone's grave. Yikes.

 

[Lincoln56]

I can't be the only one who noticed that poor fella with his pants down in the row of bodies in the one photo(one the left end of the row.) or am I seeing things? Couldn't they at least pull the man's pants up?

It's kinda weird knowing we reenact on these fields. We literally might be playing war on someone's grave. Yikes.

This unfortunate man was briefly mentioned in William Frassanito's book, either 'Journey in Time' or 'Early Photographs'. Author Jack Kunkel talks about him a bit more in his 'Gettysburg Photos Colorized' book.

I view this as illustrative of how truly disagreeable and disgusting the task of organizing bodies for burial must have been; that those that moved him wouldn't take the short amount of time to pull the pants up and provide some dignity to this man. Imagine they couldn't get away from the overall task quickly enough.

Here he will be, presented forever in this condition, to anyone viewing these photos.

 

[Lincoln56]

It's kinda weird knowing we reenact on these fields. We literally might be playing war on someone's grave. Yikes.

I've had a similar thought walking these battlefields that I may unknowingly be walking on battlefield graves - which makes the phrase 'Hallowed Ground' resonate so much more.

 

[Aimless Lee]

I can't be the only one who noticed that poor fella with his pants down in the row of bodies in the one photo(one the left end of the row.) or am I seeing things? Couldn't they at least pull the man's pants up?

It's kinda weird knowing we reenact on these fields. We literally might be playing war on someone's grave. Yikes.

I found that photo to be horrifying, but also grim reminder that war is hell. I was doing everything possible not to glorify what had happened to those left behind. Just imagining what those soldiers went through in the final moments of their lives really gave me a new appreciation for the battlefield.

While researching these videos I found various reports on how many bodies still remain on the battlefield. They all seem speculative and so I didn't want to potentially spread bad information by giving a specific number. But if I had to guess... (and please don't hold me to this number) I'd estimate there are 500-600 bodies still on the battlefield. If anyone else has more reliable numbers, I'd love to hear them.

 

[Aimless Lee]

This unfortunate man was briefly mentioned in William Frassanito's book, either 'Journey in Time' or 'Early Photographs'. Author Jack Kunkel talks about him a bit more in his 'Gettysburg Photos Colorized' book.

Thanks for this information. I have a few of William Frassanito's books and will have to look them up to see what I can find about this poor unfortunate soul.

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

I can't be the only one who noticed that poor fella with his pants down in the row of bodies in the one photo(one the left end of the row.) or am I seeing things? Couldn't they at least pull the man's pants up?

It's kinda weird knowing we reenact on these fields. We literally might be playing war on someone's grave. Yikes.

It looked like his left leg (right, the photo) got partially severed and they pulled his pants off to maybe inspect and stabilize the wound until he could get to the rear, and he didn't make it. That's what it looks like to me.

 

[Mrs. V]

I can't be the only one who noticed that poor fella with his pants down in the row of bodies in the one photo(one the left end of the row.) or am I seeing things? Couldn't they at least pull the man's pants up?

It's kinda weird knowing we reenact on these fields. We literally might be playing war on someone's grave. Yikes.

Saw that too.."is that a bumm? Yup" there is no dignity in death.

 

[Aimless Lee]

Thanks to Lincoln56, I tracked down my copy of William Frassanito's 'Gettysburg: A Journey in Time'. Attached is a image from page 215 describing the scene.

(I hope its ok to post an excerpt from the book, if not then moderators feel free to remove.)

 

[Noonanda]

It looked like his left leg (right, the photo) got partially severed and they pulled his pants off to maybe inspect and stabilize the wound until he could get to the rear, and he didn't make it. That's what it looks like to me.

I thought the same thing as well. But yeah the popping of buttons was a well known issue

 

[Lincoln56]

The consequent bloating due to gases and the popped buttons would have rendered any attempts to remedy the situation difficult or impossible. One can only hope this was the explanation as to why the man's trousers were left as they appear in the photograph as opposed to uncaring hands being involved. Regardless, the result was truly unfortunate for this man.

The assault on all the senses had to render those involved with these burial preparationss reeling in horror and beyond numb.

 

[Lubliner]

I can't help but think how distasteful their job would have been, and a bare rump probably didn't give them a moment's real notice, or they would have thrown a coat or some blanket over it. They were not out there lining them up for the camera. It just so happened the scene was captured on glass plate negative.
Lubliner.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Thanks to Lincoln56, I tracked down my copy of William Frassanito's 'Gettysburg: A Journey in Time'. Attached is a image from page 215 describing the scene.

(I hope its ok to post an excerpt from the book, if not then moderators feel free to remove.)

View attachment 426859

That makes a lot of sense. It seems weird, that's the one thing that stood out to me, but I suppose I was a bit insulted on the man's behalf. Talk about adding insult to injury, ya know?

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

This is an outstanding piece of work. The production quality of this video is excellent. We Guides often tell visitors that the ground on which they are walking on the battlefield is in reality a cemetery because the likelihood is that bodies do remain under the soil. Ending the video with that was perfect.

The evidence for a female body among the Confederate dead at Gettysburg can be found in the Official Reports. A report dated July 17, 1863 by Brig. Gen. William Hays (Commanding Second Corps) states the numbers of both Union and Confederate dead buried by his command at Gettysburg. On the Unions side he reported 18 Officers and 369 enlisted men; on the Confederate side he reported 60 officers and 1,182 enlisted men. Just below his tabular report he placed "REMARKS -- One female (private), in rebel uniform."

It is good to bear in mind that the graves in the field across which the so called Pickett's Charge was made include soldiers killed in the fighting of the second day of the battle. It should also be remembered that Pickett commanded less than half the Confederates engaged in the assault on the afternoon of the third day of the battle.

 

[Lincoln56]

the so called Pickett's Charge

I favor "Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge". Though inaccurate, I understand the use of the shorter "Pickett's Charge".

 

[Aimless Lee]

This is an outstanding piece of work. The production quality of this video is excellent. We Guides often tell visitors that the ground on which they are walking on the battlefield is in reality a cemetery because the likelihood is that bodies do remain under the soil. Ending the video with that was perfect.

Thank you so much for the kind words! I really enjoyed working on these videos and would love to make more, but the severe restrictions YouTube put on them really dampened my enthusiasm; those restrictions ensure that very few people will ever see these videos. But I really appreciate everyone on here taking the time to watch and leave a friendly comment. That means a lot! Thank you everyone!

 

[Sbc]

I found the same problem when I read Frassanito's two books, the first on Antietam and then Gettysburg. I found it impossible to delve for any period of time without having to look away.
Lubliner.

Just finished his Antietam work. Powerful impact for sure. Read it in chapter increments to let it sink in.