Civil War Photos
1864 Alexander Gardner Civil War Albumen Photo
April, 1864-Dated Civil War Albumen Photograph, "U.S. Military Telegraph Construction Corps," by Alexander Gardner, Very Fine.
This excellent large size original Civil War Period Albumen Photograph, measures 11.5" x 10" and is fully titled: "U.S. Military Telegraph Construction Corps," Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan. Positive by A. Gardener. No. 62. April, 1864. Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1866 by A. Gardner." This historic Photograph showing members of the Construction Corps stringing Telegraph wire atop newly placed Telegraph poles, possibly in Virginia. Good overall contrast and condition, with some tone and soiling from use. President Abraham Lincoln relied heavily upon the use of the Telegraph system for up to date reports from the Battlefield and to relay his commands immediately to his frontline generals. A Great Civil War photo that shows the importance of the new battlefield technology of that era... the Telegraph!
The U.S. Military Telegraph Corps was formed in 1861 following the outbreak of the American Civil War. David Strouse, Samuel M. Brown, Richard O'Brian and David H. Bates, all from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, were sent to Washington, D.C. to serve in the newly created office.
In October of that year, Anson Stager was appointed department head. During the war, they were charged with maintaining communications between the Federal government in Washington and the commanding officers of the far-flung units of the Union Army. President Abraham Lincoln relied heavily upon the use of the Telegraph system for up to date reports from the Battlefield and to relay his commands immediately to his frontline generals.