Large outdoor albumen photograph depicting Castle Murray, also known as Melrose Castle, near Warrenton, Virginia. The image shows a Union army encampment arranged before the stone structure, with multiple canvas tents and a supply wagon in the midground. In the foreground are four African American men, three seated and one standing beside a white Union soldier wearing a shell jacket. Two of the seated men appear to be wearing kepis. The photograph is mounted to a cardstock mount, with the image measuring approximately 7 x 9 inches and the mount approximately 9 x 11 inches. Printed title beneath the image reads “Castle Murray, Near Auburn, Virginia,” with publication credit to Alexander Gardner. No photographer’s imprint is visible on the verso.

This photograph was taken in November 1863 and is attributed to Timothy H. O’Sullivan, who at the time was working for Alexander Gardner following his departure from Mathew Brady’s studio. The image was published as plate no. 47 in Gardner’s Sketchbook of the War, Volume I. While the printed title identifies the location as near Auburn, Virginia, period references and manuscript captions on comparable examples place the scene near Warrenton, Virginia. The structure shown served as headquarters for Union General Alfred Pleasonton during the late fall of 1863, following his cavalry actions earlier that year and prior to his reassignment west.

The presence of African American men in the foreground is significant. These individuals are understood to be contrabands, self emancipated formerly enslaved people who sought refuge within Union lines. Their inclusion reflects the evolving role of contrabands in Union camps as laborers, refugees, and participants in the broader transformation of the war. Images of contrabands in situ within military encampments are among the most historically important subjects in Civil War photography, documenting both military operations and the human consequences of emancipation.

The mount is plain, without decorative borders. The verso is blank aside from a small handwritten number at the upper right.