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Alexander Gardner Collection

Alexander Gardner was a renowned photographer during the American Civil War

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: President Abraham Lincoln, 1862

President Abraham Lincoln, 1862

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Alexander Gardners Photographic Gallery, 7th & D Street, NW, Washington, D. C. ca. 1863

Alexander Gardners Photographic Gallery, 7th & D Street, NW, Washington, D. C. ca. 1863. Creator: Unknown
Alexander Gardners Photographic Gallery, 7th & D Street, NW, Washington, D.C. ca. 1863. [ Gardners Gallery; Views of the (American Civil)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Quaker Guns, Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N

Quaker Guns, Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N
Quaker Guns, Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War, dummy guns made of wood - deception tactic]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Manassas Junction, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N. Barnard, James F

Manassas Junction, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N. Barnard, James F
Manassas Junction, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War, soldiers near railway track with goods wagons]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Fortifications at Manassas, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N

Fortifications at Manassas, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N
Fortifications at Manassas, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War, soldiers with barrels filled with earth]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Stone Church, Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N

Stone Church, Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N
Stone Church, Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War, Union army soldiers after fighting at Bull Run, with broken windows of the Stone Church visible behind]

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Mortar Dictator, in Front of Petersburg, October 1864. Creator: David Knox

Mortar Dictator, in Front of Petersburg, October 1864. Creator: David Knox
Mortar Dictator, in Front of Petersburg, October 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: Union army soldiers with 13 inch mortar " Dictator" ]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: A Fancy Group, in Front of Petersburg, August 1864. Creator: David Knox

A Fancy Group, in Front of Petersburg, August 1864. Creator: David Knox
A Fancy Group, in Front of Petersburg, August 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: cock fight. Two African American men hold fighting cocks, surrounded by seated white soldiers and civilians

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Field Telegraph, Battery Wagon, September 1864. Creator: David Knox

Field Telegraph, Battery Wagon, September 1864. Creator: David Knox
Field Telegraph, Battery Wagon, September 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: covered wagon with US Military Telegraph Headquarters written on the side

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Army Forge Scene, in Front of Petersburg, August 1864. Creator: David Knox

Army Forge Scene, in Front of Petersburg, August 1864. Creator: David Knox
Army Forge Scene, in Front of Petersburg, August 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: horse being shoed at a blacksmiths shop

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Mathews House, Battle-field of Bull Run, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson

Mathews House, Battle-field of Bull Run, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson
Mathews House, Battle-field of Bull Run, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War]. Albumen print, pl. 8 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, vol. 1" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Ruins at Manassas Junction, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N

Ruins at Manassas Junction, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N
Ruins at Manassas Junction, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War, men looking at damaged railway tracks]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Antietam Bridge, Maryland, September 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N

Antietam Bridge, Maryland, September 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N
Antietam Bridge, Maryland, September 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War]. Albumen print, pl. 19 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, vol. 1" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N

Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run, March 1862. Creators: Barnard & Gibson, George N
Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War]. Albumen print, pl. 7 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, vol. 1" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Military Bridge, Across the Chickahominy, Virginia, June 1862. Creator: D. B. Woodbury

Military Bridge, Across the Chickahominy, Virginia, June 1862. Creator: D. B. Woodbury
Military Bridge, Across the Chickahominy, Virginia, June 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War: soldiers and covered wagon on timber bridge over the River Chickahominy]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Fortifications on Heights of Centreville, Virginia, March 1862

Fortifications on Heights of Centreville, Virginia, March 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War, soldiers and dog by wicker fence with earthworks behind]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Moore House, Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. Creator: Wood & Gibson

Moore House, Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. Creator: Wood & Gibson
Moore House, Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War: soldiers outside a wooden house]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Ruins of Gains Mill, Virginia, April 1865. Creator: John Reekie

Ruins of Gains Mill, Virginia, April 1865. Creator: John Reekie
Ruins of Gains Mill, Virginia, April 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: mill owned by Dr. William F. Gaines, site of the Battle of Gaines Mill]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Mechanicsville, Virginia, April 1865. Creator: John Reekie

Mechanicsville, Virginia, April 1865. Creator: John Reekie
Mechanicsville, Virginia, April 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: log cabins at Mechanicsville, the site of numerous battles]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Medical Supply Boat, Appomattox Landing, Virginia, January 1865. Creator: John Reekie

Medical Supply Boat, Appomattox Landing, Virginia, January 1865. Creator: John Reekie
Medical Supply Boat, Appomattox Landing, Virginia, January 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: Planter paddle steamer on the Appomattox River]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: The Shebang, or Quarters of U. S. Sanitary Commission, Brandy Station, November 1863

