[Gabions in Engineers' Camp, Front of Petersburg, Virginia] 1864

Timothy O'Sullivan's photograph, "[Gabions in Engineers' Camp, Front of Petersburg, Virginia]" (1864), captures a scene of the American Civil War. The image shows a line of gabions, cylindrical woven baskets filled with earth used for fortifications, in the foreground. A lone figure sits atop a pile of sandbags, surveying the scene. O'Sullivan, a renowned photographer of the Civil War, was known for his stark, realistic depictions of the conflict, and this photograph exemplifies his signature style. The image serves as a visual record of the war's impact on the landscape, and the meticulous detail highlights the engineering efforts employed in the construction of fortifications.