Historical Collection
For years as I’ve worked in my studio, the long hours are eased by listening to audio books. Most selections have been American history and biographies. In recent years I have been so pleased to have clients who share this interest and have commissioned historical artwork featuring men of great integrity, decency, and courage. Shown here are paintings of Abraham Lincoln titled “A New Birth of Freedom”, “Nowhere Else to Go” (Lincoln Praying), and “In the Darkest Hour” (Lincoln reading his Bible). These paintings depict Lincoln as a man who sought wisdom from God as he served this nation. The painting titled “For I was Thirsty” depicts the story of Sgt. Richard Kirkland - a young confederate soldier who risked his life to relieve thirst and suffering of Union soldiers at the Battle of Fredericksburg. I have also included a pencil drawing of William Wilberforce, a man who devoted his life and career to abolish the practice of the slave trade. I hope to expand this collection in the coming years to include additional men and women who played important and inspirational roles in our history.
Lincoln at Antietam Oct.3, 1862 "In The Darkest Hour"
On October 2, 1862, two weeks after the battle of Antietam (still the bloodiest day in U.S.Military history) Abraham Lincoln came to visit the Union Army where it was camped in the valley of Antietam and along the Potomac River. For two nights the president stayed in a military tent next to that of General George B. McClellan. Lincoln spent several days visiting the troops and the wounded and conferring with the general. He was shown where some of the fiercest fighting took place and paid a visit to a local farmhouse holding wounded confederate soldiers. Lincoln was deeply moved by the suffering and sacrifices made by the soldiers. He was also frustrated by General McClellan’s reluctance to move. In fact the President was on the verge of removing the commanding General when he came to visit in the fall of 1862. The fate of the nation and the weight of the world seemed to be on Lincoln’s shoulders at this time. He had his own private suffering as well, for his young son Willie had died of Typhus earlier that year in the White House. His wife Mary suffered an emotional breakdown as a result so that even she could not provide support for the care worn President.
This painting depicts Lincoln at the end of one of those long days. With the burden of the war on his shoulders and frustration over General McClellan’s reluctance to move, Lincoln seeks reprieve and wisdom from a small soldier’s Bible (something he had been witnessed doing on other occasions). On the field desk is a picture frame with an Amberotype photograph of Lincoln’s son Willie. it includes a lock of Willie’s hair and is based on one actually owned by Abraham and Mary. On the bed is Lincoln’s stove pipe hat which still has a wide black mourning band on it, in memory of Willie, which can be seen in actual photographs taken of Lincoln’s visit by photographer Alexander Gardner. Next to Lincoln is an officer’s chest with the name Major G.O. Haller stenciled on the side. According to David Hunter Strother, aid to general McClellan: “Another telegram brings the news that Abraham Lincoln and suite will visit us tonight. Major Granville O. Haller went to work in haste and pitched three large tents and borrowed bedding enough to furnish the party with lodging.” On the chest is a captured confederate flag and officer’s sword. Through the tent flap can be seen soldiers of the 93rd New York gathered around a campfire as the moonlight reflects off rows of Sibley tents. Lincoln had always been an avid reader and had a thorough knowledge of the scriptures. As the war progressed he became more deeply convicted that the “Hand of Providence” was involved in the events of the war, his presidency and eventually the end of slavery.
“I have felt his hand upon me in great trials and submitted to His guidance.” Abraham Lincoln
“For I Was Thirsty" Sgt. Richard Kirkland at Fredericksburg
19 year old Confederate Sgt. Richard Kirkland was deeply moved by the cries of the wounded Union soldiers lying in the field before him. That afternoon he decided to do something about it. Kirkland went on to fight in many engagements, including Gettysburg, where he was thought to have been given a brevet promotion to Lieutenant. Kirkland was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, Just nine months after the incident at Marye’s Heights. General Kershaw would later write: “He has bequeathed to the world an example which dignifies our common humanity.”
Lincoln At Antietam, "Nowhere Else To Go"
This painting is also a depiction of Lincoln in his tent at the end of one of those long days of visiting with troops and the wounded, conferring with officers, and seeing where the battles took place. Here he is alone in his tent at night, kneeling in prayer. On the field desk is an Amberotype photograph of his son Willie, based on one actually owned by Abraham and Mary. Lincoln is leaning against an officers chest with the name; Major G.O. Haller stenciled on the side. According to David Hunter Strother; aid to General McClellan: “Another telegram brings news that Abraham Lincoln and suite will visit us tonight. Major Granville O. Haller went to work in haste and pitched three large tents and borrowed bedding enough to furnish the party with lodging.” On the chest is Lincoln’s stove pipe hat which still has a wide black mourning band on it, in memory of Willie. Also on the chest is a captured Confederate flag much like the one seen on the ground in Alexander Gardner’s famous photograph of Lincoln conferring with McClellan. Through the tent flap can be seen soldiers from the 93rd New York gathered around campfires as the moonlight reflects off rows of Sibley tents.
This was a time when perhaps no American President ever faced a greater trial nor experienced greater sorrow. There has been much debate about Lincoln’s spiritual life but the evidence suggests that as the war progressed he became more deeply convicted that “the hand of providence” was involved in the events of the war, his presidency and eventually the end of slavery.
“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go” Abraham Lincoln
A New Birth of Freedom
On April 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln came to see first hand the long sought after prize of the Civil War, the confederate capital Richmond Virginia. Just a day and a half earlier the confederate government had abandoned their capital, leaving part of the city in flames and destroying the bridge across the James river to slow the Union army's pursuit.
Arriving early in the afternoon at Rocketts Landing, the President was escorted by Admiral David Dixon Porter and 12 sailors from the Admiral's flagship the U.S.S. Malvern. Also with the small party were Lincoln's body guard Sgt. William Crook, Lt. Commander Henry Adams of the Navy, Army Captain Charles B. Penrose, Signal Corp officer William W. Clemmens, and Lincoln's 12 year old son Tad (Taddie) Lincoln.