Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War, a milestone commemorated by The Atlantic in a special issue (now available online). Although photography was still in its infancy, war correspondents produced thousands of images, bringing the harsh realities of the frontlines to those on the home front in a new and visceral way. Photographers also made extensive use of stereo photography, bringing images to the public in three dimensions, for those with access to a stereoscopic viewer. The images collected here are stereo pairs, which will animate when clicked (starting with photo #2), adding a new dimension, and further bringing home the reality of the moment. (Be sure to see part 1 and part 2 as well.) Keep in mind, as you view these photographs, that they were taken 150 years ago -- providing a glimpse of a United States that was only 85 years old at the time. [20 stereo pairs ]

2

Photographer Timothy H. O'Sullivan took this photo, one half of a stereo view of Alfred R. Waud, artist of Harper's Weekly, while he sketched on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in July of 1863. To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Timothy H. O'Sullivan/LOC)

3

13-inch seacoast mortars of Federal Battery No. 4 with officers of 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, near Yorktown, Virginia in May of 1862. To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (James F. Gibson/LOC)

4

"A muss at headquarters," Army of the Potomac, near Falmouth, Virginia in April of 1863.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (James F. Gibson/LOC)

5

Mail wagon for headquarters, Army of the Potomac, at Falmouth, Virginia, March 1863.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (LOC)

6

Fugitive African Americans fording the Rappahannock River, Virginia during Pope's retreat in August of 1862. To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Timothy H. O'Sullivan/LOC)

7

Three "Johnnie Reb" Prisoners, captured at Gettysburg, in 1863.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Mathew Brady/LOC)

8

"Council of War". General Ulysses S. Grant (2nd from left on bench at center left), Gen. George G. Meade, Assistant Secretary of War Charles A. Dana, and numerous staff officers meet at Massaponax Church, in Virginia on May 21, 1864.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Timothy H. O'Sullivan/LOC)

9

A Confederate Mill in Petersburg, Virginia in May of 1865.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Timothy H. O'Sullivan/LOC)

10

General Sherman's men destroying the railroad before the evacuation of Atlanta, Georgia in 1864.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (George N. Barnard/LOC)

11

Soldiers boxing in a Union camp in Petersburg, Virginia, in April of 1865.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (LOC)

12

The "Slaughter pen" at foot of Round Top, after the Battle of Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania in July of 1863.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Alexander Gardner/LOC)

13

A damaged locomotive among the ruins of the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad depot, in Richmond, Virginia, in April of 1865. To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (LOC)

14

A group of contrabands (former slaves) at Haxall's Mill, Richmond, Virginia, on June 9, 1865.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Alexander Gardner/LOC)

15

A mortar mounted on a railrioad car, near Petersburg, Virginia.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Mathew Brady/LOC)

16

Fugitive African Americans are fording the Rappahannock River in Virginia, August 1862, during the Second Battle of Bull Run. To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Timothy H. O'Sullivan/LOC)

17

A street view of St. Augustine, Florida.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Samuel A. Cooley/LOC)

18

Soldiers bathing in the North Anna River, Virginia, in May of 1864. The ruins of Richmond & Fredericksburg railroad bridge are visible in the distance.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Timothy H. O'Sullivan/LOC)

19

Outside view of Fort Sumter, in March, 1865. Foot of slope on southwestern front, looking southeast.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (George N. Barnard/LOC)

20

Lord [William] Abinger and a group of officers at headquarters, Army of the Potomac, near Falmouth, Virginia, in April of 1863.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here (James F. Gibson/LOC)

21

Details from the "Burnt district" of Richmond, Virginia, photographed in April of 1865.  To view a red/blue anaglyph version of this photo, click here. (Alexander, Gardner/LOC)

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Related links and information

The Civil War - The Atlantic, 150th Anniversary Commemorative Issue

Civil War Photographs - Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division

American Civil War - Wikipedia entry

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