Hello,

I am wondering if anyone knows of any images online that shows Civil War soldiers with baseball equipment, playing baseball,etc. I'm doing a little report on the Civil War and baseball. Also, I've already seen the famous drawing of Civil War soldiers playing ball. I need a real photo. I have found this image..... but don't know the regiment state and number so if anyone knows that would be very appreciated as well. Thanks!

I believe there is at least one pertinent image to be found in the companion volume to Ken Burns' Baseball documentary.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/153652/message/1153974000/Early+Baseball+Stereoview

This was a Stereoview in the collection of Rob Morgan which I think shows some soldiers playing ball.

I think there's a c.1862-63 photograph of soldiers or prisoners playing a ball match at Fort Pulaski, Georgia.

Cool, thanks for the info! BTW the photo I included are of Union soldiers, correct? I'm pretty sure, but not completely. Also, is that prisoners pic you mentioned available online? Thanks.

--Chris

Have you tried the HOF library?

Fascinating photo! No, I have not tried the HOF library.

The best image that I have seen was a large albumen image from some "hundred days" soldiers from Ohio actually playing a game. I tried hard to get that one some years ago but with no luck.

I'd have to get a closer look at the first photo shown in this thread, but I believe those are post-war soldiers.

Rob M.


From a stereoview that I have:

From an albumen that I no longer have:

Rob,

I do not think the second photo on your post is a game of baseball. I think there is a ball on the ground in this photo (like kick-ball).

Shawn - You're entirely right. It's been some time since I had that image and pulled it up from my old files thinking it was base ball (since it was mostly referred to as just "ball" during that period). This is actually just a generic game of some form of kick "ball" or possibly affiliated with foot "ball" (a rough form of foot ball was being played during the Civil War as well).

Rob M.

Sorry Rob, your stereoview looks nicer in 3-D

That is some classic work you and your mates did Jimmy!!!

Rob M.