Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882 Dead Confederate soldier badly mutilated in field near Rose Woods, Gettysburg, 5 July 1863.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05111.01.0142 Author/Creator: Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882 Place Written: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Type: Photograph Date: circa 1861-1865 Pagination: 1 photograph 35.6 x 28.6 cm Order a Copy
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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