Mathew Brady: Three captured Confederate soldiers (1863)

(Library of congress, Washington DC, USA)

Another famous photo from the American civil war (1861-1865), this time taken by the American photographer Mathew Brady (1822 – 1896). This photo shows 3 captured Confederate soldiers standing at Seminary Ridge opposite the James Thompson house at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The identity of these 3 men is a matter of debate with several claims roaming around but none of them hold against research - at this time no name can be given to them. The photo was taken after the battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863), most likely on July 15, 1863. The men were captured during Union mop-up operations after the battle and and certainly it was just by chance that the prisoners happened to be on Seminary Ridge when Brady was working in the same area; as the exposure was made, Union guards undoubtedly stood only feet away. Toldiers pictured here were very likely among the 2500 Confederate prisoners transferred the following day, July 16, from Gettysburg toward Washington and from there to prison camps. Photo from 1863.