Two dead Confederates?

[musketbal]

No disrespect to the obvious dead confederate, but it appears that there is an arm or leg partially burried just below the dead confederate. The photo was taken at Petersburg, Va. in 1865. Photo is from Oldphotos.com. I was looking at the trench's to find bayonets pushed into the walls of the trench to be used as a ladder type device.

Respectfuly,

Brent Conner

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

I have noticed that too, but I always thought that it was probably a sandbag partially buried in the mud.

[OldState]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

I noticed that as well. I was debating with my father if that was a shoulder or hip

[Gallinipper]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

I have wondered about this photo, but if you look at the ground behind the cheval de frise, it appears there could be a bit of blood there. This might suggest that the corpse would have been moved from that place, for ease of identification and burial, or even just to search. He is laid out and his hat is also placed at his feet. If that were the case, it would seem hard not to notice if there was a second body nearby, in such close proximity (and thus give it similar treatment). Just my take on it.

[Rankin]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

William Frassanito covers this photo in his Grant and Lee book.It is the arm of a body that has been buried by dirt.

Jim Crawford
Hairy Nation

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

Now I have to find that book. Does Frassanito back that claim with analysis? Probably a dumb question...but I feel that the claim that it's an arm, leg, etc. in this particular photo might not be verified easily unless someone has a time machine. That it may be another body has crossed my mind...perhaps I wrote it off since the object is practically buried.

[FloridaConscript]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

Isn't there another view of this body? Is this the one that was in the Burns series and the dead soldier is clearly a teen ager?

[Dignann]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

Here is a close up of the area, clearly showing that it is a body partially buried. Visible is a portion of the man's head, his right shoulder and hip.

Eric

[rbruno]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

Man, that is a great close up. You can really see it. The terrible thing is it also looks like foot prints all around and on top of him. What a site.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

Eric,

You (and Frassanito) are absolutely correct. Last time I looked at this photograph I did not notice the belt loop on what looks like a kersey or cassimere jacket, or the hair sticking out of the dirt near the shoulder. That "flap" of cloth at the top of the exposed leg may be torn trousers? Untucked shirt?

[Gallinipper]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

The terrible thing is it also looks like foot prints all around and on top of him.

I agree. This is reminiscent of many of those horrid WW1 photographs. War is a bad business.

[csabugler]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

What a tragic end to a life. Killed, partially buried by dirt and debris, and then stood upon by others trying to stay alive.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

Without consulting my books, I believe Grant ordered the artillery all along the Petersburg line to open up on the night before the 6th corps breakthrough. You can be sure that Ft. Mahone was a prime target. It is probable that this soldier was killed in the shelling and subsequently covered over by dirt from the collapsing trench wall. When this picture was taken he may have just been killed the night or day prior.

[hiplainsyank]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

poor soul.

[musketbal]

Re: Two dead Confederates?

This is another reason why we have Memorial Day. So many left in foreign soil.

A. Brent Conner
Eastern Shore of Maryland
Somerset County