The civil war was a tremendous tragedy, but it arguably hit the south harder than the north. The south lost 30% of it's population of white males 18-40. These photos also show what the south fought for what they believed was their right to own slaves. Prison camps were very in common in America during this war, and some of the most brutal ones were found in the south. Thousands of Northerners lost their lives in these hellish camps, and the photos documenting the atrocities committed are chilling. A common trend in these photos is the destroyed Southern landscape due to the fact the south never pushed farther north than Gettysburg. The defeat in the Civil War would be felt throughout the south for years to come.
Fort Sumter, South Carolina, April, 1861
The first shots of the war were fired here, and ended in a southern victory as they took over the fort.
The first shots of the war were fired here, and ended in a southern victory as they took over the fort.
Bell & Bro, 1864
This ship was called the CSS Stonewall, and was built for the Confederate Navy in France. Unfortunately the war had ended before it reached America meaning it was never used in battle.
This ship was called the CSS Stonewall, and was built for the Confederate Navy in France. Unfortunately the war had ended before it reached America meaning it was never used in battle.
Andersonville Prison, Georgia, August 17, 1864
One of the war's most infamous prison camps, Andersonville Prison held nearly 45,000 Union soldiers prisoners and saw about 13,000 of them die.
One of the war's most infamous prison camps, Andersonville Prison held nearly 45,000 Union soldiers prisoners and saw about 13,000 of them die.
Matthew Brady, Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 3, 1863
Dead Confederate soldiers line their bunkers after a Union victory in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.
Dead Confederate soldiers line their bunkers after a Union victory in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.
Alexander Gardner, Maryland, September of 1862
This photo taken shortly after the Battle of Antietam shows the carnage of these battles as the ground is strewn with Southern bodies.
This photo taken shortly after the Battle of Antietam shows the carnage of these battles as the ground is strewn with Southern bodies.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1863
Photos of a slave who was subjected to a beating most days by a violent overseer. Photos like these were a big part of the slave culture.
Photos of a slave who was subjected to a beating most days by a violent overseer. Photos like these were a big part of the slave culture.
Rose O'Neal Greenhow, 1861
A confederate spy who would feed information to other members of the South, and was eventually captured by Pinkerton when the truth was revealed.
A confederate spy who would feed information to other members of the South, and was eventually captured by Pinkerton when the truth was revealed.
April of 1865, Richmond,Virginia
Richmond represented the Capital for most of the Civil War until the US took it back. Shortly after, a fire started and spread through most Richmond living charred remains of the capital. .
Richmond represented the Capital for most of the Civil War until the US took it back. Shortly after, a fire started and spread through most Richmond living charred remains of the capital. .
Andersonville, Georgia
The picture shows a very emaciated Union soldier close to death. Imprisoned in a Confederate prisoners camp he was hardly fed. This was an all too common site for men in the war.
The picture shows a very emaciated Union soldier close to death. Imprisoned in a Confederate prisoners camp he was hardly fed. This was an all too common site for men in the war.
Richmond, Virginia, 1865
Showing the aftermath of a Southern battle, the surrounding area is destroyed and littered with weapons.
Showing the aftermath of a Southern battle, the surrounding area is destroyed and littered with weapons.