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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Primary Analysis: Harper's Weekly on Civil War Battles

Examine the photos from Harper's Weekly regarding various Civil War Battles. In the comments section, please respond to the following:

  • Which picture evokes the strongest reaction from you?
  • What is this reaction?
  • What are your thoughts as you view this photo?
  • Be sure to inclue a link to the photo. Make it easier for other viewers by using tinyurl.com to shorten the link for that photo.
Thank you...

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

After looking at every single picture there was, the picture that revokes the strongest reaction from me would have to be SERGEANT HART NAILING THE COLORS TO THE FLAG-STAFF OF FORT SUMTER, in the Battle of Fort Sumter, http://tinyurl.com/33vabpw . While this isn't a normal war picture, such as bodies lying around which I would expect others to have more of a reaction than to this, I couldn't help but feel like this picture was incredibly epic. It says that Sergeant Hart brought the flag and nailed it to Fort Sumter while people prayed and sang the Star Spangled Banner, which just makes the whole event more epic if you were truly there at the time. This is a weird reaction to get from a photo, because I no doubt think that others will see a photo from the war and find that to be a much better reaction than this, but that's okay. -Mike E.

Unknown said...

I actually completely agree with Mike on this one. That picture was really unique. It got the closest to giving me chills! The fact that Sergeant Heart was so dedicated to his country was truly inspiring. Even though it didn't have any of the usual images that pictures from the war show like Mike said, it still gave the same intense feeling. I bet if you put this in front of someone who doesn't know that this picture was from the war, they would guess it in a moment. And I agree, this picture is really epic! It seems like something you would see in a movie that over-exaggerates, like "300" only with the the Civil War instead of Sparta. It's images like this that are rarely seen that show the true determination that soldiers had during that time.

Anonymous said...

The image that revoked the strongest reaction for me was Burning if the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry (http://tinyurl.com/2fjzq3w). This picture shows the horror of the raid on Harper's Ferry, and it shows the destruction that John Brown and his followers caused. This picture made me feel bad for the innocent people that were harmed during this raid. it also made me think that John Brown could have made the same statement in a calmer way that would not harm anyone. This picture also makes me think that John Brown was crazy to think that causing that much damage was an acceptable way to make a statement. I think this picture is important because it illustrates the growing conflicts between the North and the South that eventually led to the Civil War.

Unknown said...

I agree that the picture of sergeant hart nailing the colors to the flag to fort sumter at http://tinyurl.com/33vabpw is one of the most powerful pictures. I gets the message across without showing the corpses of dead men. I think that's the reason it's the most influential, because it gets the message across in a new way.
The soldier's dedication to what they were fighting for is portrayed in this picture becasue this sergeant went beyond just fighting. He risked himself to put up that flag and no one could be quick to forget it.

C said...

Those are some good choices, and your reasons are good. This is some really thought-provoking commentary made by the students here.

Unknown said...

After looking through many civil war photos, along with Caitlin, I felt that the Burning of the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry evoked me the most; http://tinyurl.com/2fjzq3w. You can see the how frightened common people were towards this raid. I feel that even though John Brown started this raid to try to end slavery, he shouldn't have done it in such a violent manor that could hurt the common people who have done no harm to him. This picture, showing many running to get out of the maddness that John Brown has created really depicts the uprising tensions between the North and the South over controversy over slavery. I agree with Caitlin that John Brown should have approached his cause in a different way that would not harm innocent people. I think that this picture greatly shows how violent some situations can turn out to be.

Sarah said...

The picture that interested me most is as follows: http://tinyurl.com/2c68n7p

This photo is of Sherman's troops who are burning a railroad station. Though this picture did not bring about a strong reaction, I chose this one to write about as it left me thinking the most. This photo was linked to alot of things we learned in class and that is what drew my attention towards it. For example, total war is connected to this picture as Sherman abided by this method to brutally destroy Southern towns, all potential confederate military supplies, and also he would break, melt, and bend railroad tracks so they became unusable. I could connect this picture to total war because Sherman likely was being merciless when his troops were burning this rail road as he was throughout his other conquests in Georgia and the South.
I also thought of what Mr. Pags said in class one day when I saw the smoke in this picture coming from the fire. I thought about when we watched this 'educational film' and somebody wondered how everybody survived back then with all the smoke around from the gunfire and artillary and Mr. Pags said there was alot of smoke and thick air back then (paraphrase). Overall, this picture made me think about the devastations and negative effects the Civil war left, and Sherman's brutal total war tactics in particular resulted in so much destruction. This photo evokes just a small piece of demolition of Sherman's pillaging through the South.

