Interesting Photo

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Interesting Photo

Whoa, this thread is getting a little too conjectural....

Let's go off what we know... not make wild assumptions that we can't support. Surmising that the body was kicked over, etc.
Possibility of a prop body 'playing dead'... There is no support for these statements...

And I don't support any of the claims that the background body is negroid... There just isn't enough evidence to make a clear cut case.... If want to believe he is black, I guess you will. And if you don't, you won't...

Otherwise let's not fly off the handle with assumptions without some evidence to back it up . . .

[PalmettoGuard]

Re: Interesting Photo

First off, real interesting discussion guys. The resolution in the pictures is very impressive. Just out of curiousity what program are you using to crop and enhance these?

I think there may be some evidence that this poor lad died face down. If he was hit on the back of the neck or head, look at were the blood has dried: His forehead, cheeks and nose. The pattern almost appears to have flowed in this direction. JMHO.

None of this really matters though. This is still an excellent photo with lots of interesting detail. I'm surprised there hasn't been more discussion about the haversack. That thing could of held a lot of food. :p

[markmason]

Re: Interesting Photo

First off, the HILLY-BILLY hat comment. To educate on the subject there of, hats without the proper liners and finish work ( sweatbands, gross-grain ribbon, and binding around the edges, etc) as HILLY-BILLY. This mans poor hat has just seen a lot of use. Nothing wrong with a properly constructed hat, a bit with the floppy and kicked about look. :wink_smil


I cannot stop looking at these pictures :baring_te

[Fod]

Re: Interesting Photo

April 2nd, 1865.... Just one more week and he could've gone home....

I wonder who he was? His comrades must've been captured, killed or marched on to Appomattox. Did they know he fell there? Did his body get home? Did his wife/mother/sister ever know what happened to him or did they wait for months after the surrender hoping he would come walking up the road?

Just a little perspective on a rainy afternoon.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Interesting Photo

The sponge could very well be a morter sponge. It looks like the right size for a 24 lb cohorn morter which were placed all along the line in that area.

I hunted trenches in that area about 25 years ago. In regards to determining infantry vs. artillery by section of line where the body lay I don't think that can be determined. Dropped bullets were frequently found in all sections of the trenches of that area in what I would now call vast quantities. There also didn't seem to be much of a pattern between where block A buttons and block I buttons were found. It didn't matter if you were in a morter position, artillery or just along the trench. The infantry was all over the place. Once you got out and in the rear of the main trench line more block A buttons could be found in spots usually with numerous friction primers indicating there was a battery located in the area.

The morter positions were somewhat unique as they were in the bottom of the trench and didn't require an opening for the muzzle like a field piece required. You could spot them by the flat area in the bottom of the trench and the friction primers found in the area.

Union box plates, breast plates and buckles were also found inside the trenches and adjoining bombproofs. This would indicate that they were being used frequently by CS forces.

It is unfortunate that this trench complex is now under a vacant shopping mall.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Interesting Photo

"is now under a vacant shopping mall"

That makes me sick! Its not even an active mall, is a &¤&¤(%#E(&%##&%%//%&%##¤%VACANT mall! :baring_te

[13thnhv]

Re: Interesting Photo

I think the man in the background is a Negro civilian, either a driver or one in another such capacity....I see no evidence from the photo alone that he can be identified as a soldier. The trowsers look checked, the vest is civilian, no acoutrements, etc. I'm convinced he was caught in the crossfire.

[Holy Joe]

Re: Interesting Photo

Excellent discussion! Might I add respectfully, that we should refrain from referring to these souls as "dudes" and "MF'ers"? It adds nothing to the discussion and could be perceived as being very disrespectful.

[roundshot]

Re: Interesting Photo

I grew up in Richmond in the 1960s, before the now defunct shopping mall at Petersburg was even constructed. Ft. Hell (Sedgwick) was still there and privately owned. You could actually go into the refurbished bombproofs and officers quarters, and all of the artillery traverses were in place. They had a neat little museum too.The owner used to allow me to hunt the covered way in the rear of the fort.The picket post locations where the mall was built were about 15 yds. apart, and relic hunting them once you found their location was like digging a coal mine. Each post produced hundreds of fired and dropped bullets, plus buckles, cannonballs and the like.What I found was nothing compared to the local Petersburg boys.Then the bulldozers came. I have often lamented the loss of this well preserved Fort. Bob Williams

[pops]

Re: Interesting Photo

Would it be possable for someone to scan the bottom of the photo and tell me just what I think I am seeing,is this hard tack or something else,also there appears to be another article of clothing thanks

[Holy Joe]

Re: Interesting Photo

Please forgive me if this has been provided here, but does anyone have the website URL available so that I may download the .TIFF image?

Regards,

Gary, here you go http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?cwar:3:./temp/~ammem_B9CH::displayType=1:m856sd=cwpb:m856sf=02551

Dusty

[Nighthawk]

Re: Interesting Photo



I agree. Under magnification, it appears there is a wound in the face/chin. It also appears as if there is a gaping hole just above his collar at the base of the skull, which could be an exit wound. The trousers appear to be jean cloth, in contrast to the fine wool of the Tait Jacket. This is such a great photo....

[Private Longshanks]

Re: Interesting Photo

I agree with Paul about the head wound. Note the amount of blood coming from the nose, and if he fell backwards with his head cocked back, or fell forward with his chin down, the blood would come from his nose rather than his mouth. Any wound lower than his head, such as a chest wound, would probably have caused more bleeding from his mouth from blood gathering in his throat. This is a very interesting and thought provoking thread! Great pictures and great discussion.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Interesting Photo

Looking at the picture without the sponge, what is that pile of stuff behind the body. Looks like broken bricks. At first I thought it may be coal. Any ideas?

The buttons on the jacket were Tait buttons which were very good qualitity. Usually they had lined letters on the face. I for Inf and A for artillery. They would have made nice souvenirs since they were not that common.

[Jeff Dugdale]

Re: Interesting Photo

The man with the head wound is definitely an infantryman.Besides his cartridge box and his haversack the tip of his bayonet scabbard can be seen protruding from under his haversack in the photo taken from his other side (LOC 02567u).
Another photo from the LOC archive (02565u) depicts a dead confederate soldier at the bottom of a muddy trench.Under magnification it can be seen that he is wearing an RD3 jacket in kersey cloth and pants of a very fine check pattern.
Still on the subject of checks another famous photo of confederate dead along the Hagerstown turnpike (LOC 01105u),depicts a body with its arm raised wearing a knapsack.A cursory glance shows him wearing a nondescript jacket but under magnification it is not a jacket but a checked shirt.Also clearly discernable are his rough weave jean pants and the soles of his badly worn shoes.
I would like to say hi to everyone as this is my first post.
Jeff Dugdale England