The Photographic Reality of the Battle of Antietam Essay Example

day of conflict that claimed the lives of 23,000 soldiers. Before this battle, accounts of wars were largely based on local news journals and verbal communication. While Roger Fenton managed to capture images of soldiers and groups during the Crimean War in 1854 and 1855, war photography had not yet gained much popularity among the American public at this time.

Alexander Gardner, a Scottish photographer responsible for capturing images during the Antietam battle, examined the photographs. At the time, photography was common but mostly limited to portrait shots that supported newspaper articles. However, a set of photographs depicting the battlefield just hours after the end of the battle was considered revolutionary. These images were the first published photographs showing bodies in their positions after death. They were displayed in New York in 1862 under the title "The Dead of Antietam".

An unidentified journalist writing for the New York Times was disturbed that these appalling scenes should have been repulsive but were in fact captivating. According to him, every one of these seemingly insignificant names that the printer carelessly inscribed and that we utter so offhandedly represents a bleeding and mutilated corpse. Each name is like a thunderbolt that will strike some unfortunate person's brain, a heartless weight that will fall on some other person's heart, straining it until it breaks. Although our reaction to this list may not be alarming, our response would be different if the newspaper boy left the names on the battleground and the corpses at our doorsteps.

Mathew Brady's photographs gained popularity as they toured the north, revealing the harsh reality of death and destruction caused by war. The images of the deceased

at Antietam have maintained their impact, evoking the same reaction today as they did 140 years ago. By providing a visual representation of the horrors of war rather than relying on literary descriptions, these photographs have altered perceptions of historic events. The power of Frassanito's book, Antietam: The Photographic Legacy of America's Bloodiest Day, lies in its ability to let the images speak for themselves and captivate readers independent of any written account.

Frassanito's book presents an original photograph depicting death and decay, followed by a contemporary photograph captured from the same angle. The combination of historic and modern images creates a striking experience that ignites the imagination. Unlike literary works, photographs are factual records that have stories to tell. However, understanding these stories requires proper support for visual comprehension (Frassanito 15). Viewing a black and white contemporary photograph alongside the original creates a surreal moment. The viewer is captivated by the old image and then abruptly faced with the realization that the modern photograph portrays the exact place where history was made and blood was shed.

The use of modern photographs and their comparison to the originals can create a chilling sense of the location where an event previously occurred, effectively transporting the viewer back nearly 140 years into the past. By visualizing the events that unfolded through these comparative images, an unmatched sense of reality is provided, unlike most literary works. Unlike literature, these photographs showcase the ultimate truth of history and cannot be exaggerated, underestimated, or ignored. Witnessing the spot where a human being took their final breath then and now can lead to the discovery of a newly found sense of harsh reality

within the soul.

Although names and faces can become abstract over time, the photographs at Antietam create unforgettable images. Generals and high-ranking leaders often receive more attention than common soldiers in the analysis of the war. This perception is influenced by literature that portrays the war as a conflict between leaders like Robert E. Lee and George B., rather than between individual men on the battlefield.

Despite the historical accounts that focus on the triumphs of war heroes such as Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan, and Ulysses S. Grant, photography reveals a different truth. It confronts us with the stark and unsettling reality of just one deceased 12-year-old boy who was previously full of vitality and aspirations. Through analyzing photographs of the deceased, we are able to move beyond political considerations that led to their untimely demise. Such imagery puts everything into context, emphasizing the absolute finality of war.

Civil War photography creates a distinctive sentiment by telling a complete story of life and death beyond the war through each black and white photograph. Unlike literature, it evokes an exceptional emotion. The danger of glorifying war is apparent, with vivid descriptions of battles and campaigns that can make it appear exciting and tempting as an experience for those who are distant from the reality of a recently scarred battlefield.

Through the use of photographs, the Battle of Antietam is viewed in a manner that highlights the essential of human tragedy and suffering. This depiction provides a more authentic interpretation of war than what is given in dictionaries. Alexander Gardner's imagery is the most invasive means of understanding this historical event, with the assistance

of William Frassanito's research. This glimpse into a period that eludes modern comprehension reveals a reality of survival amidst death and destruction.

Thanks to these photographs, the world will never be forgotten.