Thomas G. Wood a 1/9 Plate tintype by unknown photographer, note the image is reversed. A mirror held up to the image reveals Tommie’s initials under the brim of his cap “TGW”.

Traveling Exhibition from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Available Beginning January 2009:

Portraits in Gray: A Civil War Photography Exhibition

featuring the collection of David Wynn Vaughan

After losing parents prior to the war, 17-year-old Tommie Woods, of Social Circle, Ga., left home and joined the Confederate Army in 1861. He became the beloved drummer boy for his regiment and was deployed to Richmond, Va.

During the bitterly cold winter in Richmond, Woods contracted pneumonia and died. His portrait, as well as many other photographs of brave soldiers is displayed as part of the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History’s first traveling exhibition, Portraits in Gray: a Civil War Photography Exhibition.

The Pattillo Brothers from Henry County, Georgia, ¼ plate ambrotype, by unknown photographer. The four brothers, each holding a D- guard Bowie or side knife, (left to right) Benjamin, George, James and John were all members of the 22nd Georgia.

Private collector David Wynn Vaughan of Atlanta, Ga., has arguably the largest collection of Civil War Confederate images in the nation, many of them identified. The exhibition features 70 images in nine thematic sections. One section highlights his rare collection of eight of the known 12 portraits of cadets at the Georgia Military Institute. Other sections include Citizen Solider, Snapshots in Time, Civil War Photography, Dressed for the Photographer, Brothers in Arms, Youth at War and Bowie Knives and Muskets. Borrowing institutions have many opportunities to feature their Civil War artifacts and photographs within the exhibition, as well.

Brothers Charles and John Hawkins, ¼ plate ambrotype, by unknown photographer. These two brothers from a wealthy family of planters became members of the 38th Georgia in 1861.

“The entire collection is exceptionally rare and gives us insight into the human face of the American Civil War, as well as the importance of the photographers and photography of the period, and the valuable visual record they left behind,” Curator Mike Bearrow, said.

The exhibition begins traveling in January 2009 and the Southern Museum is currently seeking venues to host this wonderful exhibition.

Exhibition fee: 12 week booking $6000.00 (January 2009- 2014)
Contents: 4 crates, weighing: 960 lbs
Total Running feet: 135

• 70 Reproduction framed four-color photographs of Confederate images of soldiers from the David Wynn Vaughan collection (54) 16 "x 20" and (16) 14" x 18" sizes.
• 10 thematic text panels 26 1/4" x 30"
• 1 panel 82" x 60" reproduction painting of the Georgia Military Institute campus courtesy of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; A.H. Stephens State Historic Park.
• 5 banners 33 1/4" x 81" (1) exhibit introduction and (4) thematic banners
• 1 reproduction stereo viewer with cards

Contact information:

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
2829 Cherokee Street NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Mike Bearrow, Curator
770-427-2117, extension 3169
mbearrow@kennesaw-ga.gov

*Images courtesy of David Wynn Vaughan.