Salutes, love, admiration, and Ashees to American soldiers and specifically those of African descent whose lives were given for American freedom, or for the American goverment's interests. May their memories be a blessing.Ashee, ashee, ashee.
This is an original 1865 print by Thomas Nast, one of the most popular artists of the 1800's. It is one of the most touching and dramatic of all Civil War Art of Negro Soldiers, and one of my personal favorites. The print shows a Union Buffalo Soldier who lost his leg in the Civil War. He is standing in his Union uniform, and is supported by crutches. He has lost his leg well above his knee. Lady Liberty stands by the soldier, with her hand tenderly placed upon his shoulder. She is looking out of the picture and pointing to him with her other hand, as if to ask, "what shall we do with this man". At the time this print was made, the Nation was struggling to deal with the "freemen". This print presents the perspective that the Negro, along with the white man, had served bravely in the war, and deserved to be fully recognized for his heroism. In the background is a tattered US flag, and inscribed on the flag are battles such as Fort Pillow and Fort Wagner, which were battles in which Buffalo Soldiers played a particularly important role.
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