Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2012.

Images(2)

Coffins and Graves where Conspirators were Buried

Artist Alexander Gardner (American (born Scotland), 1821 - 1882)

DateJuly 7, 1865

MediumAlbumen print

DimensionsOverall: 6 1/2 x 8 in. (16.5 x 20.3 cm)
Overall, Frame: 24 1/8 x 26 1/8 in. (61.3 x 66.4 cm)

ClassificationsPhotography

Credit LineGift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange

Object number98.32.10

Terms

U.S. Civil War
Prisons
Courtyard

Collections

Photography

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThis photograph shows a view of open graves and coffins in the courtyard of the Old Arsenal Prison. There are a few soldiers standing in the grass area on the lower portion of the photo while a few guards are standing on the high brick walls either walking by or looking down. The David L. Hack Civil War Photography Collection. This is from _Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War_ (Hack Collection No. 320).

Label TextAlexander Gardner American, 1821−1882 Coffins and Graves where Conspirators were Buried, 1865 Albumen print (photograph) Just to the right of the gallows, shallow graves, only four feet deep, awaited the prisoners. Their coffins were cheap wooden gun boxes. In 1869, after years of petitioning, family members were permitted to transfer the bodies to grave plots among relatives. Gift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange 98.32.10