About the Civil War Photographs

The online Civil War Photographs provides access to about 7,000 different images made during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and in its immediate aftermath. The images were scanned from the Prints and Photographs Division's collection of original glass plate negatives. In addition, this online offering includes copy negatives made from many of the photographic prints the Division holds. The images were acquired from various sources.

In cataloging the photographs, Prints and Photographs Division staff generally work from the original caption material that was received with the Civil War photograph or negative. Sometimes this information is incorrect or outdated. An online form is available on the Prints and Photographs Reading Room Web site. You can use it to suggest corrections to the catalog records.

Information about obtaining copies is available through the "How to Order" link near the top of each catalog record.

Photos displayed at the top: 1) Petersburg, Va. Group of Company B, U.S. Engineer Battalion; wagons in background, LC-DIG-cwpb-04104. 2) Richmond, Virginia. Ruins of Richmond & Petersburg Railroad depot. (Destroyed locomotive shown), LC-DIG-cwpb-02709