Civil War News

Fort McHenry is probably the best place to see the Rodman system of the US Army. While almost every fort had almost all of their Rodmans taken away for scrap (or donated as memorials), the fort whose heroic defense had been the inspiration for the "Star Spangled Banner" kept its battery of Civil War era Rodmans. They fired salutes on the 4th of July for years. As a result, visitors today find five of the giant 15-Inch Rodmans along with alongside 8-Inch Rodmans and the 8-Inch Rifles (which were conversions of 10-Inch Rodmans).

Photo: 15-Inch Rodman (Fort Pitt Number 40) with an 8-Inch Rodman and other Rodmans in the background in the water battery at Fort McHenry. I visited the fort during the aftermath of a tropical storm in 2024. The whipping wind and the waves crashing against the seawall just a few feet away added to the "drama". I need to go back on a sunny day!

Test shot, one shot, two shot. Manassas, Virginia.

Photographers used this approach more than most people know, aiming to test the chemistry and best compose the photo before settling on a final shot or three. In this case, the middle view is the one you see the most in books. Can you pick out any of the same people in the two lower views? How many? Links to full plates in the comments

Atlanta Round Table Past President Terry Kingery, left, and current Board Member Bill Marks pose in the foyer of the Huff house.