- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Location
- East Texas
The recent thread on postcards of Civil War subjects reminded me of these, purchased on vacation sometime around the time of the Centennial or shortly afterward, ca. 1960's - 1970's. They reproduce three famous paintings of Confederate "types" by veteran William L. Shepard who was a member of the Richmond Howitzers during the war and also illustrated the "classic" Detailed Minutiae Of Soldier Life In The Army Of Northern Virginia written by fellow artilleryman Carleton McCarthy. Somewhat romanticized and looking a bit too natty, they nevertheless provide a look at how veterans wished to be remembered, like the infantry private above, calmly lighting his pipe.
The other two subjects are the artillery officer, a captain commanding a battery, with his field glasses above, and the cavalryman below preparing to bridle his horse. Notice the left-hand gauntlet casually tucked into his belt, the way the fronts of his high-topped boots are turned down, and his saddle, blanket roll, and saber lying on the ground behind him.
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