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Forbes, Edwin (1839-1895) On Picket at the River Bank

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02199.22 Author/Creator: Forbes, Edwin (1839-1895) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Print Date: 1876 Pagination: 1 etching : b&w ; 46.9 x 59.2 cm. Order a Copy

Marked "Plate 22." Has 3 images. Upper left image is titled "On Picket at the River Bank," and shows several large trees along the edge of a river with a solider standing next to one of them. Upper right image is titled "An Old Saw Mill," and shows mill with several wagons next to it. The wheel is not visible. Bottom image is titled "Wating for Something to Show Up," and depicts a scene behind a breastwork during a lull in a battle. The troops defending this position of the line are sleeping under their tents or lounging under the shade of trees and house. A lookout is posted in a tree to give advance warning of any enemy approach. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.5 x 40.3 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club, while he travelled with the Union Army from 1862-1865. Born in New York City, Forbes became a Civil War reportorial artist for Leslie's Illustrated newspaper, joining the staff at age 22 in 1861.

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

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