The following photos are from the main eastern theater of war, Grant’s Wilderness Campaign, May-June 1864. They were all taken by Timothy H O’Sullivan during May of 1864. All photographs are courtesy of the US Library of Congress. All in all, they offer some more fascinating glimpses into the Civil War — rather incredible when you consider how new photography was at the time, the risks that are inherent when shooting pictures during an active military campaign, and simply the fact that these images have survived until now.
Generals looking at a map
General Ulysses S Grant examining map held by General George G Meade (May 21, 1864):
Soldiers filling canteens
In Fredericksburg, Virginia:
Soldiers drawing water from a well
Army of the Potomac:
Troops occupying North Anna River
Federal troops occupying line of breastworks on the north bank of the North Anna River, Virginia (May 25, 1864):
Confederate redoubt commanding Chesterfield bridge
Interior view of Confederate redoubt commanding Chesterfield bridge. Captured by 2nd Corps under Gen. Hancock — North Anna River, Virginia (May 23, 1864):
U S Grant’s headquarters
Church in Massaponax Church, Virginia — temporary headquarters of Gen Ulysses S Grant — surrounded by soldiers (May 21, 1864):
Burial of Federal dead
In Fredericksburg, Virginia:
