Collage of historical images and cartoons of the American Civil War

Visual Culture of the American Civil WarA Special Feature of Picturing US History

Cold Harbor, Virginia (vicinity). Collecting remains of dead on the battlefield

This photograph taken in April 1865 documented the recovery of the remains of thousands of Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, almost a year earlier. The badly decomposed bodies were collected and interred by newly-emancipated African Americans (some later became soldiers of the U.S. Colored Troops) under the supervision of Captain James Moore (who supervised efforts to locate, identify, and bury Union war dead).This photograph taken in April 1865 documented the recovery of the remains of thousands of Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, almost a year earlier. The badly decomposed bodies were collected and interred by newly-emancipated African Americans (some later became soldiers of the U.S. Colored Troops) under the supervision of Captain James Moore (who supervised efforts to locate, identify, and bury Union war dead).

Creator: John Reekie

Source: Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

Date: April 1865