Recently, our historian Tim Smith uncovered a remarkable article from the Village Record of West Chester, Pennsylvania, published on July 14, 1863. The report, sent back to the paper by a traveler who had just visited Gettysburg in the days following the battle, provides confirmation of William A. Frassanito’s groundbreaking research: that the dead at the base of Little Round Top and in the Slaughter Pen were photographed by Alexander Gardner on July 7th, 1863. The full account is transcribed below.
Gettysburg photographer Alexander Gardner
A Visit to the Battle Field – Scenes, Incidents, &c.
Village Record, West Chester, Pe
July 14th, 1863
To our accommodating friend, Mr. G.F. Worrall, Proprietor of the extensive Book Store, on Gay Street, West Chester, our reporter is indebted for the following particulars of a visit to the Battle Field at Gettysburg, and vicinity, after the fight.
Mr. Worrall, in company with Dr. J.E. Jones, the latter in search of his brother-in-law, of whom he had been unable to gain any information through the papers or elsewhere, as to his safety, left West Chester on Friday, taking the cars at Downingtown, at 4 o’clock P.M., arriving at Harrisburg, at 8 o’clock. Here they met Capt. W.M. Hinkson who kindly gave his assistance to procure them passes, through our line towards Carlisle; but his efforts were unsuccessful, as none were issued only to farmers and others living in the neighborhood of that route. The captain prevailed on them to accompany him to Duncannon, informing them that from there they could get to Carlisle by crossing the mountains where the regulations were not so stringent. They did so.
Arriving at Duncannon, they found his company very comfortably quartered in a large two story Ware-House, near the canal, between two bridges, which, in company with three companies from New Jersey, they were guarding. This company with the exception of a few days, have fared very well. The citizens being very liberal, supplying them with everything needful–especially provisions. As an evidence of which they observed suspended to the ceiling quite a number of large fine hams, and on one side of the room a pile of bread, the loaves measuring less than a half yard across–home-made.
Here they were joined by Marshall B. Hickman, Benj. J. Passmore, and Dr. Seal, all of Chseter county, on their way to the battle field. Prior to meeting these gentlemen, Mr. W. and the Doctor, accompanied the Captain and his company into Duncannon, the citizens of which place had invited them there to partake of a 4th of July dinner, by Mr. —- Hawley, a cousin of Col. Hawley, of West Chester.
The next morning, in company with the three gentlemen they had met the day before, they started for Carlisle, over the mountain, through Sterrett’s Gap, the direct route having been barricaded by fallen trees and rocks, having, through the assistance of Mr. Hawley, and Mr. Jacob Lindsay, of Chester county, procured passes, which was necessary to get past the guard on the mountain.
Arriving at the top of the mountain, they had to leave their carriage, on account of the road being so much obstructed, to prevent the enemy’s passage. They walked from there to Carlisle, a distance of eight miles. At the latter place, after much difficulty, the party procured supper.
Ascertaining that some ambulances were about starting to join Smith’s division, Mr. Worrall and the Doctor procured passage, their three friends remaining at Carlisle. They started at 10 o’clock P.M., and after riding until after 12, at a rapid rate, traveling over 12 miles they found themselves at the “Stone Tavern,” seven miles from Carlisle, having lost their way, but were put on the right route by calling up some farmers along the road.
Here they took breakfast, and also learned, by the aid of daylight, that four female nurses, two of them physicians, and four gentlemen from the Sanitary Commission, of Philadelphia, having with them a large supply of delicacies, liquors, &c., sufficient to fill a large ambulance, were a portion of the company they were traveling with.
At 9 ½ o’clock, they again started on their route, over the mountains in the direction of Gettysburg. After crossing the first mountain, the gentlemen, who had been footing it so far to aid their ascent, took their seats in the ambulance, and passed rapidly down the mountain to “Pine Grove Furnace.” Here the authority of the Surgeon in charge of the ambulances ceased, and the party came under the jurisdiction of Dr. —- of Phila., who very unceremoniously gave orders, that they could proceed no farther in that manner, notwithstanding the ladies, physicians, and others, were going for the express purpose of giving all their attention to the sick and wounded, giving as a kind of a reason that the ambulances were constructed for wounded soldiers.
