Civil War Photo Analysis: Cold Harbor Horrors w/ Garry Adelman

Рет қаралды 61,915

Күн бұрын

When it comes to picking apart Civil War photos, there's no one better than Garry Adelman of the American Battlefield Trust. As we approach the 160th anniversary, we're having a chat with Garry about some of the photos from the Battle of Cold Harbor.
Note: the images used in this video were sourced from the Library of Congress and are used by the National Park Service and many other government entities to educate people of all ages about the Civil War. All images fall within KZbin's EDSA guidelines and are only being shown for their historic value.
Subscribe to and check out all of the excellent work of the American Battlefield Trust here: / @americanbattlefieldtrust

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@FourStatesNoise 4 ай бұрын

Garry Adelman and JD: Two of the best. This video just made my evening! Genuinely enjoy the content created on both channels.

@staciehahn9175 4 ай бұрын

Your channel, along with the American Battlefield Trust channel, single-handedly ignited my interest in the Civil War. By happenstance, I ended up moving to Kingston, GA & we found shot-balls often when landscaping. I now live in Resaca and I take my toddler to walk the beautiful Resaca Battlefield trails & the Fort Wayne (2 minutes east of the Resaca site,) every weekend. It is thanks to historians like you two, that I even took more interest in my 51st Ohio direct ancestor. Tracing his path during the Atlanta Campaign has brought great meaning to my life! I’ve been archiving all my research notes lately, in hopes maybe spark a passion for my kids in future decades. Thank You both for your time and contributions!!!🎉❤🎉❤

@ericfoote2601 4 ай бұрын

JD and Gary my 2 favorite and fantastic history nerds watch and learn so much from you guys keep up the great work you all do !!

@GettysburgLentz 4 ай бұрын

I could not be happier with a video. This is an intersection of two of my favorite channels on KZbin. Garry has such a palpable passion for photography and is a wealth of information. Thank you so much for spending time on this subject. I learned a lot.

@AmericanBattlefieldTrust 4 ай бұрын

Mike Lentz

@dantehill4748 4 ай бұрын

JD, I grew up and still live (somewhat) In the Cold Harbor area. There's so much history in this area from the Civil and Revolutionary wars and more. It would be fantastic to witness a live history lesson on the ground here in Cold Harbor taught by you. I'm sure I could learn a lot more than I ever even knew about my home town!

@Rebelmediainc 4 ай бұрын

Gary is the man!!!

@johnstup4479 4 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the video JD. Love seeing old photographs. Garry's vast knowledge of the Civil War is awesome. I hope you do bring Garry back for more Civil War photography analysis.

@kimberleyannedemong5621 4 ай бұрын

I am a proud civil war nerd. Excellent video. Thank you JD and Garry. ❤

@DonQuixote1918 4 ай бұрын

My great-great-grandfather was wounded in this battle. He was in the New York 7th Heavy Artillery (used as infantry in 1864). He was wounded during Barlow's charge on the southern end of the Confederate trenches by a bayonet stab in his thigh. He spent several months in a hospital in Pennsylvania and was discharged due to his wound.

@jacqueline4514 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for the Civil War content! I’ve started and stopped Shelby Foote’s Civil War series and really need to make the time to dive in; take a vacation to do some much wanted Civil War reading. I am familiar with the American Battlefield Trust via the Civil War Journal documentaries. Plan to go to Gettysburg this summer as well as Grant’s tomb.

@d.g.n9392 4 ай бұрын

Your channel is my favorite to learn and watch the history. I’ve just learned in the past couple years, more about some of my family tree ancestors from civil war time. And that I have access to some documents and photos. Your topic tonight is inspiring me to go a bit further in their (my family) civil war service, where and when.

@williamkrausejr2149 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely love the video!! In the photo of the photographer sitting by his wagon, it appears that the individual and horse to the right are covered by a partial fingerprint. Perhaps someone touched the plate while it was still wet? Found it interesting that it could be the photographers fingerprint. Keep up the great work.

@Wdstroud 4 ай бұрын

Great great discussion Thank you JD.

@frankboyd7993 4 ай бұрын

Im about three miles from Spotsylvania Courthouse. :-) So much Colonial, Revolutionary War, and Civil War history surrounds this area. Love your channel!

