A Burial Party, Cold Harbor, Virginia
Creator: John Reekie (Civil War Photographer). Hired to produce visual documentation of the war.
Origin: 1865.
Description: Death pervaded every aspect of life during the years of the Civil War. This gruesome photograph, taken after the battle of Cold Harbor, shows the hasty burial procedures used to reckon with unprecedented death. Dirty jobs like this were often left to Black soldiers or freedpeople in Contraband Camps.

Questions:
1. The person who took this photograph (John Reekie) was a Civil War photographer. Why do you believe is it important to know this? Hint: consider photography as a profession and how few photographers existed during that time, especially in comparison to today’s photo-abundant society.

2. When was this photograph taken? Why is it important to know the date?

3. Who do you believe was the intended audience for this photograph? Who do you believe might have been an unintended audience? Hint: consider both white and African American audiences.

4. What do you believe was the photographer’s purpose in shooting this particular photo? Consider everything that is captured in the photo. Also, consider the period it was taken (Civil War) and the social and political issues that were present.

5. What do you believe might have been some reactions to seeing this photograph during that period? (hint: consider the issue of race, and also consider the mental and emotional impact of the Civil War).

6. As a historian or someone who wishes to understand the past, what research questions does this photograph raise? In other words, after you have examined the photograph thoroughly, what additional information about the topic and period do you want to know?