Memorial: Honor the Brave

DateProbably 1862-1865

Artist George H. Durfee (active 1860s)

MediumGraphite and colored pencils with ink on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Support: 10 x 13 7/8in. (25.4 x 35.2cm) and Framed: 12 7/8 x 16 7/8in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958.304.1

DescriptionA memorial picture in a rectangular reserve, the perimeter shown as with drapes, lifted at the lower corners to reveal scenes of battle and camp life. A trophy is shown at center top. The dominant central motif is a grave in a field with mountains in the distance, a figure of Columbia holding an American flag at its foot.
The 1 3/4-inch splayed, mahogany-veneered frame is possibly original.
Label TextSoverign Brown, a young private in the 134th New York State Volunteers, is honored in this death memorial, which incorporates a variety of patriotic emblems and scenes associated with the Civil War. Vignettes in the borders depict aspects of military life during these years, ending with a funeral cortege in the diagonally placed scroll numbered "16" in the lower right corner.
Existing records for teh 134th New York State Volunteers indicate that Brown enlisted on August 14, 1862, for three years' service [note 1]. He was reported as eighteen years old when he enlisted, although this memorial gives his age as fourteen at the time of death. His company traveled south through Maryland and camped near Fort McHenry, which appears to be the site illustrated in the lower left corner [note 2]. Brown died of an unidentified illness in a hospital in Washington, D. C., less than four months after his enlistment. He was buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery; his grave is currently numbered 607 in section A [note3].
A George H. Durfee is listed in the rolls of the 34th Battery of the New York forces for 1864, but he did not enlist until 1863, nearly a year after Brown's death [note 4]. Whether or not this man was the artist is undetermined.
InscribedThe inscription on the large stone reads: "IN MEMORY OF/Soverign Brow[n]/Co D. 134, N Y, S. V./Died in Alexa/VA./Dec 7: 1862/aged 14. ys. 6 Ms/1 day./He was a True Patriot/and/A good Soldier." The inscription on the footstone is "S. B." On the pennant in the reserve below the composition is inscribed the motto "Honor the Brave." Inscribed in ink on the drape adjacent to the funeral cortege is, "Sketched by/Geo. H. Durfee." "No. 1" appears in pencil at top center and cardinal numbers "2" through "20" are placed elsewhere along the borders or within the composition proper; some numbers appear twice, others only once.
In pencil on the wooden backboard is, "Mrs. A. N. Saxward Brunswick".
ProvenanceJ. Stuart Halladay and Herrel George Thomas, Sheffield, Mass. Halladay died in 1951, leaving his interest in their jointly-owned collection to his partner, Thomas. Thomas died in 1957, leaving his estate to his sister, Mrs. Albert N. Petterson, who was AARFAM's vendor.