@bobpowers6239 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Gary and JD for the episode

@peterbrown1208 4 ай бұрын

Gary always makes a very fast hour. JD great as always. Good vid. I say a pepper box. I've shot one when I was a kid. Three barrels a side. ,22 cal ball. Two triggers. Close quarters weapon. So you didn't have to get as close as a knife. Frassanito best work was his Gettysburg then and now book. Blew my mind when he proved the photog moved the body of the Devils Den soldier and posed him. Talk about no shame. You and Gary need to do more of these. Sorry. Got to rambling. Keep it up sir.

@davidolien2828 4 ай бұрын

I’m about to travel with friends from our Williamsburg book club to Cold Harbor. You added immeasurably to our upcoming experience. Thank you. I love all your work JD

@jamesjustus6568 4 ай бұрын

My first thought of the object in the soldier’s hand was a pepperbox revolver also. Looks like he has his finger curled around the front of the trigger guard. The kneeling soldier has a pistol of some sort stuffed in his belt. Y’all talked about the photographers setting the scene of their pictures, directing the participants to pose this way or that. Looks to me like maybe the photo taker composed it by having the three standing fix their bayonets and cant their rifle muskets from right to left then brandish their sidearms, and the kneeler his rifle musket with his sidearm visible. Great collaboration!

@randygraf2474 4 ай бұрын

Howdy JD, really enjoyed video with Garry, also big fan of the American battlefield trust; I had read that lot of civil war glass plates were lost or destroyed (some used in greenhouse) because people just wanted to forget the work, thanks and God bless.

@sonofhawaii4227 4 ай бұрын

Good Gravy! This was great guys! Maybe this could turn into a regular thing? I sure hope so. Thanks to Gary for his knowledge and insight. JD, well done pal. Aloha 🤙🏼

@mendo35 4 ай бұрын

What a great start to my day, I adore old photos from the US civil war and Crimea War.

@davidfears3384 4 ай бұрын

Im watching. Don't live far from Brices Crossroads and Tupelo. Love you both. I'm a civil war nerd and unashamed! You two are heros!

@RoTy4life 4 ай бұрын

Awesome! I straight on liked this video, simply because two of my history favorites on KZbin are in it 😎 Thank you so much both of you

@matronista 3 ай бұрын

My husband & I were camping & I saw a backwoods Civil War museum. I grew up going to the best museums this world offers, but this was the best. I’ve done a vid about it on my channel. But I didn’t take any photos of the inside, but as you entered the museum, there was all the ghost photos taken. They were exceptional. The owner took us on his golf cart & told us there were dozens of soldiers buried there. There was one house that they rented out sort of like a B&B. He told us of the ghosts that are seen in there. Also, a place for recreators to change clothes. BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING, was when the proprietor put a bullet in my hand. I looked at it closely and it had deep teeth marks in it. I was trying to absorb it’s energy, when the old man explained it came from a soldier biting on it during an amputation. It was an honor to be able to hold it.

@FreedomOfSpeech1776 4 ай бұрын

Very nice video, well done, would like to see more photos, now I am more hooked on your videos, Thank You

@MsRiley1956 4 ай бұрын

Pepper box pistol is what he's holding. I feel the same way someone mentioned earlier looks pretty clear. If it were a stick of dynamite, he wouldn't have his index finger in the position that it's in. Thanks for the video, it was great

@Realstuffadventures 3 ай бұрын

Enjoyed this very much. Yep...I am a Photo Nerd for sure. Since LOC scanned images in HD I have had a ball searching through them and discovering "Easter Eggs" Like Paul Harvey used to say "and now you know the rest of the story" well at least we are able to learn even more. "online archeology" . Hey keep up the great work on your channel, I thoroughly enjoy your style and delivery.

@sterlingmoose9335 4 ай бұрын

Great work JD, Garry too!!

@Wayfarer001 4 ай бұрын

I live about 3 miles from Cold Harbor. Pass through its intersection almost daily. Beautiful place,now.

@tomwarner2468 4 ай бұрын

You can see the barrels and I think you faintly can the hammer on the side ! I think it's a pepper box pistol!

