Richmond Civil War Photographs

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Richmond
Rare Books and Special Collections
Boatwright Library
University of Richmond
28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lynda Kachurek
Phone: (804) 289-8458
Fax: (804) 287-1840
Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

Box 1, [Folder Number], MS-22, Richmond Civil War Photographs Collection, Book Arts, Archives, & Rare Books, Boatwright Memorial Library, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.9 Linear Feet
Creator:
Brady, Mathew B., approximately 1823-1896, Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882, Handy, Levin C. (Levin Corbin), 1855-1932, Russell, Andrew J., and L.C. Handy Studios
Abstract:
This collection represents a series of photos of the Richmond area in April 1865 just days after the retreat of Gen. Robert E. Lee and his troops.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Box 1, [Folder Number], MS-22, Richmond Civil War Photographs Collection, Book Arts, Archives, & Rare Books, Boatwright Memorial Library, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection represents a series of photos of the Richmond area in April 1865 just days after the retreat of Gen. Robert E. Lee and his troops. These photos showcase the aftermath of the burning and looting of the city. The collection contains photographs taken by Andrew Russell and are from a series housed at L.C. Handy Studios. Handy was the nephew of Civil War photographer Matthew Brady. Multiple areas are shown in the photographs including: the Capital, Customs House, Haxall Flour Mills, ruins of the arsenal, Gambles Hill, State Penitentiary, Kanawha Canal, and Cary (spelled Carey) Street.

Biographical / historical:

At the beginning of April 1865, General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate troops retreated from Richmond, leaving the city in flames. A large portion of the riverfront burned, leaving much of the Downtown area completely or nearly destroyed. Photographers arrived to the city just days after the retreat of General Lee and his troops. Alexander Gardner was one of the first photographers to arrive in Richmond. Shortly after, on April 12, Matthew Brady and his men arrived and began taking photographs as well. After Matthew Brady died in 1896, his nephew-in-law L.C. Handy inherited his studio and photographs. This collection represents nine photographs of the hundreds taken over the course of the days following Lee's retreat and the chaos that ensued.

Processing information:

The collection consists of eight files in a flat, metal edged box. Files 4 and 5 occur in succession as they are both images depicting the Haxall Flour Mills and surrounding area. File folders separate each individual picture with one oversized image located in the back of the box.

Processed by Keondra Bailey & Betty Dickie, Special Collections Cataloging & Preservation Associate.

Arrangement:

This collection contains one series.