Battery No. 1, Near Yorktown, Virginia 1862

This photograph of Battery No. 1 near Yorktown, Virginia, was made by Wood and Gibson using the wet collodion process. The image is a direct result of this technique, where glass plates are coated with chemicals, exposed in a camera, and developed immediately. The resulting print on paper renders the scene in great detail. The material qualities of earth, sandbags, and heavy artillery become palpable through the sharp focus. You can almost feel the weight and density of these objects. The image also carries social significance. It documents a military installation from the American Civil War, reminding us of the brutal labor involved in constructing such fortifications. This wasn't just about strategy; it was about countless hours of physical work, digging trenches and filling bags with earth. By understanding the materials and making of this photograph, we recognize how it connects to broader issues of conflict, labor, and the human cost of war. It blurs the line between documentary and artifact.