Collection of Civil War photographs including war casualties, approximately 1863-1865

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Summary

Abstract:
A group of 63 Civil War photographs, including views of war dead at Gettysburg, officers and soldiers at camp, battlefields, and others, approximately 1863-1865.
Extent:
3.16 Linear Feet (1 box, 1 volume)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

photCL 307, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of 63 Civil War photographs compiled by John P. Nicholson, Civil War veteran and collector. The albumen photographs are mounted on boards that had been bound into an album (now disbound). Most are undated and have little identification, though some have faded pencil writing on back. Many images depict battlefields, primarily in Gettysburg, such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, and others. Of particular note are photographs of war dead on the battlefield by Mathew B. Brady and Timothy O'Sullivan (1863); and an image of a dead young man, labeled a "rebel sharpshooter," by Alexander Gardner. Another image shows Brady overlooking "The Wheat Field" at Gettysburg, July 1863, attributed to Egbert Guy Fowx. There are several group portraits of soldiers and officers, often at camp, sitting or standing in front of tents; one features officers with women, presumably their wives or family members. Those identified include General Francis Preston Blair Jr. and staff; soldiers of the 8th New York State Militia at camp; 1st U.S. Cavalry at Brandy Station, Virginia; musical band of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry (Zouaves); and artillery of the Army of the Cumberland near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Other subjects are: General George G. Meade's headquarters; men building fortifications; a government coal wharf and the Orange and Alexandria Railroad roundhouse in Alexandria, Virginia; a bird's-eye-view of Washington, D.C. with the Capitol and Smithsonian Institute Building "The Castle"; and a panoramic image of "the field over which Pickett charged" by photographer William Bell. A few images include Black men in civilian clothing. The album is disbound, and three photographs have been matted and housed in Box 2.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Gertrude M. Nicholson, through the agency of Robert O. Schad, September 1922.
Custodial history:

This album was received as part of the Nicholson collection of papers, manuscripts and books related to the Civil War.

Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff, mid-20th century. In 2021, Suzanne Oatey created a finding aid.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

photCL 307, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
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