Gettysburg Daily

Harvest of Death Part 1: Licensed Battlefield Guides Garry Adelman and Tim Smith

Tim and Gary showing Harvest of Death scenes

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides Tim Smith (displaying the two key Harvest of Death scenes) and Garry Adelman are the hosts for the Harvest of Death series. They are standing on the south end of the Gettysburg Battlefield. The Rose Farm is in the left background near the white fence. Cemetery Hill is in the left background topped with trees. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 5, 2012.

Director of History and Education for the Civil War Trust, Garry Adelman earned his B.A. in business from Michigan State University and his M.A. in history at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He is the author, co-author or editor of The Civil War 150 (2011), Antietam Then and Now (2005), The Myth of Little Round Top (2003), The Early Gettysburg Battlefield (2001), Little Round Top: A Detailed Tour Guide (2000), and Devil’s Den: A History and Guide (1997) as well as eight Civil War image booklets. He has published articles in The Gettysburg Magazine and Hallowed Ground and conceived and drafted the text for wayside exhibits at the Third Winchester, First Day at Chancellorsville, Mine Run and Slaughter Pen Farm battlefields. A frequent lecturer at Civil War Round Tables, he has also appeared as a speaker on HISTORY, C-Span, and Pennsylvania Cable Network. He is the vice president of the Center for Civil War Photography and is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg.

Timothy H. Smith is a native of Baltimore and a life long student of the American Civil War. He is employed as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park and as a research historian at the Adams County Historical Society. He is an instructor for the Gettysburg Elderhostel and teaches classes on the battle and local history at the Gettysburg Campus of the Harrisburg Area Community College. Tim has written numerous articles and authored or co-authored ten books on Gettysburg related topics, including John Burns: The Hero of Gettysburg (2000). He has lectured extensively at Civil War Round Tables and Seminars and has appeared on several television documentaries, including the Unknown Civil War and the popular PCN Gettysburg Battle Walk series.

William A. Frassanito’s Facebook fan page

Timothy H. Smith’s Facebook fan page

Garry Adelman’s Facebook author page

In today’s Harvest of Death post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides Garry Adelman and Tim Smith introduce us to the Harvest of Death series and show the photographs documenting the Harvest of Death scene.

Harvest of Death map

This map shows the location of the Harvest of Death videos. Videos #1-#3 were taken on the south end of the battlefield, near the Emmitsburg Road. This map was created facing north at approximately 5:00 AM on Saturday March 3, 2012.

Gary holding Alexander Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the Civil War

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman is holding his well-worn copy of Alexander Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the Civil War. The Rose Farmhouse is in the background between Garry and Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith. The Sherfy Peach Orchard (THE Peach Orchard) is in the left background. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 5, 2012.

In Video #1 Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides Garry Adelman and Tim Smith introduce us to the Harvest of Death series. This view was taken facing east at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 5, 2012.

Stereoview titled 'Federal Soldiers As They Fell, At Battle of Gettysburg'

A stereoview titled “Federal Soldiers As They Fell, At Battle of Gettysburg.” This is number #234. This image was taken by James F. Gibson for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863, and is courtesy of Garry Adelman.

In Video #2 Licensed Battlefield Guides Garry Adelman and Tim Smith show what are usually considered to be the basic photographs of the Harvest of Death series. This view was taken facing east to northeast at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 5, 2012.

Back of 'Federal Soldiers As They Fell, At Battle of Gettysburg' stereo card

The back of the stereo card titled “Federal Soldiers As They Fell, At Battle of Gettysburg.” This image is courtesy of Garry Adelman.

Stereoview titled 'On the Battlefield at Gettysburg'

A stereoview titled “On the Battlefield at Gettysburg.” This is number #243. In the video, Garry showed an earlier version of #243 titled “View In Field on Right Wing.” This image was taken by James F. Gibson for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Back of 'On the Battlefield at Gettysburg' stereo card
The back of the stereo card for image #243 titled “On the Battlefield at Gettysburg,” and which was earlier titled “View In Field on Right Wing.” This image is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Glass plate titled 'View in Field on Right Wing Where General Reynolds Fell At The Battle of Gettysburg'

A glass plate titled “View in Field on Right Wing Where General Reynolds Fell At The Battle of Gettysburg.” This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Part of the steroview titled 'Evidence of How Severe The Contest Had Been On The Right at The Battle of Gettysburg'

A part of the stereoview titled “Evidence of How Severe The Contest Had Been On The Right at The Battle of Gettysburg.” This is number #242. Only a part of the stereoview is shown because the image is in a private collection.This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of Garry Adelman.

Back of 'Evidence of How Severe The Contest Had Been On The Right at The Battle of Gettysburg' stereo card

The back of the stereo card for image #242 titled “Evidence of How Severe The Contest Had Been On The Right at The Battle of Gettysburg.” Only a part of the back of stereoview is shown because the image is in a private collection.This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of Garry Adelman.

