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Collection Reference Number GLC02199.23
From Archive Folder Life Studies of the Great Army 
Title The "Reliable Contraband"
Date 1876
Author Forbes, Edwin (1839-1895)  
Document Type Artwork
Content Description Marked "Plate 23." A scene at the cavalry outpost. In the foreground a black runaway slave, a contraband of war, is leading an old horse and is seen hesitatingly imparting to anxious officers what little information he possesses of the enemy's movements. Cavalrymen and their horses are grouped about the house in the middle ground, and in the distance a look-out is sitting on his horse watching the road through the woods, in anticipation of the approach of the enemy. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.4 x 40.5 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.
Subjects Civil War  Military History  Union Forces  Art, Music, Theater, and Film  Printing  Cavalry  Contrabands  African American History  Slavery  Spying  
People Forbes, Edwin (1839-1895)  
Place written New York, New York
Theme The American Civil War; Slavery & Abolition; African Americans
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945
Additional Information Print portfolio of 40 copperplate etchings made by Forbes while accompanying Union armies Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club, while he travelled with the Union Army from 1862-1865. Dated from the copyright date of 1876. A separate folder marked "Table of Contents Board," is the front cover of the book. Pasted to the back of the board is a "Descriptive Index." Was sold by subscription. Cost $25 with tinted plate paper and $50 with India plate paper. Purple stamp at bottom of index says "Sole Agent John Beacham, 23 Liberty St, N.Y." Born in New York City, Forbes became a Civil War reportorial artist for Leslie's Illustrated newspaper, joining the staff at age 22 in 1861.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945