Cumberland Township near Round Top in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Civil War Photography

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

1. Civil War Photography Marker

Inscription. Prior to the Civil War many Americans' view of war was formed by artistic illustration and woodcuts. These presentations promoted the heroic aspects of war, rather than its reality. Civil War photography graphically captured battlefield savagery, carnage, and loss. It brought the war home. Photographer Alexander Gardner and his assistants, Timothy Sullivan and James Gibson, arrived at Gettysburg on July 5. Their photographs delivered gruesome images to the nation, but they also took artistic license in staging bodies and accoutrements for dramatic effect. One of Gardner's most iconic images depicted a dead Confederate sharpshooter at the base of the wall ahead. This infantry soldier likely died forty yards behind you and was moved to this location for this specific photograph.

Erected 2021 by The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 47.503′ N, 77° 14.577′ W. Marker is near Round Top, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Sickles Avenue, 0.2 miles west of Warren Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is near the top of Devil's Den at the famous "sharpshooter

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position.". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Attack on Devil's Den (within shouting distance of this marker); Robertson's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th New York Independent Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Holding Houck's Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Benning's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Slaughter at Devil's Den (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shaping the Battlefield (about 300 feet away); 99th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Round Top.

Also see . . . Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “Confederate Sharpshooter?” (Submitted on January 27, 2021.)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

2. Civil War Photography Marker

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

3. Civil War Photography Marker

This view looks toward the northeast.

The Sharpshooter's "Den" or "Nest" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

4. The Sharpshooter's "Den" or "Nest"

This view looks toward the south.

Location of the Staged Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, August 22, 2009

5. Location of the Staged Photo

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on January 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.