Glass plate titled 'A Harvest of Death'

A glass plate titled “A Harvest of Death.” This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Garry Adelman holding colorized versions of the Harvest of Death plates

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman is holding colorized versions of two of the Harvest of Death plates. Tim Smith is holding the microphone for Garry who is not speaking.This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 5, 2012.

In Video #3 Garry Adelman and Tim Smith show other Library of Congress views of the Harvest of Death photographs, and some colorized views of the Harvest of Death. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 5, 2012.

3D version of 'View in Field on Right Wing Where General Reynolds Fell At The Battle of Gettysburg'

An anaglyph (3D) version of the glass plate titled “View in Field on Right Wing Where General Reynolds Fell At The Battle of Gettysburg.” To acquire a free pair of 3D glasses, click here. This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. The anaglyphs were assembled by John Richter, from negatives in the collection of the Library of Congress.
3D version of 'Federal Dead on the Field of Battle of First day, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania'
An anaglyph (3D) version of the glass plate titled “Federal Dead on the Field of Battle of First day, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.” To acquire a free pair of 3D glasses, click here. This image was taken by James Gibson for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. The anaglyphs were assembled by John Richter, from negatives in the collection of the Library of Congress.

3D version of 'A Harvest of Death'

An anaglyph (3D) version of the glass plate titled “A Harvest of Death.” To acquire a free pair of 3D glasses, click here. This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. The anaglyphs were assembled by John Richter, from negatives in the collection of the Library of Congress.

Glass plate of 'Federal Dead on the Field of Battle of First day, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.'

The glass plate titled “Federal Dead on the Field of Battle of First day, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.” This image shows the burial party in the background. This image was taken by James Gibson for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. This image is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Steroview 'Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Evidence of How Severe the Contest Had Been on the Right'

A deteriorated stereoview #242 titled “Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Evidence of How Severe the Contest Had Been on the Right.” This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Glass plate 'Gettysburg, Pa. Bodies of Federal Soldiers, Killed on July 1, Near the McPherson Woods'

A glass plate titled “Gettysburg, Pa. Bodies of Federal Soldiers, Killed on July 1, Near the McPherson Woods.” This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Colorized 'Gettysburg, Pa. Bodies of Federal Soldiers, Killed on July 1, Near the McPherson Woods'

A colorized version of the glass plate titled “Gettysburg, Pa. Bodies of Federal Soldiers, Killed on July 1, Near the McPherson Woods.” This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress. It was colorized by Mark Maritato.

Colorized version 'A Harvest of Death'

A colorized version of the glass plate titled “A Harvest of Death.” This image was taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan for Alexander Gardner circa July 5-6, 1863. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress. It was colorized by Mark Maritato.

Alexander Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the Civil War

Alexander Gardner’s Photographic Sketchbook of the Civil War. For ordering information, click here.
Devil's Den: A History and Guide
Tim Smith and Garry Adelman are the co-authors of Devil’s Den: A History and Guide. It was first published by Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1997. This cover was scanned facing south at approximately 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
John Burns: The Hero of Gettysburg
Tim Smith’s John Burns: The Hero of Gettysburg. For ordering information, click here.
The Myth of Little Round Top
Garry Adelman’s The Myth of Little Round Top. For ordering information, click here.
99 Historic Images of Gettysburg
Garry Adelman’s and John J. Richter’s 99 Historic Images of Gettysburg. For ordering information, click hereLittle Round Top: A Detailed Tour Guide.
Garry Adelman’s Little Round Top: A Detailed Tour Guide. For ordering information, click here.
The Early Gettysburg Battlefield: Selected Photographs From the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission Reports, 1895-1904
Garry Adelman’s The Early Gettysburg Battlefield: Selected Photographs From the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission Reports, 1895-1904. For ordering information, click here.
Civil War Trust: The Civil War 150, The Essential To-Do List of the 150th Anniversary
Garry Adelman’s publication for the Civil War Trust: The Civil War 150, The Essential To-Do List of the 150th Anniversary. For ordering information, click here.
Gettysburg: A Journey in Time
William Frassanito’s Gettysburg: A Journey in Time. For ordering information, click here.
Early Photography at Gettysburg
William Frassanito’s Early Photography at Gettysburg. For ordering information, click here.
Then and Now: Touring the Battlefield With Old Photos, 1863-1889
William Frassanito’s Gettysburg, Then and Now: Touring the Battlefield With Old Photos, 1863-1889. For ordering information, click here.
The Gettysburg Then and Now Companion
William Frassanito’s The Gettysburg Then and Now Companion. For ordering information, click here.

The Gettysburg Bicentennial Album

William Frassanito’s The Gettysburg Bicentennial Album. For ordering information, click here.

To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides, click here.