Unknown said...

I agree with Sara, I think that "Sherman's troops burning a railroad station" (http://tinyurl.com/2c68n7p)created a strong reaction. At first when I saw this picture I noticed the flames and smoke, and like Sara said, showing Sherman's use of total war, but what caught my eye the most was the people there just standing and watching. Not only does the picture show soldiers, but there are also women and children. It makes me wonder what they were thinking of when they saw the railroad burning. I also noticed one man walking away carrying a knapsack. It seems like he symbolizes that it's over for the confederates and instead of watching to see what's going to happen next, it's time to move on.

Unknown said...

I also think Sherman's Troops Burning a Railroad Station (http://tinyurl.com/2gg34)evokes the strongest emotion. I can feel the fear and shock of the people watching. This may have for the first time brought the war into these people's lves. Sherman burned all of Georgia (maybe an exaggeration) so scenes like this were happening all around causing devistaion. This makes me think about how the southerners must have felt which doesn't happen often. It was an effective, but maybe a little harsh method.

mike51095 said...

The picture that evokes the strongest reaction from me would have to be "The Battle of Gettysburg". The reaction I felt was sadness because it features dead soldiers just lying in a field after the battle. The fist thought I had as I was viewing this photo was that it basically summed up the entire civil war in one photo. There was no other war in American history where there were more casualties than the civil war and this photo shows men from both sides who were killed and just laying in a field. In my opinion, the civil war years were the darkest years in American History. -Mike Signore

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

First of all, the fact that the photos are taken from old black-and-white cameras make the images even more stirring. The picture that evoked the strongest reaction from me was “Dead Civil War Soldiers” from the Battle of Gettysburg, at http://tinyurl.com/28krhq7
I found this picture to be especially eerie because it shows the dead bodies of federal soldiers in uncomfortable positions; it shows the level of pain they went through before their death. It amazes me how someone can go through that great amount of pain and sacrifice their life for even a large cause like this. What was particularly creepy about this photo was that in the faded background, there are still bodies scattered throughout the plain.

Unknown said...

The picture labeled "The Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse" irks me the most. to see that kinda of pain and suffering on another human... It's devastating and at the same time it gives me a perspective on how far people were willing to go to win. I agree with Jeanette that the black and white aspect adds to the horror... The silence these pictures hold within them is beyond depressing.

Unknown said...

The picture that evokes the strongest reaction in me is the "Battle of Gettysburg" picture. It makes me feel bad for these soldiers who fought and died for their cause. It shows how far people will go for what they believed in. In this case, these soldiers believed in saving the Union or they believed in the Confederacy. Also I feel like it wasn't fair that people young and old had to die over the issue of state's rights, because this issue could have been dealt with in a different way. Finally, this picture makes me feel lucky that I did not grow up during this time, because if I did, then I could have ended up like those dead soldiers laying in the field.

Yazan said...

the picture that probably sent the most chills up my spine is titled GENERAL PICKETT's CHARGE AT CEMETERY HILL. that picture is awesome in its own sick way. after going over this, you know how the future of these young unsuspecting rebels is going to end. reading the part on the site that begins with "Confederate General George Pickett..." really gives you an understanding of this carnage but valiant last stand.
mainly, the 2 parts of the picture that sent the adrenaline rush were the general with the sword raised and in the other arm shooting the rebel who looks like he is 3 feet away. it shows the great intensity of the battle and the determination of their cause. the 2nd part is the row of union soldiers with the flag-bearer leading them. i cant help but wonder if their bravery will be cause of their slaughter.

Yazan said...

oh, and its thing is
http://tinyurl.com/rny5n.
sorry for any inconvenience

When Will We Understand said...

