[Carte de visite portrait of John L. Burns affixed to bayonet in still life with cane, cap, drum, cartridge box, and rifle]

Archive record

1 photograph : albumen print on card mount ; mount 10 x 7 cm (carte de visite format) | Photograph memorializing the death of John L. Burns, civilian who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg with Union troops.

About this photograph

The record describes a memorial arrangement created in 1872 by Mumper & Co, commemorating John L. Burns, a civilian who joined Union forces during the Battle of Gettysburg. A carte de visite portrait of Burns was mounted on a bayonet and photographed alongside military objects including his cane, cap, a drum, cartridge box, and rifle.

Cartes de visite were small portrait photographs mounted on card, widely popular during the Civil War era. Soldiers commonly sat for them before leaving home, giving families an image to keep. The albumen print process used here was standard for such photographs.

The composition stages relics of Burns's participation in the battle as a shrine-like still life. Creating this memorial photograph nine years after Gettysburg suggests Burns had died by 1872, though the record does not state this directly. The arrangement transforms everyday military equipment into emblems of his civilian service.

Compiled from the catalogue record and reference notes on the formats and events involved. The archive record above is the primary source.

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