Free at Last
By Ross J. Kelbaugh In the 1860 U.S. Census, Louisiana enumerated 331,726 Black and mulatto enslaved persons and 18,647 free colored individuals. With the occupation of the state by the
Tag: carte de visite
Miniature Flags and Secession Cockades: Images from the Matthew L. Oswalt M.D. Collection
Folk art and the humanistic side of the Civil War have long captivated Matt Oswalt. “Photography is a natural extension of these interests,” notes Oswalt, who began collecting soldier images
The Compact: In 1864, a group of soldiers at an army hospital pondered their futures. They pledged to meet 20 years later and find out.
By Ronald S. Coddington What will become of us? What will become of our country? Existential questions such as these span the arc of humanity. In times of strife and
Confederate Remounts
By Perry M. Frohne In the last issue of MI, I uncovered the diabolical practice of remounting Union albumens. I highly recommend you re-read that column before starting this one.
From Vivid Eggplant to Unpleasant Cheesy Hues: A brief history of yellowing and fading of albumen prints
By Ronald S. Coddington On May 3, 1855, the council of the Photographic Society of London voted unanimously to investigate a burning question that preoccupied its membership. Why do paper
Connected by a Carte de Visite: Profiles of a clergyman and the photographer who captured his likeness
Chaplain John H. Frazee By Joseph G. Bilby When the troopers of the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry formed in early 1864, they were issued one of the Union army’s most
The Art of Photo Sleuthing
By Kurt Luther Photography was the dominant form of professional portraiture during the Civil War. Its ubiquity owed in part to its high fidelity and low cost. However, other forms
Civil War Images; Fallen Soldiers
By Robert Lee Blankenship Some wore a uniform of gray,Some wore the one of blue,They were brothers from north and south,Some were sons and fathers too, Each one was a
Carried into Battle: Images that came under fire—and survived
Port Hudson: Taken from the Body of a Confederate One day in mid-1863, a Confederate soldier died—one of many who fell in defense of Port Hudson, La., the fortress city
The Boat that Brought Stonewall Home: A unique panoramic view evokes the life and death of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson
By Warren “H” Shindle Since the earliest days of photography, practitioners created non-continuous sweeping outdoor views with multiple exposures. These separate, patch-worked together images documented city landscapes, such as a