"Then & Now" Photos of Gettysburg

These Then-And-Now pictures bring together some of the more unforgettable pictures of post-battle Gettysburg with modern versions taken from the same location as the originals. For many, these photographs conjure feelings of awe and amazement along with sadness and despair. These feelings are often magnified when visitors realize they can stand on the same ground – and see the same things – that Alexander Gardner, Timothy O’Sullivan, James Gibson, and others did when they took their unforgettable images in 1863, 1913, and 1938. It is with these unforgettable photographs in mind, and a nod to the men whose timeless images evoke such strong emotions, that we bring you this page. This is our attempt to look back through the windows of time.

LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

A photographer’s assistant sits on a fence, looking up at the Lutheran Theological Seminary building. Library of Congress.

The seminary and the ground before it looks much like it did in 1863. A few additional buildings surround the seminary. NPS Photo.

Built in 1832, the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary was the first Lutheran seminary in the country. Students studied for the ministry and religious education and continues to operate today. The ridge where the seminary was built would be named Seminary Ridge and this prominent location would become the jumping off point for thousands of Confederate soldiers throughout the battle. This structure, Schmucker Hall, was used to house wounded from both armies during and after the Battle of Gettysburg.

MCPHERSON FARM

Matthew Brady and his assistant look upon the McPherson farm buildings – July, 1863. Gettysburg National Military Park

The McPherson barn is the only remnant of the farm today. The home burned down in 1895 and the center wagon shed no longer stands. NPS Photo.

The Edward McPherson Farm, which lies west of town, was the scene of heavy fighting on the first day of battle, July 1, 1863. While Confederate General Henry Heth’s Division advanced towards Gettysburg against defending Union cavalry commanded by General John Buford, Union reinforcements from General John Reynolds’ First Corps arrived. The fields swarmed with soldiers of opposing forces and the McPherson barn quickly became a sanctuary for the wounded. When fighting ceased, the barn and home continued as a hospital, leaving the property uninhabitable for months.

LITTLE AND BIG ROUND TOP FROM THE VALLEY OF DEATH

A photo of Little and Big Round Top, facing southeast. Photographer Matthew Brady can be seen leaning against a tree in the left foreground. Library of Congress.

From today’s viewpoint, not much has changed other than the amount of growth on and near the Round Tops. NPS Photo.

From this angle, it is easy to see why many soldiers called Little Round Top, ‘the mountain’. With its steep incline and rocky ground, one can only imagine how daunting it would be to try and ascend the slopes while under fire. On July 2, the Union army would gain the upper hand with their claim on this valuable piece of geography.

SUMMIT OF LITTLE ROUND TOP

Little Round Top was the scene of intense fighting on July 2, 1863. From its summit looking northward, one could see much of Gettysburg, including the Codori farm, Oak Hill, the Brian farm, the “Copse of Trees” and the Wheatfield Road. Many of these place Library of Congress.

A view from Little Round Top today. The Pennsylvania Memorial can be seen in the distance. NPS Photo.

Little Round Top was the scene of intense fighting on July 2, 1863. From its summit looking northward, one could see much of Gettysburg, including the Codori farm, Oak Hill, the Brian farm, the “Copse of Trees” and the Wheatfield Road. Many of these places can still be seen today from the same vantage point.

FORTIFICATIONS ON LITTLE ROUND TOP

Natural and manmade fortifications built by Union troops on July 2, 1863 on the southern slope of Little Round Top. Library of Congress.

Three or four large boulders act as landmarks for the original photo. Although the area is heavily trod, remnants of the stone barricade can be seen to the right of the photo. NPS Photo.

Little Round Top was not only a valuable defense point because of its height, but also because of its natural geography. The ‘mountain’, as some soldiers called it, was littered with large boulders which provided Union soldiers shelter from Confederate bullets. The three large boulders in this photograph would have given protection to the soldiers taking aim from behind them. Temporary stone walls would have been easy to build with the vast number of rocks nearby. This scene was captured by Timothy O’Sullivan just days after the battle.

