Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg) Facts - civil war photos

Well - Here we go guys - I'm trying to find out why the government is holding onto these pictures taken back during the civil war (or does the government really have them?). Here's what he know so far...in 1862, Southern photographer, Stanley Wilson, developed a camera in which it's shutter speed was three to four times faster than the average camera that existed during the Civil War era. Wilson traveled with Lee's army to take pictures...not just of the soldiers standing still, but the soldiers in action.

We've been led to believe that back in the 19th century, in order to get quality pictures, people had to stand very still since the shutter speed was slow. Actually, that is correct, but Wilson took photographs of people that were in motion. Therefore, he was able to take photographs of troops in battle.

We were also led to believe that there were no pictures taken during any civil war battle. However, Wilson's photographs proves this wrong. From what a few historians who have seen this - these pictures were taken during the Battle of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and a few at Gettysburg (just day one though).

When the North won the war, Wilson handed over his pictures to Washington officials. We are not sure what happened after this - though, when Grant became President years later, he made moves to seal these from the public for good with the help of his Secretary of War, William W. Belknap, who was later impeached on the "Indian Ring" scandal. They were lost until Wilson's book surfaced.

The book claims that the reason why he turned everything over was he was in debt and the government paid him an unknown sum of money. We are not sure that Wilson really wrote this book named, "Photos of the War of Northern Aggression". We would discount this book except that we know that in southern soldiers' diaries, a few high ranking generals of the Confederacy talked about seeing the pictures and how well they looked. They wanted these pictures published in Southern papers, but Lee and Jefferson were totally against it.

There were two diaries of two confederate privates that told about them knowing Wilson personally and seeing these pictures. So, this brings us to the question, if these photos are real - then what did the pictures show?

Through what we found (and a big thank you to Jeff Regan for helping us out on this), were pictures of the Battle of Antietam. The pictures are said to show confederate soldiers entrenched in the "Bloody Lane". In the distance, you see Federal soldiers advancing on the Southern troops. The viewer is seeing the backs of the confederates, pouring lead into the enemy.

There are three known pictures during the Battle of Fredericksburg - showing Federal troops advancing on positions of Confederate soldiers that are aiming down at the enemy. There is smoke in the air and some Union troops laying on the ground - assuming they are either dead or injured. One section of one photograph looks like a shell exploding - but people who have seen this say the picture is partly distorted.

The Gettysburg pictures show confederate troops firing on Reynolds troops (first day of the battle). There are confederate and union soldiers laying on the ground - again, assuming to be dead. Horses are shown in the background (Buford troops' horses?).

So, does the government have or know where Wilson's photos of actual battles being fought? From what we have been told by various groups investigating - surprising, the government no longer has it. Apparently, after Grant left office, Washington gave it back to Wilson's family. Unfortunately, Wilson died in 1871, so the family received the photos.

Alrighty, so the government doesn't have the pictures and someone that is a descendent of Stanley Wilson probably has the pictures. I just hope that this someone knows what they have. This pictures could be worth thousands - maybe millions??? Hopefully, they weren't sold in a garage sale or something like that. Now the search is on concerning who the descendents are of Mr. Wilson.

I did talk to Jeff Regan and he is starting an investigation of who could have these photos - so he's studying Stanley's "downline". Let's hope we find these pictures. So far, the history community has no actual "action" pictures of soldiers in battle - but let's hope this will change.