Original! CIVIL War Union Battle Of Seven Pines/fair Oaks Va. Gardner Photo 1862

  

CIVIL WAR UNION BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES / FAIR OAKS VA. CIVIL WAR UNION BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES / FAIR OAKS VIRGINIA MAY 28, 1862 GARDNER PHOTO 1862. Over the ground seen in the photo the fiercest fighting of the Battle of Seven Pines / Fair Oaks, on May 31, 1862 took place. Some 400 soldiers were buried here, where they fell. In the redoubt seen just before the two houses was the center of the Federal line of battle, equidistant, about a mile and a half, from both Seven Pines and Fair Oaks.

The entrenchments near these farm dwellings were begun on May 28th by Casey's Division, 4th Corps. There was not time to finish them before the Confederate attack opened the battle, and the artillery of Casey's Division was hurriedly placed in position behind the incomplete works. The scene is just before the battle as picks and shovels were still busy throwing up the embankments to strengthen this center of the Federal defense.

Major General Silas Casey's artillery was being hurriedly brought up. In the background Major General Sickles' Brigade appears drawn up in line of battle. When the Confederates first advanced Casey's artillery had devastating and effective cannon fire delivered, nicely repelling the attack early in the afternoon of May 31st. Later in the day Confederate sharpshooters from vantage points in neighboring trees began to pick off the officers and the gunners and the redoubt had to be relinquished.

The abandoned guns were turned against the retreating Federals. In the foreground of Gardner's image, a 32-pounder field howitzer points toward Confederate lines about a mile away. On May 31-June 1, 1862, the two armies fought to a draw here at the Battle of Seven Pines (or Fair Oaks), resulting in more than 11,000 casualties. Richmond, the Confederate capital, was only 8 miles away. At least eleven Union soldiers stare intently at Gardners bulky camera. The soldier at right uses an ammunition crate and what appears to be a rolled-up blanket to catch some shut eye while an artilleryman, a sword in a scabbard at his side, rests on the ground near him. Two pick axes, a shovel and a musket lay on the ground in front of these soldiers. If you look behind these 3 men there is a large group of soldiers, muskets on their shoulders. In many accounts, soldiers recalled the two battlefield landmarks that appear in the middle distance of the image.

Both armies used the "Twin Houses, " built along the Williamsburg Road, as a hospital. The Federals also used the structures for a headquarters.

Obliterated by post-war development the Twin Houses have long since been torn down. In the left distance of Gardners photograph, horses and soldiers gather in the shade of a stand of trees. While in another Union soldiers gather at one of the Twin Houses.

One of them peers into the window of the house. PERIOD HAND WRITTEN IDENTIFICATION ON THE REVERSE. Front view of old farm. House - 400 soldiers buried. Sickles in line of battle in.

Who immigrated to the United States in 1856, where. He began to work full-time in that profession. Best known for his photographs of the American Civil.

President Abraham Lincoln, and of the. Conspirators and the execution of the participants in. CONDITION IS EXTREMELY FINE WITH A FEW PIN HOLES ON THE EDGES (NOT AFFECTING THE SUBJECT). A FEW SPOTS OF NICELY EXECUTED SMALL. SHARP FOCUSED WITH VERY GOOD CONTRAST.

3 3/4" x 3 11/16". THIS IS NOT A REPRODUCTION OR A COPY.