AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE LINCOLN CONSPIRATORS EXECUTION PHOTOS: A STUDY IN DETAIL.
June 1, 2009
I wanted to let everyone who has been following my blog for the past year know that it has been a very successful venture. One of the most successful postings I produced was the 15-chapter series called The Lincoln Conspirators Execution Photos: A Study in Detail.
I have been working on formatting this study into a book version for several months and am glad to report that I have reached the point where I must regrettably remove the content from this blog and begin finalizing the document for print. The final version of this will grow from 15 chapters to about 20-25 chapters as I have lots of other tidbits that I want to add.
But to not cut people off entirely from the study, you still have access to Chapters 1 to 5 on line here so you can get a feel for how the overall project was produced. I’m sorry if it is like reading a story and then having to stop right when it’s getting good but regrettably, it is a necessary step I’ve had to take.
When appropriate I will report on how you can obtain a copy of this book if you wish. If you want to write to me and get on my mailing list, I’ll be happy to give you updates as I have them available. outreach@awesometalks.com
Best Barry
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
An excellent example of early photojournalism can be found in a series of ten photographs taken on Friday, July 7, 1865 by photographer Alexander Gardner and his assistant Timothy O’Sullivan. The subject of this series was the executions by hanging of the four condemned Lincoln assassination conspirators. These pictures systematically recorded the events that occurred between 1 to 2 pm that day. Starting with a view of the empty scaffold and ending with a distant image of the Old Arsenal Penitentiary grounds taken from a nearby rooftop, Gardner told the story in graphic detail.
Most people are familiar with one or two of these images as they have been published repeatedly over the years. However, few have seen the series in its entirety. It is my intention to present these to you in a number of articles (Chapters) that will not only show each photograph in its original format, but will include close up details as well. By zooming in on these details, a more personal side of the story unfolds.
When I first took on this project and looked closely at the photographs, I realized that there was a good deal of information that I had not seen before. For example, I never looked closely at the faces of the execution party and the soldiers who participated in carrying out the sentences. I never paid particular attention to the people who attended the execution; the guests, the media and the soldiers. And I had never seen the look on Mary Surratt’s face as she sat on the scaffold awaiting her fate. The ability to see these details allowed me to understand much more of the event than I had previously been privy to. I will share some of the details from this photographic story to help you better understand it as well.
My approach to this project started with an almost forensic attitude, methodically dissecting the images and not paying particular attention to the ’subject matter’. I had viewed these pictures hundreds of times and never let the subject matter get to me. However, I will admit that when I first looked at some of these images in detail, and in particular, Mary Surratt’s distraught face, the emotional side really hit home. I felt like I was enjoying “too intimate a view” of Mrs. Surratt in her darkest hour. She was just minutes away from being forced to die and seeing the distress in her face was sobering. So although I know that part of this study will satisfy some form of curiosity (whether scientific or morbid), be aware that there is an emotional side too.
Although these images are over 144 years old, they are clear and capture the moments with clarity and emotion. One cannot look deeply into them without experiencing the emotion of the event. It isn’t hard to find yourself empathizing with the conspirators and putting yourself in their place and feeling their sense of desperation.
Gardner’s images are powerful, thought provoking and to some, disturbing. Whatever you get from this study, I hope you see the talent of the photographer and his ability to tell this story as it occurred on that hot summer day in July of 1865.
THE IMAGES
Most people are familiar with one or two of the images mentioned above. Fewer have seen the entire series of ten. And almost no one has viewed any of these images in fine detail.
In the next few chapters I will present these for you. Here is a breakdown of the chapters to come.
NOTE: Chapters 6 to 15 are now password protected.
- Chapter 2 – The Photographer, Alexander Gardner
- Chapter 3 – The Conspirators
- Chapter 4 – The Executioners
- Chapter 5 – The Execution Images 1: The Empty Scaffold
- Chapter 6 – The Execution Images 2: Arrival at the Scaffold (1)
- Chapter 7 – The Execution Images 3: Reading the Death Warrant
- Chapter 8 – The Execution Images 4: The Ministers Pray
- Chapter 9 – The Execution Images 5: Adjusting the Ropes
- Chapter 10 – The Execution Images 6: The Drop
- Chapter 11 – The Execution Images 7: All is Done (1)
- Chapter 12 – The Execution Images 8: All is Done (2)
- Chapter 13 – The Execution Images 9: The Pine Boxes
- Chapter 14 – The Execution Images 10: Rooftop View
- Chapter 15 – Other Details and Conclusions
End of Chapter 1.
Next Installment: Chapter 2 – The Photographer, Alexander Gardner
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If you are interested in reading the comments of some Lincoln experts, here are some interviews I did with several of them recently.
“An Awesometalk With” DR. THOMAS SCHWARTZ, Illinois State Historian (posted on December 08, 2008)
“An Awesometalk With” HAROLD HOLZER, Lincoln Scholar (posted on November 10, 2008)
Best
Barry
I was looking at the photo of the soldiers lined up on the wall at the top of this article. I was just wondering the 6th man from right to left of the photo bares a uncanny resemblance to Boston Corbet (The man who shot John Wilkes booth) is their any way to confirm that this may be him?
