An Artist's Story of the Great War

Edwin Forbes, a New York City native born in 1839, became a prominent sketch artist for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper at just 22. In 1861, he joined the Army of the Potomac, making him one of the youngest artists to document the Civil War. His work primarily captured the everyday experiences of soldiers, alongside dramatic battle scenes such as the Second Battle of Bull Run and Hooker's Charge at Antietam, providing a unique visual narrative of the conflict.