TROSTLE BARN WITH DEAD HORSES FROM BIGELOW’S BATTERY

The carcasses of dead horses from Bigelow’s 9th Massachusetts Battery can be seen scattered across the yard of the Trostle farm. Library of Congress.

The only sign remaining from the battle is a large hole in the brick gable of the barn left by a cannonball. NPS Photo.

The scene in this series of photos shows the Trostle barn, made famous by the large cannonball hole in the brick facade. By comparing the two photos, one can see just how many dead horses littered the property where Bigelow’s 9th Massachusetts Battery was overrun by the 21st Mississippi Infantry. This photo was captured by Timothy O’Sullivan.

SKETCH ARTIST ALFRED WAUD IN DEVIL'S DEN

Alfred Waud sits on a rock in Devil’s Den, overlooking the second day’s battlefield in front of him.?Library of Congress.The central boulder and surrounding boulders identify the exact spot where Waud sat in 1863.?NPS Photo.

Alfred Waud was a sketch artist who worked for Harper’s Weekly magazine at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. This photograph creates a fascinating?juxtopostion between?the long-standing artform of sketching and the new technology of the day in photography. It is likely that Alfred Waud and the photograpy team of Alexander Gardner, Timothy O'Sullivan, and James Gibson crossed paths during the Civil War and were aware of each others work. This photograph may have been a professional courtesy between the "war correspondents" of the day.

CONFEDERATE DEAD NEAR PLUM RUN IN THE SLAUGHTER PEN

Two dead Confederate soldiers lie on the bank of a small pond, surrounded by large boulders.?Library of Congress.The modern photograph of this area reveals the Plum Run footbridge and the slope of Little Round Top in the distance.?NPS Photo.

William A. Frassanito,?Early Photography at Gettysburg?(Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 1995), 279-286.

This photograph depicts two dead Confederate soldiers in the Slaughter Pen. Years of weather and traffic have shifted some of the rocks in this area, but enough has remained unchanged that the location can be easily determined. The terms “Slaughter Pen” and “Devil’s Den” were often used interchangeably following the battle, making some photographs difficult to place based on title alone.

POSED SCENE IN THE SLAUGHTER PEN

A number of men posing as dead soldiers lie across and underneath rocks in the Slaughter Pen.?Library of Congress.The modern photo shows the same rocks, the now-wooded summit of Little Round Top in the background.?NPS Photo.

This photograph, taken by Peter Weaver on November 11, 1863, depicts a group of men posing as dead soldiers among rocks in the Slaughter Pen. The two men standing are doctors, posed as if inspecting the “bodies.” The summit of Little Round Top can be seen in the distance.

William A. Frassanito,?Early Photography at Gettysburg?(Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 1995), 294-306.

CONFEDERATE “SHARPSHOOTER” NEAR DEVIL’S DEN

A dead soldier lies in front of rocks near Devil’s Den.?Library of Congress.

The same rocks near Devil’s Den are unassuming today.?NPS Photo.

There were six separate images produced by Gardner and O’Sullivan of this “sharpshooter” on July 5 or 6, 1863. At a time when a single photograph required time and expensive materials to produce, there must have been something about this particular body which captured the photographers’ attention. Notably, the man’s youthful features and the lack of gore on the body present a somewhat sanitized and romanticized version of death at Gettysburg.

“HOME OF A REBEL SHARPSHOOTER”

A dead Confederate soldier lies behind a stone fortification, a gun propped against the rocks next to him.?Library of Congress.

?The same location today shows little change.?NPS Photo.Devil's Den

Originally produced in?Gardner’s Photographic Sketchbook of the War, this photograph has become one of the most recognizable images of the Civil War. While the gun propped against the rock would almost certainly not have been used by a sharpshooter, nor is it likely that the soldier fell in this location, this photograph nevertheless presents a powerful narrative of the struggle in and around Devil’s Den on July 2, 1863.

STAGED PHOTO AT DEVIL'S DEN

This view of Devil's Den also shows the western slope of Little Round Top in the distance to the right.?Library of Congress.This modern view of Devil's Den also shows the western slope of Little Round Top in the distance to the right.?NPS Photo.

