William Pearson. gun position at Fredricksburg [sic]. Graphite on paper. Titled to lower margin. Signed "William Pearson / 11th Vermont Vol," n.d. Visible 7 x 6 in. Presented in modern mat and frame, 10 3/4 x 9 7/8 in.

A fine period pencil sketch depicting an officer, complete with Hardee hat, shoulder boards and a sword at his side, observing a cannon flanked by two Kepi-clad artillerymen while a third sits or kneels behind them. 

The 11th Vermont Infantry was recruited on 1 September, 1862, and on 10 December was redesigned as the 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery. William M. Pearson (ca 1840-1917) would, however, not serve with the regiment long enough to see this change go into effect; he would muster in as a private at the regiment's inception and was discharged 29 November, 1862, due to a disability. During his brief tenure, Pearson served with Company F, fortifying and garrisoning forts Bunker Hill and Slocum. In his wake, the 1st Artillery would see action at important conflicts including the Battle of Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Cedar Creek, and the Siege of Petersburg.

Though there is no record of the 11th Vermont engaging at the Battle of Fredericksburg, the duration of Pearson's military career would have aligned with battle preparations. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera] [Ordnance, Artillery, Ammunition, Arms & Armor, Guns]