Glimpsing Freedom

PORTRAITS

Photography and the Civil War crashed into one another, making it affordable for soldiers to have their picture taken before going off to war. What Black soldiers communicated in these images was a desire not just for freedom, but for citizenship. But they didn't always control how their photographs were used.

Drs. Deborah Willis and Rhea Combs talk with Kim about the photographs taken of - and for - Civil War Soldiers. Because it turns out there’s a big difference.

See the portraits we discuss:

Harper’s Weekly special edition

Gordon after his escape

Peter with scarred back

Tintype of soldier

Soldier with painted backdrop