This view of the boulders of Devil's Den shows the western slope of Little Round Top in the distance to the right. This staged photograph was taken more than four months after the battle, by Peter Weaver, on November 11, 1863 and depicts "dead Confederates" strewn among the rocks of Devil's Den.

William A. Frassanito, Early Photography at Gettysburg (Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 1995), 294-306.

Trostle Farm

TROSTLE HOUSE WITH DEAD HORSES FROM BIGELOW'S BATTERY

The historic picture of the Trostle house, held up in the center of the modern picture, shows numerous dead horses from Bigelow's Battery. Library of Congress.

The modern picture of the Trostle house is partially obscured by a large tree. The monument to Bigelow's Battery can be seen on a rock between the house and the road. NPS Photo.

The Trostle farm was the site of desperate fighting on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 as the men of the 9th Massachusetts (Bigelow’s) Battery made a couragious stand against overwhelming Confederate forces. In an attempt to stave off the advancing Confederates from Kershaw and Barksdale’s brigades, the men of Bigelow’s Battery fought desperately before they were overrun and forced to retreat to Cemetery Ridge. Their sacrifice provided valuable time for Union reinforcements to form along Cemetery Ridge and helped thwart the Confederate attack in this area. The dead horses that are visible in the yard of the Trostle house are all that was left of this courageous stand. The framework to the left of the house in the historic photograph is evidence of an 1863 addition.

MEADE'S HEADQUARTERS: LYDIA LEISTER HOUSE

The Lydia Leister house is where Union General George G. Meade made his headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg. Library of Congress.

This modern day picture looks north along the Taneytown Road. The Lydia Leister house is obscured from view by a large tree. NPS Photo.

The Lydia Leister house is where Union General George G. Meade made his headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg. Late in the evening of July 2, Meade held a council of war in this house to decide if the Union army should stay and hold their hard-fought high ground or abandon their position. The council of war decided to stay. Late in the afternoon of July 3, Confederate batteries concentrated their missiles on the center of Cemetery Ridge in an attempt to soften up the Union position. Unbeknownst to the Confederate artillerymen, their rounds overshot their intended targets and began to land around Meade’s headquarters causing substantial damage. Although the commanding general moved to a safer location, evidence of the bombardment is everywhere. The house and surrounding fences are all damaged and dead horses lay in various stages of rigormortis in the center of the Taneytown Road and in the yard of the house.

HOME OF BASIL BIGGS & FAMILY

Basil Biggs, his family, two horses and a dog can be seen standing on Taneytown Road in front of their home and barn.?Adams County Historical Society.

The original Biggs home can still be seen standing along the Taneytown Road today. The barn is not original. NPS Photo.

Basil Biggs was a free African-American who made Gettysburg his home in 1858. With the approach of Confederate troops before the battle, Biggs, his wife Mary and their seven children, fled town. Biggs and his family returned soon after the battle ended and worked to repair damage to his property and that of John Fisher, whose farm on the Taneytwon Road would become Biggs’ home that fall. Biggs was hired to work in the exhumation of Union dead from battlefield graves for burial in the National Cemetery. He was paid $1.25 per body.

Rose Woods

CONFEDERATE DEAD NEAR THE EDGE OF THE ROSE WOODS

This view looks southwest, away from the Rose Woods. Three dead soldiers lie next to a large rock.?Library of Congress.

The distinguishing marks on the large rock are still visible today.?NPS Photo.

This photo was one of a series of well-known photographs taken by Timothy O’Sullivan and Alexander Gardner on July 5 or 6, 1863, near the edge of the Rose Woods. The dead soldier nearest to boulder is lying in a shallow grave.

A group of Confederate dead lie near the edge of the Rose Woods.?Library of Congress.A large split rock provides a reference point for the location of the original photograph.?NPS Photo.

Another image from Gardner and O’Sullivan’s Rose Woods series, this photograph depicts a group of Confederate dead gathered for burial. These men were likely from either Georgia or South Carolina regiments, which fought in and around the Rose Woods on July 2, 1863.

