Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-28
A Great Picture I'm Progress.


MANY Of our readers will feel pleas
ure in learning that in this city a large
historical picture connected with the
late civil war is in progress. The
scene is laid on the extreme left wing
Of General Sidney Johnston's army,o
the evening Of Friday previous to the
battle Of Shiloh,at Purdy, Tenn. The
Memphis Z1ulves, under command of
CaptAil PoElkes afterwards killed at
the battle Of Richmond, Ky.,) occu-
pied that post He is represented as
giving orders to his men around q log
fire. The Wild scenery Of the locality
is very apparent and the sun etting
With a stormy sky. indicating the ap-
preach Of storm that followed on the
eve alter the battle. When the lead
ers Of the army ard seBiihsis CO
picket are painted, there will be about
sixty figures on the canvas. The
stream running from the Crockett
Mills on the let Of the Ipieture is
seer on he side Of the hill and in the
foreground. The size Of the painting
is lOx7. The shelters ~inprovised for
the soldiers are very interesting. The
author Of this picture is J. Brisbane
Hawkins, formerly Of the Harris
Cadets, who is a graduate Of the
French Royal Academy Of Fine Arts.
Landed properly belonging to the
author Of this picture was con6scated
during the war, but as he had been a
Judicial officer, be was not pardoned
until the general amnesty after the
capture Of the Yirginius steamer by
the Spaniards. 1t appears the heirs
to7the property in the United States
have been swindled out Of the land,
thus reducing the author to poverty
by recording false documents
during the time he was
in the Confederate Army.
MI. Hawkins is quite an old man, but
full Of the enthusiasm Of a born aud
cultured artist. He was a pupil of
the famous Sir Joshua Reynolds,
some Of whose pictures take very high
rank in the world Of art. This paint
ing, when finished, will be a valuable
addition to the historical pictures Of
the world, and one Of the very few Of
merit produced in the South since the
war. In the foreground will be
recognized the faces Of men
who went out from Memphis, taken
from lie or from reliable photographs.
Some Of them live here now and pur-
sue The quiet ways of business. 1t is
intended also to introduce the then
war Governor, lsham G.. Harris, and
one OF two other distinguished Ten
nesseeans ss visiting the outpost. 1t
is a splendid conception, and the
groups arc arranged Sin an easy, mats
ural way, without stiffness. or appears
ance OF being on dress parade,
on error too common among artists
who desire TO fitter a cause or a pat
ron. Mr.. Hawkins was finally dis
charged from the service on account
Of over age. Heis now engaged in a
great work, but really needs encour.
agoment if not assistance. No ono
can visit his studio without thinking
Of the Ben JOnsons and Goldsmiths,
and artists who lived and
toiled 10 want and became
great after they we're dead.
We take an authorized liberty in III us
speaking Of the private affairs OF a
cultured and sensitive old gentleman,
but believe that the end justifes the
means. aud knowing that there are
many here who would give him remu-
neratiye employment as q teacher in
painting or 10 the various LANGUAGES
he reads and speaks il his claims
could be properly brought to their