New photography by Pat Cagney captured with a digital camera.

Execution of Captain Wirz, Reading the Death Warrant

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

CultureAmerican | Scottish

DateNovember 10, 1865

MediumAlbumen print

DimensionsOverall, Image: 6 7/8 × 9 1/2 in. (17.5 × 24.1 cm)
Overall, Support: 10 5/8 × 14 1/4 in. (27 × 36.2 cm)
Overall, Mat: 16 × 20 in. (40.6 × 50.8 cm)

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

Object number98.32.262

Collections

Photography

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThe David L. Hack Civil War Photography Collection. This photograph shows the preparations for the execution of Captain Henry Wirz. The building is on the left side of the photo while a platform is situated high above the men below which are holding their rifles upright. A stairway leads up to the top of the platform where many men are standing. The information beneath it reads "Superintendent of Andersonville Prison. November 10, 1865. Reading the Death Warrant." This is from _Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War_ (Hack Collection No. 2].