Historical Photographer: Timothy H. O'Sullivan

"A Harvest of Death"

Born: 1840; New York
Date of Creation: July 4th, 1863

O'Sullivan is known for his work related to the American Civil War and the western united states. The image above is from the The Battle of Gettysburg. The following text was written by O'Sullivan to accompany the photograph:

Slowly, over the misty fields of Gettysburg--as all reluctant to expose their ghastly horrors to the light--came the sunless morn, after the retreat by [General Robert. E.] Lee's broken army. Through the shadowy vapors, it was, indeed, a "harvest of death" that was presented; hundreds and thousands of torn Union and rebel soldiers--although many of the former were already interred--strewed the now quiet fighting ground, soaked by the rain, which for two days had drenched the country with its fitful showers.

I'm not a history buff, nor do I enjoy learning much about it, but I do appreciate the work O'Sullivan captured. The Battle of Gettysburg was an important day for the United States.