[Ditch and Chevaux-de-frise, Fort Sedgwick, in Front of Petersburg, Virginia] 1865

Timothy O'Sullivan's 1865 photograph, "[Ditch and Chevaux-de-frise, Fort Sedgwick, in Front of Petersburg, Virginia]," is a stark reminder of the brutal reality of the American Civil War. The image captures a fortified ditch, obstructed by a tangle of chevaux-de-frise, a type of defensive obstacle consisting of pointed stakes. O'Sullivan's focus on the physical details of the battlefield emphasizes the grim nature of war, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. This photograph, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a poignant documentation of the Civil War's impact on the American landscape.