The Military Backdrop of the Moore Brothers in Hartford, Conn.
By Adam Ochs Fleischer This column is the first to investigate a backdrop used in Connecticut during the Civil War. Despite its small size, the “Nutmegger” state made a significant
Tag: carte de visite
Albany Army Relief Bazaar Participants
By Elizabeth A. Topping According to an inscription on the back of this carte de visite, these girls participated in the Army Relief Bazaar held at Albany, N.Y. The hugely
Photo Sleuthing Some Virginia Tech Cadet Portraits
By Kurt Luther In past columns, we often focused on identifying Civil War soldier photos. However, military images are a much broader genre, and one type of portrait that has
The Caribbean Plantation Backdrop
By Adam Ochs Fleischer The backdrop featured in this installment is noteworthy because the content of the scene is compelling and subject to interpretation. Usually, backdrops of the era are
Plate or Paper? Choosing the best format for a portrait photograph during the Civil War
Behind every Civil War portrait photograph lies a question that the person paying the bill had to consider: Which format do I choose? Two primary options were available. Hard plates,
A Bridge to Home
By Buck Zaidel A black leather carte de visite album with space to hold six images has three words in an unadorned font stamped into the cover flap: Soldiers Photograph
Free at Last
By Ross J. Kelbaugh In the 1860 U.S. Census, Louisiana enumerated 331,726 Black and mulatto enslaved persons and 18,647 free colored individuals. With the occupation of the state by the
Miniature Flags and Secession Cockades: Images from the Matthew L. Oswalt M.D. Collection
Folk art and the humanistic side of the Civil War have long captivated Matt Oswalt. “Photography is a natural extension of these interests,” notes Oswalt, who began collecting soldier images
The Compact: In 1864, a group of soldiers at an army hospital pondered their futures. They pledged to meet 20 years later and find out.
By Ronald S. Coddington What will become of us? What will become of our country? Existential questions such as these span the arc of humanity. In times of strife and
Confederate Remounts
By Perry M. Frohne In the last issue of MI, I uncovered the diabolical practice of remounting Union albumens. I highly recommend you re-read that column before starting this one.