The ambulances were moved rapidly down through the valley, with no occupants but their drivers and the party was left standing on the ground. The proprietor of the furnace, kindly offered temporarily accommodations for the ladies and their stores, and the gentlemen endeavored to procure a conveyance to proceed on their journey. All efforts appeared to be unsuccessful, until a large wagon arrived containing some soldiers, on their way to join Gen. Smith. The proprietor of the team getting scared, on hearing that some scattered bands of “Greybacks” were in the mountains ahead, and refused to go farther.
An old wealthy farmer, from the Cumberland Valley, who was there on horse-back, offered to substitute his horse, and allow the driver to return, on one of the horses from the team. This proposition was agreed to by all, the soldiers having started on foot, failing to urge the driver to take them further, and the ladies, their stores, and the baggage of the party, was put into the wagon, the men walking, and they were again on their way–ascending South Mountain–which they did with much difficulty. Arriving at the top, several of the men’s feet had given out, and they took the wagon, and they passed down the other side of the mountain.
In descending they observed in the far distance the rear of Smith’s army, winding through the valley.
By evening the party arrived at Bendersville, eleven miles from Gettysburg. Through the instrumentality of the patriotic farmer, two teams were procured for the Sanitary Commission, and stores, in order that they might move along more rapidly and reach Gettysburg the same evening. The balance of the party, finding all efforts to procure transportation ineffectual, remained at Bendersville all night.
All along, on their route through the mountains, they met squads of rebels, who had deserted from Lee’s army, anxiously enquiring the direct road to Harrisburg.
At 7 o’clock in the morning, they were again on their way, having chartered a conveyance. No signs of the passage of an invading foe were seen, nor no traces of contending armies, until within a mile and a half of Gettysburg, where an occasional rail was seen broken, –next a panel of fence prostrated,–here a wheat field trampled by cavalry, and there the fence on a whole side of a field broken down: Within a mile of Gettysburg, the first grave was seen; a piece of a cracker box for a head, and his a [?] as a foot stone. Numerous knapsacks, cartridge boxes, and guns strewed the ground. This place the party understood, was where the first fighting commenced.
Sharpshooter, Alexander Gardner
About a mile further on, to the right, they observed Gettysburg College, in the yard of which the gallant General Reynolds was killed. It was here the first day’s battle was fought. We suffered a defeat. The party next arrived at Gettysburg, entering the town, thousands of muskets and equipments had been gathered from the field and strewed the sidewalks; some twenty-five pieces of artillery were observed on one side of the pavement, apparently in good condition. Numerous squads of cavalry were passing to and fro through the town. After passing through the centre of the place, the signs of the conflict were plainly visible. All the wood-work of the houses showing where the minnie balls had entered, and an occasional roof gave proof of a passing shell or cannon ball. One brick house particularly attracted their attention. It had been occupied by the rebel sharp-shooters. The bricks in a number of places had been knocked out, and through the holes they had protruded their rifles and poured their deadly contents on our men on Cemetery Hill, about a half mile distant. On the left of the cemetery and in the cemetery grounds, where our batteries had been stationed, and where the rebels had made three unsuccessful attempts to take them, they found numerous patches of newly upturned earth, showing that great numbers had here been buried–mostly rebels–the number of bodies in each grave being marked on a piece of board and stuck in the ground. The largest number marked on the boards they saw was forty-three. Our dead had been buried each one by itself, and the name, company and regiment marked on a board at the head of the grave.
In the second-day’s fight, our artillery had their guns planted on the ground of this cemetery, and to the right and left of it. Here was evidence of a hard fight, and it was here that the rebels centered their fire on our forces. A large number of dead horses were still lying on the ground, unburied, thirty-nine were counted within the space of an acre, and whole and broken shells, &c., covered the ground. Broken monuments, upturned tombstones, and scattered shrubbery, showed the fierceness of the conflict. Near a small house, on the left, was two unburied rebels, in an advanced stage of decomposition. As they advanced to the “Round Top,” the scene of the third day’s fight, their numbers might have been counted by the score. On both sides of a small stream, in the valley, they were very numerous–not more than a yard apart, lying in all manner of positions–some with their heads hanging in the creek, and others hanging fast on the rocks. It was so very rocky here, that sufficient earth could not be procured to bury them.
