ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role of a photograph album to enhance our understanding and engagement with stories of the Civil War. The photograph album of Captain William A. Prickitt reveals the meaning of not only a single man's military service but also its legacy for his family generations later. The microphotography album contains photographs of Black soldiers who served in the 25th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops. Prickitt's descendants, after much thought and consideration, donated the album to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. With this donation, they shared a private history not often evident in stories of the Civil War: that of interracial interdependence and respect. Now that the album is in a public collection, the stories of these Black soldiers which may otherwise have remained buried in the annals of military records are accessible to a wider audience. The album presents to us unique images of these men and, along with Captain Prickitt's story, helps us to witness their humanity. As such, this album assists the Museum in its endeavors to document African American experiences, conduct projects that recover memories, and enrich our own understanding of the American past.
