Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882 Dead Confederate soldier badly mutilated in field near Rose Woods, Gettysburg, 5 July 1863.

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GLC#
GLC05111.01.0142-View header record
Type
Images
Date
circa 1861-1865
Author/Creator
Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882
Title
Dead Confederate soldier badly mutilated in field near Rose Woods, Gettysburg, 5 July 1863.
Place Written
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Pagination
1 photograph Height: 35.6 cm, Width: 28.6 cm
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

Image of a horribly mutilated corpse. The soldier's stomach has been ripped open and a dismembered hand lies near the body [which was probably moved into the shot from further away]. The soldier was either blown open by an artillery shell or had been nawed on by hogs that roamed the field after the battle. According to William Frassinito in "Gettysburg: A Journey in Time," Gardner placed the rifle across the soldiers leg and placed an artillery shell just above his knee. A canteen lies next to the rifle, as well. Gardner titled the image "War, effect of a shell on a Confederate soldier." He also states that this was the only large format (8x10) image taken at Rose Woods. The soldier was probably a member of the 51st or 53rd Georgia regiment, Semmes's brigade.

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