The Shebang, or Quarters of U. S. Sanitary Commission, Brandy Station, November 1863
The Shebang, or Quarters of U.S. Sanitary Commission, Brandy Station, November 1863. [Scene from the American Civil War: Union army soldiers in Virginia]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Dedication of Monument on Bull Run Battle-field, June 1865. Creator: William Morris Smith

Dedication of Monument on Bull Run Battle-field, June 1865. Creator: William Morris Smith
Dedication of Monument on Bull Run Battle-field, June 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: officers and civilians at a ceremony dedicating a memorial to the Union dead who fell at the First

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Ruins of Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, December 1864. Creator: James Gardner

Ruins of Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, December 1864. Creator: James Gardner
Ruins of Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, December 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: ruined buildings after commander Charles Stewart McCauley ordered the burning of the shipyard on 21 April

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Extreme Line of Confederate Works, Cold Harbor, Virginia, April 1865

Extreme Line of Confederate Works, Cold Harbor, Virginia, April 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: defences made of fallen trees and branches]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Pontoon Bridge Across The James, June 1864. Creator: James Gardner

Pontoon Bridge Across The James, June 1864. Creator: James Gardner
Pontoon Bridge Across The James, June 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: wooden bridge over the James River]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Headquarters Christian Commission in the Field, September 1863. Creator: James Gardner

Headquarters Christian Commission in the Field, September 1863. Creator: James Gardner
Headquarters Christian Commission in the Field, September 1863. [Scene from the American Civil War: the USCC furnished supplies, medical services, and religious literature to Union troops]

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Meeting of the Shenandoah and Potomac at Harpers Ferry, July 1865

Meeting of the Shenandoah and Potomac at Harpers Ferry, July 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: army camp at the junction of two rivers in West Virginia]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Battery A, Fourth U. S. Artillery, Robertsons Brigade, February 1864

Battery A, Fourth U. S. Artillery, Robertsons Brigade, February 1864
Battery A, Fourth U.S. Artillery, Robertsons Brigade, February 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: cannons, cavalry, and military camp. General Robertson commanded the brigade]

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Dutch Gap Canal, James River, Virginia, March 1864. Creator: John Reekie

Dutch Gap Canal, James River, Virginia, March 1864. Creator: John Reekie
Dutch Gap Canal, James River, Virginia, March 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: Albumen print, pl. 17 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Inspection of Troops at Cumberland Landing, Pamunkey, Virginia, May 1862

Inspection of Troops at Cumberland Landing, Pamunkey, Virginia, May 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War: military camp on the Pamunkey River, cart and anvil in the foreground

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Battery No. 1, Near Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. Creator: Wood & Gibson

Battery No. 1, Near Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. Creator: Wood & Gibson
Battery No. 1, Near Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War: cannons mounted on a swiveling stand]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Old Capitol Prison, Washington, 1861 / 65. Creator: William R. Pywell

Old Capitol Prison, Washington, 1861 / 65. Creator: William R. Pywell
Old Capitol Prison, Washington, 1861/65. [Scene from the American Civil War: building which served as the temporary Capitol of the United States from 1815 to 1819, and was later used as a prison]

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Field Hospital, Second Army Corps, Brandy Station, February 1864. Creator: James Gardner

Field Hospital, Second Army Corps, Brandy Station, February 1864. Creator: James Gardner
Field Hospital, Second Army Corps, Brandy Station, February 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War]. Albumen print, pl. 54 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Battery No. 4, Near Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. Creator: Wood & Gibson

Battery No. 4, Near Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. Creator: Wood & Gibson
Battery No. 4, Near Yorktown, Virginia, May 1862. [Scene from the American Civil War: heavy artillery and earthwork defences]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Aiken House, on Weldon Railroad, Virginia, February 1865. Creator: John Reekie

Aiken House, on Weldon Railroad, Virginia, February 1865. Creator: John Reekie
Aiken House, on Weldon Railroad, Virginia, February 1865. [Scene from the American Civil War: people outside a clapboard building]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Residence Chief Quartermaster Third Army Corps, Brandy Station, December 1863

Residence Chief Quartermaster Third Army Corps, Brandy Station, December 1863. [Scene from the American Civil War: an African American man carries firewood as a white man reclines on the log pile]

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Incidents of the War: Breaking Camp, May 1864. Creator: James Gardner

Incidents of the War: Breaking Camp, May 1864. Creator: James Gardner
Incidents of the War: Breaking Camp, May 1864. [Scene from the American Civil War: African American man standing beside a fireplace and chimney]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Dunker Church, Battle-Field of Antietam, Maryland, July 1863. Creator: James Gardner

