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April 1865. Petersburg, Virginia. "Dead Federal soldier." Wet plate glass negative, right half of stereo pair, by Thomas Roche. Library of Congress. View full size.
This was actually a rebel soldier killed at Ft. Mahone. Hit in the head by shrapnel. There are several other views of the same body where the photographer places props such as headgear and an artillery sponge around him. He was wearing U.S. Army belts which were probably taken from a Federal prisoner. April 3, 1865
The satchel is cartridge box. They were often issued with a
brass plate with the "US" or occasionally a state insignia.
Growing up my dad was a big civil war buff and we visited all the battlegrounds. It was so peaceful and green but still sad. These pictures help bring home the realities of war. So many people lost. Does anyone know what that is next to him, with perhaps his initials on it?
[It's a leather satchel with the "U.S." insignia of the Army. - Dave]
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