Portrait of a Quartermaster

Portrait of a Quartermaster

Delicate portrait mixed with hasty sketching.

no date

Recto: no text.

Verso: "Of all the positions in the Army there is none so trying as that of the Quartermaster. From morning till late at night his office is beleaguered with crowds of soldiers and citizens, each individual having particular business and wishing immediate attentions. There are indeed few men who have the constitutional qualities to brave such a continual [?] and worry, and who have at the same time the business tact and energy to work order out the apparent chaos surrounding them. It is therefore no wonder that so few quartermasters capable of doing their duty are to be found, and that such loud complaints are uttered against the administration of this department. Gen. Morris was blessed with Lt. David L. Smith who gave entire satisfaction to everybody, how he managed it, we don't know but everything was at the right place at the right time, and everybody could get his dues promptly. Nothing seemed to confuse him, though nature or accident have robbed him of one eye, that remaining one seems capable of looking into everything more quickly and thoroughly, than any other two eyes."

Rip along horizontal fold; loss of paper on lower margin; several pin holes on right side.

graphite on wove paper

7.5 x 9.75 in.

Graphite drawings--American--1860-1870

Portrait drawings--American--1860-1870

Original drawing location: CW-HL-UK-NDc (Box 5.)

http://hdl.handle.net/2345/4531

(Becker)CW-HL-UK-NDc