1862 DATED FULL PAGE SKETCH OF CAMP CHASE BY 9TH MASSACHUSETTS ARTILLERY ARTIST RICHARD HOLLAND

$500.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 955-07

Page meas. approx. 9.75 x 6.50 inches and contains a wonderful rendition of the camps of several regiments that made up Camp Chase, Virginia.

The foreground of this sketch is taken up by the camp of the 9th Massachusetts Battery. Spread out across the center of the camp is a line of five caissons and limbers. Between the viewer and the caissons is a large “A” tent and Sibley tent with their openings facing the parade ground where the caissons are parked. To the right of the two tents is a large oak tree beneath which two soldiers stand.

Along the right end of the parade ground is a row of “wedge” tents with a wooden shed behind it, a tree and a US flag with red stripes. The left side of the parade ground has another row of tents with horses attached to a picket line in front of them. The far side of the parade ground has another Sibley tent at far left and six “A” tents in a row.

In the middle distance is a road leading over a small rise and which continues on to what is probably the Potomac River in the far background. Several sail boats are seen on the river. To the right of the road is another camp of mostly Sibley tents. This camp disappears behind a rise. To the left of the road and dominating the background is a larger camp on a rise of ground. This camp consists of Sibley tents, “A” tents and some wooden buildings that appear to be a farm house. In the center is a US flag on a tall pole. Around the outside edge of this camp are several trees to supply shade.

Drawing is signed at lower left “R. HOLLAND… OCT. 1862.”

The main caption is somewhat confusing and reads “HEADQUARTERS OF THE 14TH MASS. AND 15TH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY PART OF CAMP CHASE VA. 9TH MASS BATTERY IN THE FOREGROUND. PHILADELPHIA ARTILLERY COMPANY-14TH MASS.” From the way the caption is written it appears that the camp of the 14th Mass. stretches across the road running through the scene while the camp of the Philadelphia Artillery Company is in the right middle foreground. The 15th Connecticut occupies the camp in the left background while the 9th Mass. is in the foreground.

Reverse of the page is blank. Paper has light surface dirt.

Also included with sketch is a facsimile copy of the cover to Holland’s sketchbook which reads, “SKETCHES OF VIRGINIA – SKETCHES AROUND WASHINGTON D.C., ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, UPTON’S HILL & CENTREVILLE. BY R. HOLLAND, MEMBER OF THE 9TH MASS. BATTERY”. Colorful flags flank the wording.

Richard Holland was born to Michael and Joanna Holland in Ireland on March 15, 1842. He came to the United States with his family at age 12 and settled in North Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Eventually Holland became an apprentice to Captain Lucius Richmond and learned the trade of a painter in which profession he was engaged when the Civil War began.

The now 21 year old Holland enlisted in the office of the selectman of North Bridgewater on July 29, 1862 and was assigned to the 9th Massachusetts Light Battery. At the time of his enlistment Holland was described as being 5’ 6 ½” tall with blue eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.

The 9th Massachusetts Battery served with the 5th and 9th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Private Holland served as the #4 crewman on a gun in the left section of the battery and was responsible for priming and firing the gun on command. He was present with the battery throughout its service being engaged at Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Bethesda Church, Totopotomoy, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher’s Run and the pursuit of Lee. The batteries heaviest loss occurred at Gettysburg where they were very heavily engaged on July 2nd on the Trostle farm. During that action they lost 8 men killed, 19 wounded and 1 missing. Holland was mustered out at the close of the war on June 6, 1865 and brought home with him a sketchbook in which he had kept drawings of people and places related to his service.

He was married twice. The first time to Miss Cecilia Pray in May of 1866. Sadly she died at age 36 of heart disease in April of 1880. The couple had two children, Charles born August 9, 1870 and Mary Cecilia born October 3, 1872.    Mr. Holland married for the second time on July 1, 1882 to Marietta M. Monk. The couple had no children.

After the war Holland resumed his trade as a painter. He became known for his skill graining and later in frescos. His paintings were found in churches throughout the area of his hometown as well as in the Brockton City Hall in Brockton, Massachusetts. His work in the town hall was considered “handsome and spirited.” The frescos depict the battle between the USS KEARSARGE and the CSS ALABAMA, Fort Sumter, the Monitor and the Merrimack, the 12th Massachusetts Battery going into action at Antietam, a Union drummer boy and a mounted cavalry scouting party led by his former employer Lucius Richmond.

Aside from the Brockton Town Hall, Holland also became known for smaller canvas paintings of still life, landscapes etc... However he avoided portraiture in which he felt he did not excel.

In 1884 he returned to Gettysburg as part of a commission to look into the placement of a memorial to the 9th Massachusetts Battery. While there he added to his wartime sketchbook numerous views of the Gettysburg battlefield.

Holland was a member of the Fletcher Webster Post #13 of the GAR and Appomattox Regiment of the Union Veteran’s Union. He was known for lending his artistic talents to any organization he was a member of and without payment.

When he died of pneumonia on January 12, 1906 he was remembered as a helpful, modest, unassuming and kind person. He is buried in Union Cemetery in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Holland’s military records accompany this item.  [AD]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

Inquire About 1862 DATED FULL PAGE SKETCH OF CAMP CHASE BY 9TH MASSACHUSETTS ARTILLERY ARTIST RICHARD HOLLAND

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

VERY RARE US MODEL 1840 AMES CAVALRY OFFICER’S SWORD WITH QUILLBACK SOLINGEN BLADE

Very rare Ames with gold washed, quillback, Damascus blade from Solingen. Manufactured: Springfield, MA / Solingen Maker: N.P.Ames Year: C1840s Model: M1840 Size: 33 5/8 inch blade length, 1.18 wide Condition: Excellent+ This is obviously a product… (870-238). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

25
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram