Column of Confederate infantrymen on a street in Frederick, Maryland.
Heritage Frederick (formerly the Frederick Historical Society)
One of the most interesting and compelling photographs of the Civil War is this candid image of a column of Confederate infantrymen pausing on a street in Frederick, Maryland, while on the march. But who took the image and precisely when and where it was taken have long been matters of speculation. Until now.
Exhaustive research by Center for Civil War Photography members Paul Bolcik, Erik Davis, and Craig Heberton has revealed that the photo was taken from the third-floor window of longtime Frederick photographer Jacob Byerly’s studio on the west side of North Market Street between Church and Patrick streets, with the solders facing south. It is unlikely the photo was taken during Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North in September 1862, as previously speculated. Among other reasons, there is no evidence Confederate troops marched past this spot during the Maryland Campaign. It is far more likely the photo was taken on July 9, 1864, during Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s incursion into Maryland to threaten the nation’s capital. On that very day, the Battle of Monocacy, during which Union forces successfully delayed Early’s advance toward Washington, was fought just south of town.
Bob Zeller is president of the nonprofit Center for Civil War Photography, which is devoted to collecting, preserving, and digitizing Civil War images.
