The veteran
1863
Edwin Forbes sketched this weary mule in the field during the American Civil War, scribbling the date 'Sep 28th 63' and location 'Culpeper' right onto the paper. Titled 'The Veteran,' the drawing offers a poignant twist on military honor, suggesting this beast of burden had survived the grueling campaigns just as long as the human soldiers. Forbes traveled with the Union Army to document the gritty, unglamorous reality of camp life and logistics. The animal's bony hips and slumped posture perfectly capture the exhaustion of a creature that has seen too much action.
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