Dunker Church, Battle-Field of Antietam, Maryland, July 1863. Creator: James Gardner
Dunker Church, Battle-Field of Antietam, Maryland, July 1863. [Scene from the American Civil War: Old Dunkards Church, built in 1852, and central to the Battle of Antietam]. Albumen print, pl

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: View on Canal, Near Crenshaws Mill, Richmond, Virginia, April 1864

View on Canal, Near Crenshaws Mill, Richmond, Virginia, April 1864. A work made of albumen print, pl. 92 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, volume ii" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Scene in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, October 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Scene in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, October 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Scene in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, October 1862. [Staff of Union General George McClellen: " The house of Mrs. Lee...was selected by General McClellan, after the battle of Antietam

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Studying the Art of War, June 1863. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Studying the Art of War, June 1863. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Studying the Art of War, June 1863. [Group portrait of officers in the Union Army and a foreign military observer: Major Ludlow, Colonel Ulric Dahlgren (standing)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Scouts and Guides to the Army of the Potomac, October 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Scouts and Guides to the Army of the Potomac, October 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Scouts and Guides to the Army of the Potomac, October 1862. Albumen print, pl. 28 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, vol. 1" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Ruins of Petersburg and Richard Railroad Bridge, April 1864. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Ruins of Petersburg and Richard Railroad Bridge, April 1864. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Ruins of Petersburg and Richard Railroad Bridge, April 1864. [Richmond, Virginia]. Albumen print, pl. 88 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, volume ii" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Ruins of Arsenal, Richmond, Virginia, April 1863. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Ruins of Arsenal, Richmond, Virginia, April 1863. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Ruins of Arsenal, Richmond, Virginia, April 1863. Albumen print, pl. 91 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, volume ii" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Pontoon Bridge Across the Potomac, at Berlin, November 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Pontoon Bridge Across the Potomac, at Berlin, November 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Pontoon Bridge Across the Potomac, at Berlin, November 1862. Albumen print, pl. 25 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, vol. 1" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Quarles Mill, North Anna, Virginia, May 1864. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Quarles Mill, North Anna, Virginia, May 1864. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Quarles Mill, North Anna, Virginia, May 1864. Albumen print, pl. 67 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, volume ii" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: President Lincoln on Battle-Field of Antietam, October 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner

President Lincoln on Battle-Field of Antietam, October 1862. Creator: Alexander Gardner
President Lincoln on Battle-Field of Antietam, October 1862. Albumen print, pl. 23 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, vol. 1" (1866)

Background imageAlexander Gardner Collection: Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, April 1864. Creator: Alexander Gardner

Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, April 1864. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, April 1864. [Confederate prison which gained a reputation for the overcrowded and harsh conditions under which officer prisoners from the Union Army were kept during



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Alexander Gardner was a renowned photographer during the American Civil War, capturing powerful images that depicted the harsh realities of battle and life on the frontlines. His photographs provide a glimpse into history, showcasing both Confederate and Union soldiers in various settings. Lieutenant Washington, a Confederate Prisoner, and Capt. Custis (for Custer) U. S. A are just two Gardner's subjects. These portraits reveal the stark contrast between captor and captive, highlighting the human toll of war. Gardner's Photographic Gallery at 7th & D Street in Washington, D. C. , served as a hub for his work. It was here that he displayed his captivating images to an eager audience seeking to understand the magnitude of conflict. Quaker Guns in Centreville, Virginia, captured by Barnard & Gibson in March 1862, showcases deceptive tactics employed by Confederate forces to mislead their opponents. These wooden cannons were strategically placed to give the illusion of formidable artillery positions. Manassas Junction also became a subject for Barnard & Gibson's lens during this time period. Their photographs depict scenes of destruction and ruin caused by previous battles fought there. The remnants serve as haunting reminders of lives lost and communities shattered. Fortifications at Manassas further demonstrate the immense efforts made by both sides to fortify their positions during wartime. These structures stand as testaments to ingenuity amidst chaos. The Stone Church in Centreville stands untouched amidst its war-torn surroundings—a symbol of resilience amid devastation—captured beautifully through Barnard & Gibson's lens. Moving forward chronologically, David Knox takes over as creator with Mortar Dictator before Petersburg in October 1864—an image that captures one aspect of technological advancements used during warfare at this stage. In August 1864, Knox presents A Fancy Group—a photograph depicting soldiers posing together with pride despite their challenging circumstances—an embodiment of camaraderie amidst adversity.