The Birthday of Eternity

Alfred Waud, died April 6, 1891

Alfred Waud, July 1863, photographed by Timothy O'Sullivan in Devil's Den after the Battle of Gettysburg

Alfred Waud (pronounced "Wode") was an artist correspondent during the American Civil War. 

Funeral of Elmer Ellsworth in East Room of White House, May 1861

Waud attended every battle of the Army of the Potomac between the First Battle of Bull Run  in 1861 and the Siege of Petersburg in 1865.   He was one of only two artists present at the Battle of Gettysburg.  His depiction of Pickett's Charge is thought to be the only visual account by an eyewitness.

Death of General Reynolds at Gettysburg, 1863

Just before the battle of Gettysburg, a friend and colleague of Waud was ambushed by some Confederates and killed. Waud buried him himself.

Death of General Polk at Kennesaw Mountain, 1864

Lincoln's Body Lying in State, April 1865

The astounding number of 2,300 field sketches by Waud are housed in the Library of Congress, the gift to the nation of J. Pierpont Morgan.

"HERE'S A HEALTH TO THE NEXT ONE THAT DIES." SKETCH BY ALFRED WAUD

Waud continued to be a prolific illustrator, doing numerous illustrations for Harper's Weekly  and other prominent publications, achieving his greatest fame in his post-War work.  In 1866, he began touring the South and west to the Rockies, recording Indian and pioneer life. He also went into the Mississippi River Valley and the Dakota Territory. After 1882, he suffered ill health and ceased to travel.

In 1891, he died of a heart attack while sketching  in Marietta, Georgia at the age of 62.

Waud, later in his life

He was buried at Saint James Episcopal Cemetery in Marietta.

  

Waud Gravesite in Marietta, Georgia