@davidwilhelm3431 4 ай бұрын

You guys are two of my favorites. Great video. Thank you!

@zoereeves6071 4 ай бұрын

My grandmother who grew during the turn of the century told me that it wasn't proper to smile when you got your picture taken because the smile depicted vanity!

@cdnrednck 4 ай бұрын

GREAT VIDEO you two work good together great job

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

@MaylaJ. 4 ай бұрын

Wish I could give this more than one thumb up!

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

👍🏻👍🏻

@joshuagibson2520 4 ай бұрын

I too only have one thumb. The right one was cut off.

@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f 4 ай бұрын

Excellent ! Simply excellent . . .

@hartley9958 4 ай бұрын

Love the Gazza a walking bible of the civil war awesome...

@Gitarzan66 4 ай бұрын

I believe that soldier was holding a flask of crunchy peanut butter. It is very good on hardtack.

@trish5556 4 ай бұрын

This episode was so awesome, especially since it hit home to me. My husband's great-great uncle Samuel Turner from Oglethorpe County, Georgia was killed at the battle of First Cold Harbor, or Gaines Mill. I am the Turner family historian and did a lot of research trying to find out where Samuel is buried. I found a book in Oglethorpe County that took excerpts from their local paper about the 4 units from that county who fought for the Confederacy. I am going to copy and paste what I found, which backs up some of the photos you showed of them removing the bodies long afterwards. From This They Remembered 1861-1865, The history of the four companies and those in other companies, who went from Oglethorpe County to serve in the War Between the States. Editor: Gussie Reese. Tom Cobb Infantry: “In this engagement Company E suffered terribly, their loss in killed and wounded was 27 men. Seven were left dead on the field, viz; J.W. Jackson, Elijah Pratt, John Peter Huff, James M. Glenn, Samuel Turner, Wm. G. Howard, and John Fleeman. James Callahan died of his wounds 29th of June; Geo W. Nash died of his wounds 11th of July; James Fleeman died in July; John H. Day died of his wounds in August; Woodson B. Harris died of his wounds in August. Twelve killed in this battle.” -page 79. “The next day after the battle we performed the sad duty of burying our dead, far from their native homes. They filled a soldier’s grave-buried without coffin or a shroud….-page 81. All bodies were later removed and reinterred at the Hollywood Cemetery or Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia - many in unmarked graves. According to the register of Oakwood Cemetery (located at the archives of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia) an S. Turner was buried there who had died around June 27, 1862. I visited that spot in the Oakwood Cemetery where I believe young Samuel was buried. I also visited the Cold Harbor battle site. On another note, I love how you emphasized how you need to look at all the details in an old photo. I have learned a lot about my ancestors by zooming in on the photo and carefully examining it. It was in this manner that I found my grandmother's nephew in Germany was wearing a swastika pin during Hitler's reign. I had been told none of her family were Nazi sympathizers. By doing more research I found his father's name listed as helping Hitler gain credence in the Munich area before the war. You never know what you will find. JD, I love all your KZbin channels and thank you for all you do to bring history alive.

@edwinbruner1026 4 ай бұрын

Wow! Throughly enjoyed the back and fourth comments between JD and GA.

@ChrisHughes-q1v 3 ай бұрын

You go to the American Battlefield Trust, and Gary does some awesome content. They are awesome teachers. I stay stuck on that channel. Especially the Antietam ones. And I love Gettysnerd game show!

@oldtanker4860 4 ай бұрын

The picture that has the 4 soldiers, the one guy standing center looks like he is holding a pepperbox pistol.

@musketbal 4 ай бұрын

Rob Gibson is very well known in the Civil War photography. He had a Civil War photo Gallery in Gettysburg were he took tin types for the public. I was a reenactor for many years and had many photo's taken by him. I am not sure if he still does it.

