Peter and the carte-de-visite photograph

"But for the unmistakeable evidence which he bore upon his back, I could not have believed his story."

“We learn here, also, that the stories of cruelty to the slaves are not destitute of truth.  I saw last week one of the most horrid and singular objects I ever beheld.  It was the bare back of a negro who had been beaten by an overseer.  According to his story, it was last fall when he received the beating, and notwithstanding the long time intervening, his back was still a complete mass of blisters, the sight of which could hardly fail to make one shudder.  The negro said he was insensible when he was whipped, and that all he knew about it was what his wife told him.  But for the unmistakeable evidence which he bore upon his back, I could not have believed his story.  Lieut. Stearns took him to an artist and had a picture taken of his back.  I have purchased several copies to send home.  One copy I shall send to Mr. S. E. Bridgman, of Northampton, who will show it to any one desiring to see it.  It speaks for itself.  The man lived across the river from Port Hudson.”
 
Excerpt from Army Correspondence.
From the 52d Regiment.
Correspondence of the Gazette & Courier.
Baton Rouge, April 6, 1863.