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Edwin Forbes , (1839–Mar 6, 1895)

Newspapers in Camp.

1876
11 in. x 15 15/16 in. (27.94 cm x 40.48 cm)

Medium and Support: copper plate etching on paper

Credit Line: transfer from Phillips Academy

Accession Number: 1990.156.28

Commentary

“The newsman is sitting on horseback, surrounded by men who are
buying and reading the latest ‘news from the front,’ as it comes from
the rear.”

In the 1860s, journalism brought the Civil War into the homes of its
readers. Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper and Harper’s Weekly
published weekly newspapers with wood engravings of peoples,
places, and battles. Newspapers hired artists, commonly called
“Special Artists” or “Specials,” to sketch the unfolding events on the
front lines. Equipped with only pencils, sketchbooks, field glasses,
and pocket-sized notebooks of memorandum sketches of uniforms,
artists created detailed drawings, sometimes with written comments,
that were mailed in for translation into printed form. Many artistreporters
never witnessed actual battles, often observing them
through binoculars at a distance and relying on soldiers’ secondhand
descriptions to exact their drawings. Throughout the course of the
war, roughly six thousand images were produced and disseminated
as the primary visual news.

In 1861 Edwin Forbes, at the age of 22, was hired as a staff artist by
the Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper to document the events of
the Army of the Potomac. When Forbes returned to New York in
1864, he refined his wartime sketches to produce a suite of forty
etchings. First published as Life Studies of the Great Army in 1876,
the portfolio illustrated soldiers engaged in everyday activities and
combat as well as escaped slaves’ journeys to freedom. Short texts
were printed on the portfolio folder and are reprinted with each
work in the exhibition.

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

The Civil War: Unfolding Dialogues Addison Gallery of American Art , 10/15/2011 - 4/15/2012

Related Parent(s) Click a record to view

Life Studies of the Great Army
1990.156.1-40

Related Siblings(s) Click a record to view

Image of The Reveille on the Line of Battle. Tattoo in Camp.

The Reveille on the Line of Battle. Tattoo in Camp.
1990.156.1

Image of A Slave Cabin. The Old Grist Mill. "Got any pies for sale, Aunty?"

A Slave Cabin. The Old Grist Mill. "Got any pies for sale, Aunty?"
1990.156.10

The Newspaper Correspondent.
1990.156.11

Coffee Coolers.
1990.156.12

Officers' Winter Quarters.
1990.156.13

Image of A Scene on the Roadside near Summer Camp.

A Scene on the Roadside near Summer Camp.
1990.156.14

Returning from Outpost Duty.
1990.156.15

A Night March.
1990.156.16

A Halt in LIne of Battle.
1990.156.17

The Rear of the Column.
1990.156.18

Image of Stuck in the Mud. A Flank March Across Country during a Thunder Shower.

Stuck in the Mud. A Flank March Across Country during a Thunder Shower.
1990.156.19

Image of The Commissary's Quarters in Winter Camp.

The Commissary's Quarters in Winter Camp.
1990.156.2

Fall in for Soup—Company Mess.
1990.156.20

Going into Camp at Night.
1990.156.21

Image of On Picket at the River Bank. An Old Saw Mill. Waiting for Something to Turn Up

On Picket at the River Bank. An Old Saw Mill. Waiting for Something to Turn Up
1990.156.22

The "Reliable Contraband."
1990.156.23

Home, Sweet Home.
1990.156.24

A Distant Battle.
1990.156.25

A Cavalry Charge.
1990.156.26

Image of A Hot Day. Beef Steak Rare. A Straggler. A Quiet Nibble on the Cavalry Skirmi

A Hot Day. Beef Steak Rare. A Straggler. A Quiet Nibble on the Cavalry Skirmi
1990.156.27

Image of A Watched Pot never Boils. A Hearty Supper on the Battle Field. Drummer Boys.

A Watched Pot never Boils. A Hearty Supper on the Battle Field. Drummer Boys.
1990.156.29

Through the Wilderness.
1990.156.3

Coming into the Lines.
1990.156.30

The Supply Train.
1990.156.31

Image of Gone off with the Yanks. A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey. A Scouting Party.

Gone off with the Yanks. A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey. A Scouting Party.
1990.156.32

The Outer Picket Line, Winter.
1990.156.33

A Lull in the Fight.
1990.156.34

Traffic between the Lines.
1990.156.35

Going into Action.
1990.156.36

Image of An Advance of the Cavalry Skirmish LIne.

An Advance of the Cavalry Skirmish LIne.
1990.156.37

Image of Fording a River. Twenty Minutes Halt.

Fording a River. Twenty Minutes Halt.
1990.156.38

Bummers.
1990.156.39

Image of A Wagoner's Shanty. The Deserted Picket-hut. Mud Huts.

A Wagoner's Shanty. The Deserted Picket-hut. Mud Huts.
1990.156.4

The Sanctuary.
1990.156.40

The Pontoon Bridges.
1990.156.5

Image of A Thirsty Crowd at the Old Spring House. A Race for Camp

A Thirsty Crowd at the Old Spring House. A Race for Camp
1990.156.6

The Leader of the Herd.
1990.156.7

Image of A Rainy Day on Picket. Washing Day.

A Rainy Day on Picket. Washing Day.
1990.156.8

A Christmas Dinner.
1990.156.9

Portfolio List Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio

This object is a member of the following portfolios:

Periods and Styles: MLC Portfolio: Civil War

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