Civil War Sites Then and Now

We have a good friend, Ken F., who has two big-time interests, sports and the Civil War. Ken and my husband talk for hours about sports, and Ken and I enjoy sharing CW books and discussions. Ken and his equally interesting wife, Eileen, recently made another trek to two of the most iconic CW battlefields in the East, Antietam, in Maryland, and Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania. One of his goals on such visits is to locate battle site views that still resemble today, as closely as possible, the incredible images that were captured by the great CW photographers in the 1860’s, minus the heartbreaking carnage, of course!  He recently agreed to be a guest photographer here on You’re History (thanks, Ken!), and it’s my pleasure to share his great photos and commentary with you.

Gettysburg: Little Round Top

“Then” photo by Timothy O’Sullivan.

Troops along the ridge line and slopes were the left wing of the Union, coming under attack from the Confederate right wing under Gen. James Longstreet, who were never able to capture this high ground. The area at the base of Little Round Top was know as “The Valley of Death”, as it was almost certain death crossing that area. This view is looking east. The famous stand of the Union 20th. Maine occured at the far right, upon the south slope of  the hill. Most of the fighting in this area happened during the second day of the three day conflict, July 3, 1863.

All three of the “then” Antietam photos below were taken by Alexander Gardner. Battle took place September 17, 1862.

Antietam: Hagerstown Pike

Hagerstown Pike……..The casualties were of a Louisianian brigade from Gen. Jackson’s Corp, the Confederate left wing of the battle, who were under attack from elements from Gen. Joe Hooker’s First Corp., of the Union right wing. Both sides attacked across the pike multiple times, leaving hundreds of casualties behind each time. Most of this fighting occurred in the morning hours.

Antietam: Dunker Church

Dunker Church………….The Confederate casualties in this photo were either infantrymen or artillerymen from Jackson’s Corp, probably Gen. McLaws Division. The attacking forces were most likely from a division under Union Gen. Sumner’s Second Corp., occurring mid morning or so.

Antietam: The Sunken road

Sunken Road………….Casualties in this photo are North Carolinians from Gen. R.H. Anderson’s Division of Gen. James Longstreet’s Corp, who were finally routed out of this farm lane by troops from Gen. Richardson’s Division of Gen. Sumner’s Second Corps, after repulsing wave after wave of attackers. They were finally outflanked, at which time it became a “shooting gallery” when Union infantrymen were able to fire down the length of the road. Much of this action occurred mid to late morning.