The Battle of Antietam, fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862, was a pivotal battle during the Civil War and remains one of the bloodiest days in American military history, with more than 22,000 soldiers fighting There were casualties. The battle also prompted President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, shifting the focus of the war to freeing slaves and forever changing its course.
As the fighting ended and the army advanced, journalists and photographers arrived in the fields where untold violence had been witnessed. One of them was Alexander Gardner, who walked away with some of the most visually terrifying and thought-provoking photographs.
Alexander Gardner is known as a seminal figure in the history of photography, particularly due to his enormous influence during the Civil War. Gardner’s role during the Civil War was multifaceted and included not only his talent as a photographer, but also his ability to shape public perception through images. As a photographer in Matthew Brady’s studio, Gardner captured some of the most enduring and haunting photographs of the war, providing a raw and unflinching glimpse into the realities of war.
Born in Scotland in 1821, Gardner’s travels brought him to the forefront of photographic documentation during one of the most important moments in American history. One of his most famous works is his series on the Battle of Antietam, one of the bloodiest single-day battles in American history. Gardner’s postwar photographs of bodies and devastated landscapes shocked the American public and served as grim evidence of the true cost of war. His photographs were not just a reflection of reality. They were actively involved in shaping and understanding public opinion. Through careful choice of subject matter and structure, Gardner crafted a Civil War story that deeply resonated with the American people and sparked conversations about the moral and political implications of the conflict. Displayed in Brady’s Gallery in New York in 1862, these images marked a turning point in public perception of the brutality of the war and helped galvanize support for the Union cause.
Today, Alexander Gardner’s photographs remain an important historical record, preserving the memory of a nation torn by war and providing insight into the challenges of healing and reconciliation. In the video above from The American Battlefield Trust, Gardner’s work is displayed uncensored so viewers can see the results of this terrible period in history. With the help of photojournalist James Nachtwey, viewers learn how important photography is to preserving the past, especially as we continue to grapple with the legacy of the Civil War. Gardner’s photographs are a timeless reminder of the importance of bearing witness to the past in order to navigate the complexities of the present and future.
