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A Harvest of Death is a photograph of Union soldiers killed in the Battle of Gettysburg, taken by photographer Timothy H. O'Sullivan (and printed by Alexander Gardner) on July 5th or 6th, 1863, during the American Civil War.

Outline

Battle of Gettysburg -

Brief description of the Civil War and three days battle, mention important locations on the battlefield

The Photographers -

Gardner's history with Brady, failure to get photos at First Bull Run, public success of his photos of the dead at Antietam (with Gibson), leaves Brady to start own studio, hires O'Sullivan and Gibson (who had also worked for Brady), perhaps include wet negative (collodion) photography process and cameras used (stereoview, two smaller negatives vs. glass plate with 8 x 10 inch "Imperial" negative) here.

Gardner photo in 1863 (National Portrait Gallery)

O'Sullivan photo in 1863 (National Portrait Gallery)

OR

No photo of Gibson known ;(

Somewhere include one of the Rose Woods photos with the photographer's wagon / portable darkroom visible - best one on Commons, imagine LOC has better

Decent short essay of CW photography from the Met

The photographs

Gardner group spent morning of July 5th in Emmitsburg, MD (catalog and photo, run in with Stuart's cavalry). Letter on arrival on Gettysburg battlefield and time frame (5-6 PM). Union army buries Union dead, some Confederate dead, last units depart by dawn July 7. O'Sullivan and Gibson leave around July 9 to follow Meade's army, Gardner returns to DC a bit later.

Number of photographs taken by Gardner et al. on the battle field (MoMA), time it takes to take and develop one photo (at least 10 minutes), limits of photgraphy (long exposure times, bright sunny weather). Describe photos taken by Gardner group there (Harvest group, Rose farm Woods confederate dead, Slaughter pen, Devil's Den (moved sharpshooter), Round Tops, Cemetery, Fahnestock building in town - check this).

Describe the AHoD large plate and stereoview, the large plate and two stereoviews of the same group of bodies from a different angle (135 degrees). Probably have a table showing all five with original captions. Different views (large plate, stereo) available from Gardner (catalog), then published in Harper's as "The Harvest of Death" woodcut (with elements from the Devil's Den sharpshooter, Unfit for Service, and one of the Trostle Farm dead horses photos)(Brady photos got woodcut publication in August 1863).

Mention Gardner's Sketchbook of the War and how the two large plates of this group of bodies were included, but identified as different groups of Confederate and Union dead. How much of the Sketchbook texts to include? Quote in article, perhaps include full texts as notes at bottom of article. Mention these two views are the first photos of dead soldiers in the Sketchbook (Gardner did not include Antietam dead photos, although he took his negatives when he left Brady's studio).

Describe subsequent usage (1911-12 photographic history of the Civil War, every Civil War history book after that ever), MoMA 2013 show, frontispiece for Sears' "Gettysburg", misidentification continues until Frassanito's 1975 book, still persists in 2021 (Brittanica!).

1911 photo history, see pp 241, 243 where identified as 1st day

Unknown

Which day the photos were taken (5 or 6 July, probably first of the Gardner photos at Gettysburg, could go into decomposition rates, gruesome details). Know where most Gardner group photos were taken, all at southern end of battlefield and into town, but not 1st day battle sites.

Identities of soldiers, or units, or when they were killed (which day of the battle)

Location of the photos (despite many efforts) - what to cite as reliable sources? Published articles / letters, yes. NPS Gettysburg history blog post, probably OK. Personal web pages - ???? Knowing location would help give clues as to when these were killed, which units they were from, what part of the battle they died in.

Clues - Union uniforms, possible III Corps badge (white diamond), burial parties in background of some views, bodies missing shoes , pockets rifled, Union bodies yet unburied relatively late (all consistent with location in what was Confederate territory on battle ground)