Theodore R Davis

Theodore R Davis (1840–1894) was a 19th-century American artist, who made numerous drawings of significant military and political events during the American Civil War and its aftermath

As a child, Theodore R Davis was taken to Washington DC where he graduated from Rittenhouse Academy When he was fifteen, he moved to New York where studied art under Henry W Herrick and James Walker

The Training Theodore Davis received under James Walker was informal Davis typified certain artists as "special artists" was hired by popular magazines and newspapers He was hired by them to illustrate the Civil War He was hired by Harpers Weekly in 1861

During the Civil War, he served as a captain in the 15th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry After the war, he became a companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

Some of these drawings include the Battle of Champion Hill, and the most significant sketch of General Joseph E Johnston and General William T Sherman meeting at the Bennett Farm near Durham Station to discuss the surrender terms of the remaining Confederate armies in the Southeast

After the war when the Cyclorama in Atlanta was being painted, Davis was asked for his ideas having traveled with Sherman's army He was later added to the painting

Theodore Davis was a staff artist at Harper's Weekly

Many of his drawings were published as wood engravings in Harper's Weekly

Theodore R Davis was chosen to create the Haye's China with a chance meeting Mr Davis suggested using flora and fauna of the American decor Mr Davis would come to produce 130 different designs as of animals, plants, and scenic views At the time the cost for the order came out to $3,150 A guest named Clover Adams (a Washington DC Socialite) observed that when she ate at the White House she could hardly eat soup peacefully if she had to watch a coyote leap at her from behind a tree

At one point during the Civil war, Theodore Davis commanded a regiment but resigned because it interfered with his Art While documentation the war he traveled with a British Journalist, stating that he worked for the London illustrated News, but did not A major installment in his career was his documentation of the fight between the Merrimac and the Monitor During the war, Theodore Davis was injured twice, and his horse was shot out under him

Theodore Davis worked with panoramic painters such as Friedrich Wilhelm, and August Lohr on projects He worked alongside the men for larger pieces of artwork

After the Civil War, Theodore Davis spent a short time Illustrating Reconstruction activities in the South and spent time with Generals George Armstrong Custer, and Winfield Scott Hancock during their campaigns against the Indians in the West

Wood Engravings:
Attack on the Enemy's Centre, Near Marietta, Georgia, 1864
Charge of Weaver's Brigade Across the Salkehatchie, 1865
Pictures of the South --Barbecue at Augusta, Georgia, 1866
Andrew Johnson's Impeachment Trial in the Senate, 1868
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