behind AotW

This is Sharpsburg veteran DeWitt Clinton Wellen, late of the 31st Virginia Infantry, seen here many years later. His photograph kindly shared to his Find-a-grave memorial by descendant Darrell Groves.

This fabulous photograph is from Jeff Radcliffe who took it about a week ago at Arlington National Cemetery. Pictured is the original 1864 grave marker for Antietam veteran Michael Byrns, a Private in Company A, 63rd New York Infantry. It’s slowly being swallowed by that massive tree.

Jeff tells me he made the photo with a Hasselblad SWC using Ilford HP5 black & white film, scanned at 1200 dpi. I’ve reduced it somewhat for the web. Touch the image to see it larger.

Elliott Jones was a Private in Company H, 31st Virginia Infantry when he was wounded, probably in action in the West Woods [map] near Sharpsburg, MD on 17 September 1862. His photograph (ambrotype?) was contributed to his Find-a-grave memorial by Jordan Carnes.