The Slaughter Pen, Alexander Gardner
Returning near the Emmetsburg [sic] pike, between a peach orchard and a large farm house, they observed a number of mounds, each head mark showing that the occupant was a member of a South Carolina Regiment–these had been buried by the rebels themselves.
The owner of the house not liking such association with “Southern Chivalry,” had with the assistance of his sons, and a large negro commenced disinterring them, the latter having no more reverence for the dead “Johnnies,” as he called them, than he would for a dead hog. They had just taken up the body of a rebel Colonel when the party arrived. Five or six were placed on a sled and hauled to a deep trench in a woods, where they were again buried. The atmosphere from decaying humanity and horse flesh was sickening.
They saw no signs of gathering in the ripened crops–many of which are entirely destroyed–the fences torn down–and cattle running at large. They observed a great many wounded horses straying about.
On their return they met numerous parties from Chester county. Some in search of relatives and friends and others for information and out of curiosity. At the run mentioned above, where the rebels were so thick, they observed a man with his photograph Instruments, taking views, and wherever he could get a “fine group” of rebels, he would commence operations. What grand mementoes these pictures would be to send to the southern “belles” who were so ambitious to possess rings, &c., made from the bones of a dead “Yankee.”
All Over Now, Alexander Gardner
A farmer was seen hilling up two graves, and on being asked if he was burying rebels, he replied, “No, my only two sons.” The two young men had joined the Union army on its approach to their homes, and were both killed.
It was with great difficulty they procured accommodations. Provisions being very scarce. The rebels having stripped the country of everything.
The rain, which was very heavy in West Chester on Wednesday, commenced falling at Gettysburg, in torrents, about ten o’clock on Tuesday night. By morning the streams were very much swollen, overflowing their banks, and doing a vast deal of damage in their course. Twice the visitors started out on different roads, but were deterred by finding bridges washed away, &c. The inhabitants informed them that for thirty five years there had not been such a freshet.
They started out the third time and got along with much danger and difficulty, until they came to the Cannawaga, which is generally a small stream, but where they wished to cross it, the water extended to from thirty to fifty yards from each end of the bridge. On both sides of the stream was a large number of persons, in wagons and on horseback, each urging the other to attempt to cross. At last an individual seized a stick to steady him, started and got safely over, and the others then followed. Further on there was another stream, about two hundred yards wide, the bridge, as in the other instance, in the centre of the water. Here there was another large crowd on the opposite side, afraid to cross. A number got on a kind of scow, the owner of which promised to take them safely over. He did so. The balance, Mr. Worrall among the number, he not feeling very well, concluded to remain in the carriage and try it. They got on the bridge safe, but in turning at the end of the bridge, one of the wheels caught on the edge of the masonery [sic], which was under water, and the horses being urged forward, the whole wing came down with a crash. They fortunately escaped the falling rubbage, and after a great deal of labor and danger, the horses swimming most of the time, they brought up in some farmer’s potato patch, mud and water four feet deep, fifty yards more placed them on solid ground, amidst the cheers of the large crowd, who had been witness of their dangerous trip across the stream.
Dead Confederate soldiers near Plum Run, Alexander Gardner
They arrived safe at West Chester, on Thursday morning, very much worn out, and deeply impressed with the suffering and affliction caused by the “Raid into Pennsylvania.”
End.
While much of the account is of general historical interest, one detail stands out: the observer’s mention of a “man with his photographic instruments, taking views.” That man could only have been Alexander Gardner, who was the sole photographer known to be on the Gettysburg battlefield in the immediate aftermath of the fighting.
This firsthand reference places Gardner along Plum Run on July 7, 1863, where he captured many of the haunting scenes at Devil’s Den, including the famous Sharpshooter and All Over Now. In total, Gardner recorded 44 images in and around the area – a remarkable output that, as historians Tim Smith and Garry Adelman note, would have required an entire day of careful setup and exposure.
With this newly uncovered eyewitness account, historians can now confidently date Gardner’s iconic photographs to Tuesday, July 7, 1863.
For more on this exciting discovery, click here to watch the accompanying video with Tim Smith and Garry Adelman.