I saw in one picture that men were running with flags in their hands, I understand it is a representation of the Union or Confederacy, but your just an easy target so what is the purpose besides just giving away easy kills.
The picture that caught my attention was the picture of "The Battle of Fredericksburg" Volunteers Crossing the River (http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/fredericksburg/battle-fredericksburg.jpg). It evoked the biggest reaction from me in that volunteers for the war had such dedication to win the war. Their feriousity while crossing the river shows how much the war meant and how strong people felt about the war. These men were racing across the river as Union men were left behind dying as Confederates were coming down the hill. This goes to show that the conditions of the war and all the commotion, was a terrible war but all the much necessary.

Unknown said...

For me, that photo that caught my attention as soon as viewing it was "The Dead at Little Round top"(http://tinyurl.com/264nsok) For some reason this photograph opened my eyes to the horrors of the civil war more than before. It made me ponder what was running through the confederates mind when they were making Pickett's Charge, watching friends next to them being torn in two by bullets. It even made me wonder what the Union was thinking, if it had ever struck them that they were slaughtering people that they had once shared a nation with. The civil war was truly the darkest time in American History, our great nation was literally tearing each other in two, and the battle of Gettysburg and Little Round Top was one of the bloodiest times of the war. I can't fathom the heartbreak that a family with soldiers on both sides of this war must have endured.

Unknown said...

The image that bothered me the most had to have been

http://tinyurl.com/5uyro

It is entitled, "Dead Civil War Soldiers at Antietam." My reaction to this was initial disgust that war and the killing of people were/are believed to be problem solving. Even more than that, I just found it extremely sad to see so many dead men lined up. As I view this photo, I agree with Jeanette when she says that the black and white of it just adds onto the scariness, and depressive ideas when noticed. All of these photos definitely get strong reactions out of me but this one, taken during the Battle of Antietam (the bloodiest day) just really evoked me the most.
-Jenna Ryan

mrowl12345 said...

After taking a look at all these pictures, i am both astounded and disgusted at the horifieing images they hold. Many of the pictues showing dead bodies on the battle field at the Battle of Antietem, and the Battle of Gettysburg. We have seen similar pictures like these during class, and the are all extremely grusome and depict for the first time the actuall carnage straight from the battle field. Never before in history have pictures like these been taken. The picture that envokes the strongest reaction from me is http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/fredericksburg/battle-fredericksburg.jpg at the battle of fredricksburg with all the soilders marching off their rafts and into the water. I think it once again did a good job at depicting the harsheness of the war.

Unknown said...

Burning of the arsenal at Harper 's Ferry gave me the strongest message as Caitlin said. Seeing the ordinary people just watching the building burn made me feel so bad. The people were so helpless standing there. They really did not deserve to have crazy raids like this go on in their towns. Although many people say he was not crazy, to do such awful acts of destruction means you have to be a little crazy. Or just completely emotionless, I do not believe John brown had to do such horrific acts. If anything, it just made tensions that much worse between the north and south. I think this picture was great at showing the terrible things that people would do because of how strongly they felt about slavery in the south. http://mytinyurl.com/2fjzk3w

Unknown said...

I thought the most thought provoking picture was "The Battle of Fredericksburg" Volunteers Crossing the River, http://tinyurl.com/2cynbg. The look the artist put on their faces shows the terror that I would have expected of men going into battle, or fleeing from it in this case. When you see this picture you can't help but feel bad for all of the terrible pain, sacrifice, and disappointment the Union had to go through to save the strong country we live in today, and I feel that this picture perfectly portrays that. There is also a very large number of soldiers shown retreating ( I don't know if the was just to make the picture look better),but it lets you imagine what it must have looked like for the civilians watching the battle happen. If I had to choose my second favorite image it would be The same as Mike and I Christine (i think) because the nailing of the flag give a very strong sense of patriotism and that is one of the best ideas a picture could portray.

Unknown said...

The picture that evoked the greatest reaction was the picture with sherman's troops burning the railroad (http://tinyurl.com/2c68n7p). I agree with Becky because I also was able to feel the pain and sufferein innocent southerners were going through during that period of time. Also it shows the determination of the union troopers and that they would destroy anything in their path. Sherman's troop nearly burned all of Georgia. Even though the north was able to take control of Georgia, the method they used may have been a little to harsh.

Sarah said...

http://tinyurl.com/22nxk2q

This picture we saw (I think on the video) in class today demanded the greatest reaction from me when compared to the photos in Harpers Weekly. This is because the photo of the skeleton-looking guy is just gross to look at and the picture exemplifies the poor conditions of the Andersonville Prison.