George Barnard, Albumen Photogtraph, Battle Ground of Resacca, GA No.4

Description

George N. Barnard’s Battle Ground of Resacca, Ga. No. 4 is an original albumen photo taken to record scenes from the Atlanta Campaign.

Barnard, an Army photographer following Sherman’s forces in Georgia, made the view, along with several others, in November of 1864 to record the construction of defenses prior to Sherman’s departure for Savannah. The photos were made at the behest of Sherman’s chief engineer Orlando Poe and accompanied his reports.

Battle Ground of Resacca… portrays a portion of the field that was of particular importance to the outcome of the battle, as the scene of active fighting on May 14, 1864. Taken from high ground and tracing Confederate earthworks, the image faces south toward the village of Resaca and the railroad bridge over the Oostanaula River, which can be seen in the background. During the battle on the evening of May 14, Union troops took the hills seen in the right of the photo, giving their cannons a clear shot at the bridge. This threat to the Confederate supply line contributed greatly to General Joseph E. Johnston’s decision to withdraw from Resaca on the night of May 15-16, 1864.

The photo features deep tonality, with rich detail at the focal point in the foreground. A dramatic cloudscape (certainly drawn-in by the artist onto the original glass negative) appears at the top. 

Barnard, George N. Battle Ground of Resacca, Ga. No. 4. “Photo from nature By G. N. Barnard.” Albumen photo 14-1/4″ x 10″; mounted on its original board with printed title, 20″ x 15 1/2″.