Edwin Forbes

American, 1839 – 1895

Edwin Austin Forbes was an American landscape painter and etcher who first gained fame during the American Civil War for his detailed and dramatic sketches of military subjects, including battlefield combat scenes.

Forbes was born in New York, studied under Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait, and began as an animal and landscape painter. During the Civil War, he was special artist for Frank Leslie's Magazine. Many of the spirited etchings he drew during the conflict were later presented by General Sherman to the government. They are now preserved in the War Office at Washington because of their historic value.

After the war, Forbes painted landscape and cattle scenes, among which are "Orange County Pasture" (1879) and "Evening—Sheep Pasture" (1881). In 1877 he was made an honorary member of the London Etching Club.

He died in 1895 in Brooklyn and is interred in Green-Wood Cemetery.

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Breastworks near Williamsport, Md., thrown up by Gen. Lee’s army, on its retreat toward the Potomac

Breastworks near Williamsport, Md., thrown up by Gen. Lee’s army, on its retreat toward the Potomac (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Bridge across the Matapony River near Bowling Green, Va.

Bridge across the Matapony River near Bowling Green, Va. (1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Building a chimney

Building a chimney (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Bummers [Foragers]

Bummers [Foragers] (1862-1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Bummers

Bummers (1861-1876)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Burning breastworks and forts at Manassas

Burning breastworks and forts at Manassas (1862)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Caisson and battery horses – near the grove of trees

Caisson and battery horses – near the grove of trees

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Camp on Little River, Va. The march to Gettysburg

Camp on Little River, Va. The march to Gettysburg (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Camp Pardee–Col. Gearys command–near Upperville, Va.

Camp Pardee–Col. Gearys command–near Upperville, Va. (1862)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Capt. Joe Hilton, 12th NYV, Culpeper, Va.

Capt. Joe Hilton, 12th NYV, Culpeper, Va. (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Catlett’s Station on the Orange & Alex. R.R.

Catlett’s Station on the Orange & Alex. R.R. (1862)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalry charge near Brandy Station, Va.

Cavalry charge near Brandy Station, Va. (1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalry charge near Culpeper Court House, Va.

Cavalry charge near Culpeper Court House, Va. (1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalry fight near Aldie, Va. During the march to Gettysburg

Cavalry fight near Aldie, Va. During the march to Gettysburg

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalry orderly waiting for orders

Cavalry orderly waiting for orders (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalry outpost, near Potomac Creek. Daybreak on a cold morning

Cavalry outpost, near Potomac Creek. Daybreak on a cold morning (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalry reconnaissance to Culpepper Court House, Va.

Cavalry reconnaissance to Culpepper Court House, Va. (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cavalryman escort, Culpeper

Cavalryman escort, Culpeper (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Charge of Hancock’s Corps in front of Spottsylvania Court House

Charge of Hancock’s Corps in front of Spottsylvania Court House (1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Charge of Union troops of the left flank of the army commanded by Genl. Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain

Charge of Union troops of the left flank of the army commanded by Genl. Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain (1862)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Coffee coolers

Coffee coolers (1861-1876)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Cold Harbor Tavern, June 3, 1864

Cold Harbor Tavern, June 3, 1864 (1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Coming into the lines. A party of slaves…have started for the Union lines

Coming into the lines. A party of slaves…have started for the Union lines (1861-1876)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Contrabands escaping

Contrabands escaping (1864)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Culpepper, Va.–Stacking wheat

Culpepper, Va.–Stacking wheat (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Departure of two-years men from the Army of the Potomac. A scene near Falmouth

Departure of two-years men from the Army of the Potomac. A scene near Falmouth (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Dick, sketched on the 6th of May, on return to camp

Dick, sketched on the 6th of May, on return to camp (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Dick, the cook, sketched near Culpeper Court House

Dick, the cook, sketched near Culpeper Court House (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Drummer boy, Culpeper

Drummer boy, Culpeper (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

Drummer boy, taking a rest, Culpeper, Va.

Drummer boy, taking a rest, Culpeper, Va. (1863)

Edwin Forbes (American, 1839 – 1895)

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