@alistairwilson3084 3 ай бұрын

This is such an awesome and interesting video, the hour just flew by I want you to know that when my wife asks why I’m behind on varnishing the garden furniture, I’m going to be blaming you and Gary 😉

@maryhawk6905 4 ай бұрын

Insightful presentation on a battle I’ve personally never heard of. I also find it amazing how detailed those old photos could be. 👏🏼

@kingjoe3rd 4 ай бұрын

Gary is the best. I was watching an old History channel program the other day on the Civil War and a very young Gary Adelman showed up on my screen wearing a shirt that looked like he managed a restaurant, and now I know that he was actually the real deal. I can't wait to take a trip up to Gettysburg and see where my forefathers of the Alabama and Mississippi regiments fought, and hope I am lucky enough to have a guide that is good as Gary.

@marypasco2213 4 ай бұрын

13:55 - 22:09 The camera has been moved between photographs. If Grant was first, there is less of the tent opening. The tree is pretty much in the middle of the tent opening. The second photograph, the box, with Grant's name on it, is/was called a "Campaign Chest". It would contain items specifically for that person; coffee cup(s), wine/spirits (glasses), 'small clothes', maybe a spare hat, gloves, sash, epaulettes, handkerchiefs, a change of clothes..... The knot, of the rope on the tree, is more to the right. Just observational.

@JP-AP 4 ай бұрын

Reno? I agree with earlier comments about prioritizing thee renovations to the stadium, you don't have to do it all right now, but obviously, some things need to be done. Thanks for the update.

@davidsawmandave8731 3 ай бұрын

Great video guys , I live near cold harbor and know of 2 relic hunting legends that live on the battlefields and it is mind blowing what they have found , they were doing it in the beginning with ww2 army mine detectors and moving up to the double eagle machines , these were tube operated and the coils were massive !!! One man recently passed and built his house around his collection, I recently went in the house and couldn't believe it , this wasn't counting in the out buildings and the other legend (heard this account) credited himself for finding over 1000 civil war buckles, I know this man as well , these guys were just 2 early old Timers who have been hunting this area since the early 50's , but there are thousands of detectorist who currently or have hunted cold harbor for relics and all have wow factor stories there !!! I am 1 of them Great to see the old photos , adams farm is under the trust now , but years ago I went digging there before the trust , that place has turned out some amazing stuff !!

@RickyTick460 4 ай бұрын

The soldier holding the thing in his hand looks like a pepper box pistol. It sure could be!!

@maryh1421 4 ай бұрын

My 2x grandfather was wounded at Cold Harbor and his leg had to be amputated. I have an old photo of him in his uniform. I really enjoyed this video about Cold Harbor.

@evdallas123 4 ай бұрын

My great great grandfather fought and was wounded at cold harbor csa

@fryuppe 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely priceless episode - thank you so much gentlemen.

@billhendrixson6234 4 ай бұрын

Re: object at 52:05 - It looks a lot like a "Pepperbox revolver, " which also fits thematically alongside the other CQB armaments in the shot.

@louisianagray8618 4 ай бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyed yours video fellows and yes I agree definitely a pepper box

@paulnienhaus5359 4 ай бұрын

Great job guys! Many thanks.

@Powerule23 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely fascinating.

@garyjd1166 3 ай бұрын

Comment on the men in the 10th Mass photo. The soldier kneeling in front clearly has pistol tucked into his belt. Now look at the soldier holding what was described as "dynamite". First, look at the way he's holding it. His fingers are not wrapped around it the way you think they would be if it were a stick of dynamite. His index finger appears to be resting over top of something. Now look at the flat portion of the "stick", it's flat but also appears to show slight traces holes or indentations of some sort. I think he's holding a pepperbox pistol, and his index finger is resting over top the trigger guard.

@johnrflower3285 4 ай бұрын

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. ENJOYED THIS VIDEO!!😊

@Former0311 3 ай бұрын

It is nice to see two of my favorite historians in the same video.

@gaylebordeaux7632 3 ай бұрын

Wow what a great show, Thank You.

@davidlloyd150 4 ай бұрын

You guys are the best

@garys.4789 4 ай бұрын

You 2 make a great team 😎👍

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

@bryonhogg485 4 ай бұрын

Guy's - It's a Pepperbox Pistol - Barrel holes ( Multiple ) - Look at the fluted chambers - Discern the light and shadow

@artcook1407 3 ай бұрын

My family fought every war in this country God bless America

@MrDirtydon 4 ай бұрын

The guy with the "X" over his head isn't holding a stick of dynamite! It's a pepper box pistol!!