CONFEDERATE DEAD NEAR THE EDGE OF THE ROSE WOODS

A group of dead Confederate soldiers lay in a field near the Rose Woods. This view faces north.?Library of Congress.The boulder in the foreground and dome shaped boulder in the background provide a reference point for where the camera tripod stood in 1863.?NPS Photo.

Another image from Gardner and O’Sullivan’s Rose Woods series. By comparing the bodies, one can see that the first Then & Now photograph of the same group was taken just a few steps northeast of this photo, facing west. The photographers’ darkroom wagon can be seen in the background of the original photo.

1913 REUNION - 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG

ANNIVERSARY ATTENDEES LOUNGE ON THE PENNSYLVANIA MEMORIAL STAIRS

Veterans and others can be seen lounging on the stairs and lower level of the Pennsylvania Memorial at the 50th Anniversary in 1913. International News Service – Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg report of the Pennsylvania Commission.

The Pennsylvania Memorial on Cemetery Ridge sits unchanged, the only piece missing from the ‘Today’ photo being the mass of veterans. NPS Photo.

The Pennsylvania Memorial was dedicated in 1910 and stands 110 feet tall, making it the largest monument at Gettysburg. A spiral staircase inside the northwest column takes visitors to the top of the monument where a sweeping view of the battlefield can be seen. On the base and interior of the memorial are bronze tablets which list the regiments and batteries that fought at Gettysburg. There are also two statues on each side of the memorial—these include notable figures such as President Abraham Lincoln, Major General John F. Reynolds and Major General George G. Meade.

91ST PA MONUMENT – 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG IN JULY, 1913

Veterans and friends pose in front of the 91st Pennsylvania monument on Little Round Top. Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg report of the Pennsylvania Commission.

The monument as it stands today at the summit of Little Round Top. *NOTE: The asphalt plaza surrounding the 91st PA Monument was installed by the CCC in the 1930’s and subsequent work by the NPS built the base up to the bottom stone of the monument. NPS Photo.

Veterans of the 91st Pennsylvania infantry and friends pose for a photo in front of the regiment’s monument during the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1913. Erected in 1889, the monument honors those from this regiment who fought and sacrificed their lives at Gettysburg. The regiment brought with it 258 men to the field—of those, 3 were killed and 16 were wounded.

BRIGADIER GENERAL GOUVERNEUR K. WARREN MONUMENT – 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG IN JULY, 1913

Veterans examine the monument to General Warren on the summit of Little Round Top. Behind them stands the monument to the 91st PA. American Press Association – Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg report of the Pennsylvania Commission.

General Warren stands unchanged over a century later. The 91st PA monument behind him acts as a reference point to help align the ‘Then’ photo to the ‘Now’ photo.?NPS Photo.

General Gouverneur Kemble Warren was Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Gettysburg. His monument stands on a large boulder at the summit of Little Round Top. Warren recognized how valuable Little Round Top was for the Union Army’s line on Cemetery Ridge, and discovering it unoccupied, directed Colonel Strong Vincent’s brigade to the hill’s defense followed later by General Stephen Weed’s brigade. Warren’s leadership in moving troops to this place proved critical for the Union army.

HIGH WATER MARK OF THE REBELLION MONUMENT

?Veterans gather around the High Water Mark monument. International News Service – Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg report of the Pennsylvania Commission.

The High Water Mark monument pictured today. In the background are the monuments to the 72nd and 71st Pennsylvania infantry.. NPS Photo.

Dedicated in 1892, the High Water Mark of the Rebellion monument represents both the Union and Confederate units that took part in Pickett’s Charge on the third day of battle. It sits in front of the Copse of Trees on Cemetery Ridge.

VETERANS SHAKE HANDS ACROSS THE STONE WALL ON CEMETERY RIDGE

A Confederate veteran and a Union veteran shake hands over the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge. The top of the 1st Delaware infantry monument can be seen above the heads of the Union veterans on the right of the picture.?The Last Reunion of the Blue and Gray by Paul L. Roy.