PIPs
Portrait photographs of individuals posed with a photograph of another person are unique. Yet, they were made throughout the 19th century, observes Doug York, who has assembled a collection of
Category: Feature
Dwelling in Peace in the Land of the Spirits: Pvt. Admiral Coon’s portraits reveal a family’s pain and sorrow
By Paul D. Mehney and Charles T. Joyce In September 1862, a freshly minted Union enlisted man posed for a photographer in or near Camp Susquehanna on the outskirts of
Profiles of Union Soldiers in the Thick of the Fight for Petersburg
By Scott Valentine Trench warfare along the earthworks defending Petersburg, Va., settled into a brutal rhythm of seemingly endless assaults and counterattacks soon after it began in June 1864. The
A Tale of Two Steamers
By Ron Field Government steamers played an important role in the Civil War, particularly on Western waters. Yet, little is known about the contribution of these workhorses to the war
President Lincoln’s Bodyguard for a Day: Sgt. H. Paxton Bigham’s Gettysburg experience
By Paul Russinoff A messenger approached Sgt. Paxton Bigham with a document and a few words that implied immediate action: “A telegram for the President.” Paxton took the paper, turned
Red-Whiskered Artillery Genius: New York’s Capt. Jacob Roemer
By Mike Fitzpatrick Jacob Roemer suffered seven wounds and injuries in the line of duty during more than three years of active service. The number perhaps comes as no surprise,
Reunion and Reconciliation at the Point: Lookout Mountain and the Linn brothers after the war
By Dr. Anthony Hodges Though the guns of war fell silent in April 1865, business continued to boom for Robert M. and James B. Linn’s photograph gallery on Lookout Mountain.
A Million Hells of Screaming Flame: Portraits of Blue and Gray at Shiloh
Common themes run through the discussions of momentous battles, and Shiloh is no exception. Considered from a strategic angle, the bloody engagement fought on April 6-7, 1862, near Pittsburgh Landing
A New Look at Old Abe’s Color Guard: Researchers combine classic and cutting-edge techniques to reexamine the identities of soldiers in an iconic image
By Tyler Phillips, Kenneth E. Byrd and Xukai Zou One of the best-known images of the Civil War is that of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry Color Guard with its live
Requiescat in Pace: Memorial photographs of the Civil War
By Richard Leisenring Jr. After the death of Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth in 1861, patriotic Northerners eager to remember his martyrdom purchased a huge number of cartes de visite featuring