Alexander C. Meinung was a Moravian musician who served with the field band of the 26^th North Carolina Infantry throughout the Civil War. He was captured on April 5, 1865 during the evacuation of Petersburg. During the Battle of Gettysburg, where the 26^th suffered extremely high casualties, Meinung served as a stretcher bearer. He was a talented artist and during his time in service he kept a sketchbook. That sketchbook survived and eventually came into the hands of his great-niece, Ruth Meinung. The book was unbound and the individual pieces of Confederate artwork have been archivally matted and framed. This is one of those historical pieces.

This particular scene depicts the 26^th regiment’s “Camp on R. Road – Rapidan Riv.  Va --  Oct. 1863. Orange Court H.” Done mostly in pencil, there are details in ink. It is also obvious that some wet brush work was used.  There are a few small captions within the illustration.  Under the detail of a train chugging past reads “to Culpeper”, and the “River” is pointed out. In the bottom, left corner reads, “Camp on Rapidan Riv. Oct. 1863 / Yankee camp at foot of mountains.  A.M.” The sketch is initialed a second time “A.M.”  in the lower, right corner. Sketch is approximately 12” x 7”. Frame measures 18 ½” x 14”.

Much of the original collection was listed in the Horse Soldier’s catalog #9 from the Fall of 1989. Several of these sketches by Meinung are owned and on display at the Gettysburg National Military Park. This is a rare opportunity to own an original Confederate sketch…from the 26^th NC to boot!    [jet]

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