In a black and white photograph, nine men are featured standing outside "Pine Cottage," their living quarters. After a quick overview of the photograph, a few things become clear, these men enjoy themselves and each other's company. One man stands casually, gripping his broom, though clearly disinterested in sweeping. He is bemused in conversation with another man who rests his foot upon a log, taking a sabbatical from chopping wood. You can almost hear the conversation, "Hell Bill, make sure you sweep up those woodchips, I don't want to trip over any bits during the night." In another section of the very dynamic photograph, a man sits atop the cottage. He squats, preparing to throw an object at his friends below. His presence adds to the blatant humor in the shot. Sitting in front of the cottage doorway, two men tailor a pair of boots, exchanging words as they work. Directly behind the tailors stands another man, reading some literature, leaning on the doorframe. Adjacent to the tailors sits a man; he sits cross-legged on a stool resting his head down, seemingly enjoying the non-activity. Slightly behind the man on the stool stands two men, one brushing his friends shoulder as his friend looks toward the camera. This group of men seems to revel in the day's informal and unscheduled activity. They are not regular civilians; they are Union soldiers in the Civil War, relaxing in their recreation time. Are they really this nonchalant? Are they unfazed by the abundant deaths of the Civil War? No! Upon a more detailed a thorough analysis of the photograph, the truth surfaces. Although the picture takes on the appearance of a satire, in reality it is an unintentional social narrative concerning the dangers of the Civil War. The lone soldier who stares into the camera disrupts the continuity of the shot. He does not ignore the camera alike his fellow army men, he stares directly into lens, penetrating...