"It is well that war is so terrible - or we should grow too fond of it." - R.E. Lee
Posted on 08/06/2013 6:31:41 AM PDT by DFG
Civil War photographer Mathew Brady largely taught himself the finer points of the two pursuits that have linked his name to history: taking pictures and self-promotion. The son of Irish immigrant farmers had a talent for cajoling presidents, generals and business leaders to sit before his camera.
Other than his birth around 1823 in Warren County, N.Y., little is recorded about Brady's early life, a challenge for biographer Robert Wilson. Yet readers of 'Mathew Brady: Portraits of a Nation' probably benefit from this dearth of personal information.
Wilson moves quickly to what matters most - Brady's role in how we see America in the mid- to late 19th century.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Are they using the American flag as a table-cloth?
Thanks for posting. Great pics...more at link.
That’s his son, Custis, stepping on his foot. This was taken at Lee’s home in Richmond right after the war. Happily, it was eventually turned into a steakhouse in the ‘1990s called “Travellers.” I ate there and my husband took a photo of me standing by that very door. Sadly, Travellers closed.
Brady is my favorite photographer.
There is also great sorrow and sadness in those eyes.
We now have the “Perfumed Princes” leading our armed forces. They are politically correct and will go along to get along. Sherman was the real deal.
"It is well that war is so terrible - or we should grow too fond of it." - R.E. Lee
Sherman's much loved eldest son had visited him in the summer of 1864, contracted typhus, and died. Sherman never forgave himself. I believe this photo is from around that period and that could explain much of the sorrow.
Before WWII the U.S. Army was full of perfumed princes and has-beens. So was the British Army - Spike Milligan writes about it in his 'War Trilogy' (in 4 volumes) - the deadwood had to be cleared out in what he called "the Montgomery Purge".
For color versions of this photoshoot, see
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/robert-e-lee-standing-portrait-on-porch-april-16th.76497/
I have stood in front of that very door many times on those very bricks.
Yes, I’m bragging.
It is an iconic panorama.
It appears Sherman ate very little.
Is Clint Eastwood related to Sherman? They sure look alike.
Does anyone else think it’s kind of pathetic that we have to rely on the UK press for these inspiring photos of our own Civil War?
I like your screen name. Whenwas the last time you saw Steven?
Don’t know-—but I don’t think they’d do that.
Oh, yes...that too.
"You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace. But you cannot have peace and a division of our country. If the United States submits to a division now, it will not stop, but will go on until we reap the fate of Mexico, which is eternal war. The United States does and must assert its authority, wherever it once had power; for, if it relaxes one bit to pressure, it is gone, and I believe that such is the national feeling. This feeling assumes various shapes, but always comes back to that of Union. Once admit the Union, once more acknowledge the authority of the national Government, and, instead of devoting your houses and streets and roads to the dread uses of war, I and this army become at once your protectors and supporters, shielding you from danger, let it come from what quarter it may. I know that a few individuals cannot resist a torrent of error and passion, such as swept the South into rebellion, but you can point out, so that we may know those who desire a government, and those who insist on war and its desolation.
You might as well appeal against the thunder-storm as against these terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable, and the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is to stop the war, which can only be done by admitting that it began in error and is perpetuated in pride.
We don't want your Negroes, or your horses, or your lands, or any thing you have, but we do want and will have a just obedience to the laws of the United States. That we will have, and if it involved the destruction of your improvements, we cannot help it." - Sherman's reply to an appeal from Atlanta's city fathers to spare the city.
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CIVIL WAR WEB SITE: At dawn on April 9, the Confederate Second Corps under General John B. Gordon attacked Union General Philip Sheridan's cavalry and quickly forced back the first line. The next line, held by Union generals Mackenzie and Crook, slowed the Confederate advance. Gordon's troops charged through the Union lines and took the ridge, but as they reached the crest they saw the entire Union XXIV Corps in line of battle with the Union V Corps to their right.
Lee's cavalry saw these Union forces and immediately withdrew and rode off towards Lynchburg. The Union II Corps began moving against General James Longstreet's corps to the northeast.
Colonel Charles Venable of Lee's staff rode in at this time and asked for an assessment, and Gordon gave him a reply he knew Lee did not want to hear: "Tell General Lee I have fought my corps to a frazzle, and I fear I can do nothing unless I am heavily supported by Longstreet's corps."
Upon hearing it Lee finally stated the inevitable: "Then there is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths."
The surrender at Appomatox.
That’s Lincoln & McClellan after Antietam. Lincoln was pretty pissed that McClellan hadn’t pursued and finished off Lee after the barely won battle - a battle in which McClellan had found Lee’s battle plans, but had ignored them.
Lincoln’s frustration with “Little Mac” is clearly seen in this photo.
But, the majority of the most famous images from the Civil War, although attributed to Brady, were NOT made by him.
Alexander Gardiner deserves the credit...
That’s Marse Robert’s son Custis.
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