Rose Woods Then and Now

Rose Pasture Seasonal Closure from April 1 to October 31

Please note that the Rose pasture, the location for the following photo comparisons, is closed to all visitation from April 1 to October 31 as this area is an active horse pasture (via a Special Use Permit) during this time. Horse grazing helps maintain the historic nature of this clearing.

 

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1. Confederate Dead near the Edge of the Rose Woods, Gardner Stereo #257 Then & Now

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

Right image
The distinguishing marks on the large rock are still visible today.
Credit: 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.

 

2. Confederate Dead near the Edge of the Rose Woods, Gardner Stereo #235 Then & Now

Left image
A group of Confederate dead lie near the edge of the Rose Woods.
Credit: Library of Congress.

Right image
A large split rock provides a reference point for the location of the original photograph.
Credit: 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.

William A. Frassanito, Early Photography at Gettysburg (Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 1995), 319-325.

 

3. Confederate dead near the edge of the Rose Woods, Gardner Stereo #256 Then & Now

Left image
A group of dead Confederate soldiers lay in a field near the Rose Woods. This view faces north.
Credit: Library of Congress.

Right image
The boulder in the foreground and dome shaped boulder in the background provide a reference point for where the camera tripod stood in 1863.
Credit: 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.