The Case:
For the first time History Detectives teams up with Antiques Roadshow to trace the story behind two people in a fascinating photograph.
The photo shows two men, one black and the other white, both dressed in Confederate uniforms. History Detectives host Wes Cowan first encountered this Civil War tintype in his role as an Antiques Roadshow appraiser.
The Antiques Roadshow episode unleashed a flood of responses, from viewers, bloggers and historians. Now the owner of this tintype and his friend, both direct descendants of the two men in the photograph, ask Wes Cowan to track down the rest of the story.
Was the African American dressed in a Confederate uniform a slave or free? History Detectives investigates the story behind this one of a kind photograph.
Silas' Pension Application
Related Content
Feature:
Feature:
Feature:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Civil War Bridge
Has a new discovery rewritten Civil War history?
-
Also in Season 9
Tiffany Window
What can this watercolor reveal about the unexpected world of one of America’s great artists?
-
Related Investigation
Preston Brook's Riding Crop
Was this riding crop a gift from Jefferson Davis as a reward for attacking a political opponent?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
Army Muster Roll
What can a Continental Army muster roll tell us about this remarkable African-American soldier?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Yakima Canutt's Saddle
What leading role did this saddle play in the birth of the Hollywood cowboy?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Flint Lock Rifle
Was this the gun of one of the most infamous bandits operating to undermine the birth of our nation?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.