AN ARTIST ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION by Cyndi Thompson
The news had been announced; the rumors finally became reality... the war had begun. This was the war between the North and the South. It would soon be known as The Civil War. John ignored the scurry outside as he stared at his sketch pad blankly. His mind wandered many miles away. He thought of home,his dear mother, and his brothers. He remembered the farm and all the good times that they had spent together only weeks before he had taken this job as an artist for the newspaper. He knew his brothers had eagerly awaited this announcement and knew how excited they must be. Within his stomach however was a cold fear for John disliked war and had hoped that another alternative could have been reached. But there was no room for such wishes now.
The war had begun, and there was no stopping what would happen next. John knew however, that he did not want to fight in this war. He hated war. John had wandered into this town in Maryland only weeks before in pursuit of his career as an artist. He loved to draw and his passion showed through his sketches. His mother always said that he was destined for great things due to his abilities. His uncle was a newspaper editor and agreed to let John work for him for $3.00 a week. He had seen John's sketches and knew that his drawings would help his newspaper stories come alive. It was all very exciting for John. His dream had come true, but with such awful timing! Everyone's focus was now on the war. How would he ever become a well-known artist?
John packed his things and hurried off to his newest assignment. Abraham Lincoln was going to be coming through town and John knew he could not miss the chance to draw the President of the United States! It was not a very long trip. John knew when he had arrived at the correct place by all the cheering he heard. He made his way through the crowd and finally arrived at the train where Lincoln was soon to speak. There were many people there on that day, and what a beautiful day it was. The birds were all out singing, and the sun was shining bright. John's attention was brought to the platform on the back of the train as the President made his way to the railing. John quickly grabbed his sketch pad and began a masterpiece. He had to draw very quickly as there was not much time and he tried to get many drawings from different angles. Lincoln spoke with great dignity. His appearance commanded the highest form of respect. He was very tall and thin with powerful eyes that John made sure to emphasize in his sketch. He talked about the war and about those who would risk their lives in pursuit of what they believed.
The crowd cheered at the mention of war. Once the speech was over, John began to pack up his drawings when suddenly something grabbed his attention. Could it be? No! It couldn't possibly be! But yes, there he was as clear as day... inside Lincoln's train. It was John's good friend Jonas! "He must work for the President!" John thought out loud. John made his way through the crowd and up to the platform where Lincoln had just been minutes before. He caught Jonas' attention. Jonas was happy to see him. John thought, "So that is why Jonas never would talk about where he worked! He works under cover for the President!"Just then Jonas saw John and told the guard to allow him to enter the train. Wow! What an opportunity! John was so excited he almost forgot his sketches on the ground!
He quickly swooped them up though, as this was an opportunity he could not miss. Once inside the train, John looked around. It was a beautiful train that was fit for a President. There were so many questions that he wanted to ask of Jonas but his attention was refocused when the door opened and in walked Abraham Lincoln. There he was. Right before John's eyes. The President of the United States! "I saw you out there drawing sketches young man" the President remarked. "Yes I did Mr. President. Would you like to see them?". President Lincoln looked eagerly on as John displayed his work. "These are fabulous. Would you have a minute to draw a portrait of my wife and me?" the President asked. "Of course!" John exclaimed and quickly began his work.
As he drew, the President asked him many questions. Then he asked the one question that John had hoped he would not ask... "So son, are you enlisted to be a soldier yet?". "No," John answered. I have brothers that have enlisted in the South and my cousins are up here fighting for the North's side, but I just don't want to fight in the war. My brothers think of me as a coward for not taking part in it". The President appeared to be deep in thought. Soon he stated that he thought that John could be very useful in the war even though he was not a soldier. John seemed to be surprised. "How would I ever be of help if I don't agree with either side?". The President gave John an answer he would never forget. "You do not have to take anyone's side, John. You can simply use your artist skills and draw what is happening in the war to keep the American people informed on all that is going on. They have no other way of seeing what war is all about than through drawings. Your work would be of great benefit to all Americans!".
John was very happy! He finally found a way that he could help in the war. And it didn't mean doing what he felt uncomfortable doing! He didn't have to fight! His portrait was completed and the bell began to ring signaling the exit of the train. The President thanked John for the portrait. It was beautiful! John felt honored to have been given such an opportunity! He felt a peace in his heart knowing that he would be an important part in the war. He had been so wrong in his assumption that he could not become well known in war time. The President of the United States now carried one of his drawings. He couldn't wait to get back to his uncle's house to tell them who he had just met! In the weeks and months to come, John became very important in informing people on the Civil War. His pictures vividly portrayed all that happened. He sat beside battle fields and within ruins to get the most realistic pictures of all that happened.
1. What war was being fought when this story happened? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
2. What did newspapers use to show people and places before the invention of photographs? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
3. How do you think that Lincoln's appearance affected how he came across to others? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
4. What can you infer from this story about the financial state of the country before the war? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
5. What sort of conflicts would John have faced if he had fought for the South? for the North? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
" AN ARTIST ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION" Outline
I. The announcement of the Civil War
A. John remembers home
B. John dislikes war
C. John knows he will not fight
II. Background on John's living in Maryland
A. Pursuit of career in art
B. Uncle gives him a job at the newspaper
C. John's fear of not becoming well known at war time
III. John takes a new assignment
A. President Lincoln comes to speak nearby
B. Many people attended the speech
C. Sunny day...hardly seems like war
D. John draws a few sketches of Lincoln
IV. John sees Jonas in the train
A. Jonas is John's friend
B. Jonas gets John in the train
V. John meets Lincoln
A. Lincoln asks that a sketch be made quickly
B. Lincoln speaks with John concerning the war
1. He asks if John will join
2. John explains his dilemma in joining
3. Lincoln encourages John to use his artistic abilities in the war.
VI. John exits the train
A. John feels his importance in the war
VII. John becomes a well-known artist
A. Newspapers purchase his drawings
Props: Sketched pictures of battles, old Civil War era newspapers, pictures of Lincoln Sketch pad
Sources: Movie: "The Blue and the Gray"
Answers to Questions:
1. The Civil War.
2. Drawn pictures.
3. It probably made him appear more respectable.
4. It probably was not very good (salary $3.00/week).
5. He would have to fight his cousins or his brothers.