Hi Phillip: Thank you for your comment. I very much appreciate it.
I asked Steven G. Miller, the man who Lincoln researchers point to as the best expert on Boston Corbett stated the following.
“Was Corbett there?! No evidence that he was, and I suspect he was back in the hospital at the time. Wouldn’t that be something”?
So although Corbett’s regiment was certainly present at the executions there is no firm evidence that he was, or wasn’t. So you never know.
So to echo what Steven Miller said……Wouldn’t that be something!
Best
Barry
hi ben from the uk here i have been trying to read your excelant site but cant see how to attain a password to be able to read the rest of the site many thanks Ben
Hi Ben: Thanks for you comment. Unfortunately, I have restricted access to the remainder of the chapters because I am in the process of creating a book with the content right now. Therefore I do not have a password to share at this time.
However, I am collecting names of those who want to be kept in the loop on my progress and when the book is published, will give those on the list the first opportunity to get an advanced copy. Currently my plans are to be ready to go by September of this year.
Again, my apologies for leaving you hanging in the middle of my study, but I needed to do this for security and copyright considerations.
Thanks for understanding.
Best
Barry
I am interested in seeing the photos but I do not have a password. Is it possible to secure one?
I’ve just returned from the Garrett Farm site. Does anyone have any info on when the farm was destroyed?
Hi Altermo: Thanks for you comment on my site. Unfortunately, I have restricted access to the remainder of the chapters because I am in the process of creating a book with the content right now. Therefore I do not have a password to share at this time.
However, I am collecting names of those who want to be kept in the loop on my progress and when the book is published, will give those on the list the first opportunity to get an advanced copy. Currently my plans are to be ready to go by sometime this fall.
If you would like to be added to my mailing list please write me at outreach@awesometalks.com along with your name and email address and I’ll be happy to accommodate.
Again, my apologies for leaving you hanging in the middle of my study, but I needed to do this for security and copyright considerations.
Thanks for understanding.
With regards to your question about the Garrett farm, I will make an inquiry for you and let you know the answer shortly.
Best
Barry
Hi Altermo: I spoke with Steve Miller who is regarded as an expert on the chase for John Wilkes Booth. He commented on your question about the Garrett Farm.
“The Garrett’s abandoned the farm sometime in the 1920’s. The house finally fell down sometime in the 1930’s”. No additional info is available as far as he knows.
I hope this helps.
Thanks
Barry
Thanks, Barry.
Please put me on your mailing list.
I am curious how the farm met its end and how it ended up in the middle of a highway median. Of course, all the visible remnants are gone so I am interested in what happened to them. I will keep on searching.
Good luck w/ the book.
Michael
Hi Michael: Thanks for the good luck about on the book. I’ll definitely add you to the list.
Have a great day.
Best
Barry
the soldiers uniforms intrested me, cant make out if there long sack coats of the frock coat
I am going with frock coats based what appesrs to be more buttons on them. Great website!
your right frock coats it is, reenacters eat your hearts out
sent a chill up me back
Congratulations on your research, Barry.
This is one of the most highly witnessed-yet hotly debated-events of its day and the debate still resonates. Would you please add me to your mailing list, so I can obtain a copy of your book?
This sounds like precisely the sort of use of primary source analysis that I encourage in my own students.
Best to you,
Rick
i just want to know why only five chapter i would like to see all the rest of the chapter thank you
Hi Jermaine: As I indicated at the beginning of the articles, I am currently in the midst of publishing a book on the subject so I needed to remove access to the latter half of the chapters. If you are interested in signing up for updates on the book please email me at outreach@awesometalks.com and I’ll gladly send you updates as soon as they become available.
Thank you very much.
Barry
Hello,
I just found your website – is there a status update on your book?
Also, do you know the exact location of the gallows? I believe it was in what is now Ft. McNair in SW DC, but don’t know for sure.
Thank you.
Hi George: Thank you for writing. Our book is coming along nicely and a documentary proposal is also in the works.
You are correct that the gallows was located on the military base currently known as Fort Lesley McNair in Washington DC. You can view the location on Google Earth if you’d like to see what it looks like today. The position of the gallows is where the present-day tennis courts are located directly south of Building 20 (known as Grant Hall). Building 20 is the last standing structure from the Old Arsenal Penitentiary where the hangings took place. The trial was actually held on the 3rd floor of Building 20 in a makeshift courtroom. Presently Building 20 is undergoing a restoration to bring the 3rd floor courtroom back to its original condition. In recent years it has been used as officer’s quarters and offices.
If you’d like to learn more about our project, go to FACEBOOK and search INSIDE THE WALLS and you will be on our page. Become a fan and we will keep you up to date on what is happening with our book (and potential documentary).
Thanks for writing George.
Best
Barry
Thanks very much for the detailed reply. I think I’ve actually driven by there…. I’ll look for you on f/b.
Thanks again.