[Grand Army Review, Washington, D.C.] 1865

Alexander Gardner captured this image of the Grand Army Review in Washington, D.C., a powerful demonstration of the Union Army's strength following the Civil War. This photograph serves not only as a historical document but also as a statement about the construction of national identity in a fractured America. Gardner's lens offers a glimpse into the complexities of race, class, and power dynamics within the Union itself. The soldiers, many of whom were recent volunteers, represent a cross-section of American society, united by the cause, yet starkly divided by their lived experiences before and after the war. Gardner, who bravely documented the grim realities of the war, invites us to reflect on who is included and excluded from the narrative of national triumph. How do we reconcile the celebratory spectacle with the unresolved questions of equality and justice that continue to resonate today? This image prompts us to consider the legacy of the Civil War and its enduring impact on American identity.