NathanForeign Diplomats
When we look through this old photo we can clearly see that these men do not look like very adventurous or active people seeking thrill. It does not seem likely that they are here to have a picnic or enjoy some quality time either. Care to know who these very peculiar men are? Well, this group of men is actually diplomats. As we can see from this photo, we see that they are pictured near some waterfall in New York State, 1863. While we cannot identify everyone in this frame, they are all diplomats. In fact, they are diplomats coming together from several different countries. The most prominent men in this photo include the U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward. In this strange photo, the then foreign minister of Sweden, Italy, Nicaragua, France, Great Britain, and Russia are also present.
Railroad Mortar
As we all know, the arms and ammunition that had been developed up until then were not so high tech or advanced. This is evident from this picture we see. Here we have one of the most dangerous weapons ever to be used in the time the Civil War was in full bloom. The weapon we see here is actually the 13-inch mortar and is given the nickname “Dictator.” The location where this photo had been taken was Petersburg, Virginia back in 1864. The Dictator was a heavy weapon that weighed a whopping 17,120 pounds. The heavy weapon had to be mounted onto a flatcar for the military men to be able to carry it to the Petersburg Railroad. Some historical experts have even speculated that the 218-pound mortar shell could be shot at an impressive distance of over 2.5 miles.
Fort Sumter
If you have not heard about the main reason why the war broke out in the first place, allow us to explain. It was actually one particular attack that causes an outbreak where the history of America would never be the same again. The war actually broke out due to the attack on Fort Sumpter, South Carolina. This attack was enforced by the Confederate army starting the war altogether. The subsequent action that followed was a two-day shooting. After this heavy action occurred, the US General and over 80 soldiers staying inside the Fort Sumter crumbled in front of the Confederates. The photo we see here is believed to have been clicked following them surrendering to the Confederates. Fort Sumpter is now taken in as a National Monument and below we can see its present condition.
Alexandria Slave Auction House
AS we all know, slaves were still kept before and during the time the Civil War broke. It is one of the most degrading practices that the people in history practiced. We all know and hear about how cruel these slaves had been treated from the stories that we hear from our parents and also from our history books in school. So what was the largest place that kept slaves you may be wondering? It runs out, during the time of Civil War, New Orleans had the largest number of slaves in the whole country. Next to it was Alexandria, Virginia that came in a very close second. The photo we see below is actually a famous auction house that is located on Duke Street in Alexandria. As of today, this building is used as a Freedom House museum. Quite the change this place has undergone right?
Brompton Oak
During war-time, where do all the wounded soldiers and casualties go to, to get better? There is no hospital that sits close by to the places in which these battles are happening. We all know that there are clearly multiple men that are injured or harmed while in action. These men give their best to defend what they feel is right and fight for their people. It would be a shame to see them wither away without any chance to heal. So even during the time, the Civil War took place, where did the injured men get medical treatment? One of the locations for medical attention was this plantation in Brompton where injured soldiers were given medical treatment. This was a site set up after a nasty battle happened in Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg. The site still has a few bullet holes in some of the trees.
Devil’s Den
When a battle takes place, there must be some casualties involved. This is inevitable. No big battle ever took place with zero men having been injured or harmed. And like we have mentioned before, the Civil War resulted in over a million men getting heavily injured and fallen badly as victims of attacks. So in this photo, we see several fallen soldiers that have been horrifically shot to death in a place known as Devil’s Den. Just look at the raw and unfiltered photo of the result of one of the most iconic battles that took place during this war. The photo had been taken during one of the most legendary battles ever to take place in the span of the Civil War. The soldiers we see here are ill-fated victims of the Battle of Gettysburg in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This site is now a tourist spot and is popular for hikers.