@garys.4789 4 ай бұрын

I am also a proud member of the American battlefield trust and a monthly donor 😎👍

@garys.4789 4 ай бұрын

I met Garry once at Gettysburg and hope to meet you someday JD 😎👍

@ChrisHughes-q1v 3 ай бұрын

Im a Civil War nerd. Thats why Im here. Im searching. Lol. TY Gary.

@joecolflesh7700 4 ай бұрын

The object in the soldiers right hand appears to be a "Pepperbox pistol".

@douglasellis2491 4 ай бұрын

@bryonhogg485 4 ай бұрын

It's a Pepperbox Pistol - You can see approximately ( 8 ) or ( 9 ) barrels . . .

@donpumsey413 3 ай бұрын

I just found a couple of bullets and an eagle button in Cold Harbor this past week. Good timing!

@alanjones3874 4 ай бұрын

Enfield rifled muskets and bayonets in the hands of the Yankee soldiers . Oh well , they had them . Great show , again .

@workingguy6666 4 ай бұрын

50:43 - that is clearly the barrels of a pepperbox pistol

@ronyantz7349 4 ай бұрын

Great work ! guys

@geoffgay3637 4 ай бұрын

JD this was very interesting.I guess it’s because I live 1 mile from Gaines Mill and Cold Harbor Battlefield ..and the Gathright house ..Lots of living history in this area.. Artifacts and ghost stories abound here..I vote more Civil war please..

@musketbal 4 ай бұрын

The item could be a pepper box pistol in the photo with the 4 soldiers.

@joshuagibson2520 4 ай бұрын

51:00 looks like an Allen & Thurber round style pepper box. Im about 90% sure.

@Subvetsteve 4 ай бұрын

Great show! Thanks for sharing!

@marypasco2213 4 ай бұрын

Talking about lost battlefields...The Alamo, in San Antonio, Tx., has been built right up to the Mission. The area where the defenders' bodies were piled and burned, is now a street, going right through the Mission grounds. 😢😡

@patriciacourtier-rouse1173 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@davidburroughs2244 4 ай бұрын

whew, this was cool, thanks for sharing with us.

@geoffthiessen646 4 ай бұрын

What a great video - great guess aswell

@terryeustice5399 4 ай бұрын

I think it may be a bundle of small cigars. Does not look like dynamite. Thanks JD and Garry. 💯👊👍

@brianjohnston413 4 ай бұрын

I want to be Gary Adelman when i grow up.

@Grunt802VT 4 ай бұрын

He has Brilliant Knowledge that only few possess on Battlefields

@tomwarner2468 4 ай бұрын

The brace to hold them still for the picture I saw in the apple dumpling gang rides again!

@skipjohnson7255 2 ай бұрын

That thing the solder is holding is a Pepper box pistol , six barrels !

@joshuagibson2520 4 ай бұрын

What is the box inside the tent? 19:00. Oh cool. You guys mentioned it.

@fredmelchiorre9444 4 ай бұрын

I think it is the Pepperbox Revolver . It looks like he is holding it barrel up. Look up an image of the gun.

@ChrisHughes-q1v 3 ай бұрын

This channel is awesome.

@tomray8765 4 ай бұрын

You know you can see these dual pics in 3D, on screen, simply by slightly crossing your eyes until you see THREE images. then focus on the middle image. It's a bit tricky, at first, but the middle image will snap into focus and you will see it in 3D,

@CarolinaThreeper3534 4 ай бұрын

Nice chops Gary. They look good bro

@mocpehusrainey4961 4 ай бұрын

The guy in the middle at about 50 minutes is holding a gun of some kind, you can see evenly spaced holes at the top and his forefinger is in a spot where a trigger would be. Anyway, that's my private investigator theory.

@miketike3246 4 ай бұрын

That famous photo of the soldiers' skulls and remains on the army stretchers with the laborers digging in the background is possibly not from Cold Harbor. It may have been taken after the battle of Gaines' Mill during the Seven Days campaign in 1862. Or at least there's some evidence to suggest it. There's a whole series of images of the dead at Gaines' Mill, and this photo is thought to be from that series, and has been possibly misidentified as being from Cold Harbor.