The Washington herald., 1914-04-08
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How Remington Painted His Battle
of San Juan"

How Remington Painted ms Battle
of San Juan"
Written Expressly for The Herald.
BY DIR. n. J. EDWARDS.
The late Frederic Remington. who
gained high reputation as painter in
Indian life on the frontier and Of horses
In action. was ambitious TO point battle
scene descriptive Of the charge Of San
Juan Hill, Cuba, made by the American
soldiers at the time OF the war with
Spain. He hoped to be able TO put upon
canvas fairly accurate picture descrip-
tive OF the battle at its most, critical mo-
ment After Col Roosevelt returned
from Cuba, Remington had several con-
versations with him and discovered that
the commander Of the Rough Riders
spoke with enthusiasm Of the artists
purpose.
1t was apparent to Remington. how
ever. that II he were to paint his pic
ture so that there could be accurate
representation OF the country and Of the
landscape II would be necessary for him
to go TO Cuba and perhaps spend two or
three months in studying the scenery
which was the environment Of the battle.
He foresaw that he might have a
lonely time In Cuba. He did not know
but that his work would entail rough
life. camping at night and he was not
assured OF the means by which he could
obtain his meals in comparatively regu-
lar order.
Shortly after Remington landed at
Dalquiri, he was greeted with the ut
most cordiality by a man who knew
him well enough to call him Fred"
This man was Edward Jennings Cox.
who died only a year ago. He had been
for some years stationed at the great
iron mines near Dalquiri. being the execu-
tive manager OF these mines. which are
owned by American capital From Mr..
Cox was obtained the story OF Reming-
tons adventures In Cuba while painting
his descriptive scene Of the assault upon
San Juan Hill
Fred was perfectly delighted when he
heard the sound OF a familiar voice."
said Mr.. Cox. I'VE had known one an
other at a time when he was painting
some Of his Western frontier scenes.
invited him TO be my guest as long as
he was In Cuba telling him he could
come and go as he chose.
7 was as greatly please to have him
with me. as he appeared to be to accept
my offer of hospitality. We were two OF
a kind. both fun-loving. fond Of adven-
ture and having keen appreciation Of
the kind Of life which Remington so
wildly painted. depicting scenes upon
the remote frontier OF the United States
II had heard that Remington was
swift painter. not always careful of de-
tails. But II any man could have taken
greater pains with the detail OF a great
painting than Remington did, should
like to know how he did H.
He used to go out every day to the
which was not far distant.
He took sketch after sketch OF the lay
" the ground. He studied the contour
1f the country and the battlefield from |
svery angle. OF course. he was compelled |
10 rely upon his imagination. fortified by |
which men gave to him OF |
he battle. for that part OF the work |
which pictured forth the actual assault. |
1T was not until a year had passed /
hat he had obtained the material need /
ID for painting all OF the pictures. When /
lie went away felt as IL had lost my |
learest friend. I was delighted to know.
Is I learned before Remington's death.
hat his picture was spoken Of in words
u high appreciation both by those who
lever saw San Juan Hill and by those
Who took part in the battle
lCoryTiEht. 1914
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell of
The Sentimental Side of the Late
ieorge WestInghouses'