Union Dead From Confederate Cannon Canister on July 3, 1863

Union Dead From Confederate Cannon Canister on July 3, 1863

Bloated bodies of Union dead after all being killed at once from a Confederate cannon canister shot.

The camera was taken into the wheat-field near the extreme left of the Union line. The heroes had been dead about nineteen hours. It will be observed that their bodies are already much bloated by exposure to the sun. These men were killed on July 3, 1863, by one discharge of "canister" from a Confederate cannon which they were attempting to capture. Tin cans were filled with small balls about the size of marbles and when the cannon was fired the force of the discharge burst open the can, and the shower of canister balls swept everything before it. When this photograph was taken a detail had already passed over the field, and gathered the guns and accoutrements of the dead and wounded. Shoes, cartridge belts and canteens have been removed from these dead heroes as it was frequently necessary to appropriate them to relieve the needs of the living soldiers. From diamond at extreme right of picture these men are identified as belonging to the second division of third army corps.

Photo Essay of the Dead at Gettysburg's Devils Den

Photo Essay of the Dead at Gettysburg's Devils Den

    The second day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 General Longstreets corps attacked the left flank of Major Daniel Sickles III corp at Devils Den.  The Union had 2,400 defenders on the Den that was eventually captured by the confederates under John Bell Hood. The Confederates took heavy casualties, with 1,800 dead. The Union suffered 800 casualties.

Confederates Capture Devils Den as they attempt to move around the Union Army's left flank.

1863 Photo is looking from Devils Den towards Little Round Top.

Dead Confederate sharpshooter at Devils Den.

Dead Confederate soldier at Devils Den. Some of these bodies were dragged to this location by photographers.

Dead Union soldiers at Devils Den. (Staged photo)

Photo of Union soldiers dead at Devils Den. Staged Photo)

Photos of the Dead at the Battle of Gettysburg

Photos of the dead at the Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.

Confederate soldiers at Gettysburg

Union soldiers at Gettysburg before being buried by gravediggers, seen in the background. The dead with their shirts pulled up were probable shot in the gut, which was almost always fatal.

Dead confederate sharpshooter from one of the many rocky hills that surrounded Gettysburg.

Soldiers rifle, hat and knapsack as he lie mortally wounded.

Bloated bodies of Union and Confederate soldiers on Little Round Top.

Union soldiers frozen in the spot of their death at Gettysburg.  Such carnage as led many to this battlefield for ghost tours.

Confederate dead from Pickets 'charge.

Dead Union troops at Gettysburg