Gettysburg Battlefield [and] Map of the Battle Field of Gettysburg

Fine 20th-century reproductions of Bachelder’s iconic view and maps of Gettysburg.

This set of four reproduced images represents one of the most detailed 19th-century depictions of the Civil War battlefield around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. While only one sheet is dated, each was likely reprinted locally in the 1980s as souvenirs for local tourists. The set includes a dramatic bird’s eye view of the battlefield and three detailed plans of each days’ action. According to the Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library,

“Following European military tradition, U.S. Army Engineers published maps for most major battles shortly after the war. However, the Gettysburg after-battle maps were not published until 1876. In comparison to the others, they are quite remarkable. Their production resulted from the collaboration of a civilian, John Bachelder, and a team of Army surveyors under the direction of noted mapmaker, Gen. G. K. Warren. These topographic surveys were so detailed that the resulting maps, issued at a scale of 1 inch equals 1,000 feet, used four-foot contours and shading to represent the terrain. Three maps, rather than one, documented the positions and movements of the armies during the course of the battle.”

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