Primitive Camp Scenes
By Buck Zaidel Painted canvas backdrops were used by Civil War era photographers to enliven the image, and to place the new warrior in a setting similar to what they
Recent Stories
First Blood at Raceland Station
By Scott Valentine The officers and men of the 8th Vermont Infantry wondered if they’d ever face an armed enemy. For months after their 1862 assignment to Maj. Gen. Ben
Civil War Images of Musicians, Leaders, and Battlefield Life
A Southern drummer leans into the camera, his stick at the ready. The patriotic motif on the drum tells a story: The shield at the center symbolizes protection, defense, and
Bob Dillard’s Wars
It is an uncommon occurrence when one of the millions of enslaved people in Civil War America is identified by name and face. Thanks to an inscription inside the case
The Autumn 2025 Issue of Military Images Magazine
Civil War images speak to us in unique and varied ways. The cover photograph for this issue tells the story of five Union citizen‑soldiers who belonged to the same mess,
Reflections on Generative AI
The emerging genre of historic photographs brought to life through AI touched me personally when an image in my collection appeared on the YouTube channel History in Motion. I watched
Shifting Terminology for Enslaved People
As the Civil War transformed the legal and social status of Black Americans, the language used to describe them evolved as well. In 1861, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler claimed
The World of Hermits in Gettysburg and Beyond
No doubt many subscribers to Military Images have toured the Gettysburg battlefield. But how many have made their way to Wolf Hill, southeast of town? Part of the area is
A Guide to Exploring Photo Sleuthing and Generative AI
By Kurt Luther Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be everywhere lately–in the news, on our phones, in schools and workplaces. Civil War photo sleuthing is no exception. AI has been
Shako, Stock, and Sword: Portrait of a Palmetto State Militiaman
By Ron Field The antebellum volunteer militia of South Carolina wore a great variety of uniforms. Distinguished by the Palmetto-shaped plume on extended stem, and Palmetto device at the front