Brigade Officers of the Horse Artillery (Library of Congress)

Find your photograph

Group of Surgeons of the Army of the James (Library of Congress)

Photographs were taken extensively during the Civil War. However, the technology at the time required the subjects to be still. Therefore, the photos consist mainly of portraits, scenes of military personnel, preparations for battle, and battle after-math. Click the link below to learn more about how photos were taken during the Civil War.

Taking Photographs at the time of the Civil War

Historians and writers of historical fiction can analyze photographs to extract first-hand information. For this reason photos are considered primary source documents. The Library of Congress maintains an online collection of 1,118 photographs taken during the Civil War era.

Library of Congress selected Civil War photographs

You will either search or browse this collection to:

• find at least one photograph that contains a subject that will portray your Civil War identity, you will include this photo with your biographical sketch
• find at least one photograph that will help set the scene for something you will discuss in your letter home
• complete a photo analysis worksheet for two photos (Located by clicking on Worksheets from the menu on the left)