St. Patrick’s Day in the army–The grand stand
1863
Edwin Forbes sketched this lively scene during the American Civil War in 1863, capturing a moment of rare leisure for Union soldiers. It depicts a horse race held on St. Patrick's Day, complete with a makeshift wooden grandstand packed with cheering troops and jockeys urging their horses forward. Forbes traveled with the Army of the Potomac as a special artist, famous for documenting the everyday lives of soldiers rather than just the bloody battles. This sketch offers a fascinating glimpse into how troops tried to maintain morale and celebrate holidays even amidst the chaos of war.
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