Julian Scott
Encyclopedia
Julian A. Scott he was born in Johnson, Vermont, and served as a Union Army
drummer during the American Civil War
where he received America's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor
for his actions at the Battle of Lee's Mills; he was also an American
painter and Civil War
artist.
During the American Civil War
Julian's elder brother, Lucian, served with the 4th Regiment of the U.S. Artillery, was wounded at the Battle of Ball's Bluff
, was taken prisoner in December 1864, and almost died at Libby Prison
of starvation. Julian's younger brother, Charlie, enlisted at age 13 and became a bugler. After the war Charlie moved to Missouri, then to Boston, were he became a physican. His brother Percy became an attorney in Illinois.
Julian married and had one daughter but he and his wife separated.
where the main gallery is named in his memory. Scott continued his studies graduating from the National Academy of Design
in New York
and subsequently studied under Emmanuel Leutze until 1868. During the Civil War, Scott enlisted in the 3rd Vermont Infantry
on June 1, 1861, at the age of 15 as a fifer and in February 1865, received the Medal of Honor
for rescuing wounded under enemy fire during the Battle at Lee's Mills, Virginia
.
When the war was over he traveled to Paris
and Stuttgart
to continue his education. Scott's 1872 masterwork, the 'Battle of Cedar Creek," is located at the Vermont State House
. The painting illustrates the contributions of his home state of Vermont in the American Civil War In 1890, and is significant for its absence of glorification of war and instead shows the suffering and human sacrifice associated with war making. Scott traveled west as part of a census
party, painting Native Americans
in New Mexico
, Arizona
and Oklahoma
. Many of his works from this expedition now hang in the University of Pennsylvania
Museum of Art.
Scott was interred in Hillside Cemetery located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey
.
Rank and Organization:
Citation:
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
drummer during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
where he received America's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions at the Battle of Lee's Mills; he was also an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter and Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
artist.
Family
Julian was the fourth child, of eight, born to Charles Scott (born 1815), a clockmaker, and his wife Lucy Kellum (1821-26 April 1855). Julian's siblings were Cleora (born 1841), Lucian (1843-19 July 1894), Alice (1844–1846), Julia (born 1847), Charlie (born 1849), H. Percy (born 1851) and George (26 April 1855-27 December 1863). Lucy Scott died in childbirth and Charles Scott remarried, in 1860, to Susan Pollard.During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Julian's elder brother, Lucian, served with the 4th Regiment of the U.S. Artillery, was wounded at the Battle of Ball's Bluff
Battle of Ball's Bluff
The Battle of Ball's Bluff, also known as the Battle of Harrison’s Island or the Battle of Leesburg, was fought on October 21, 1861, in Loudoun County, Virginia, as part of Union Maj. Gen. George B...
, was taken prisoner in December 1864, and almost died at Libby Prison
Libby Prison
Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the harsh conditions under which prisoners from the Union Army were kept.- Overview :...
of starvation. Julian's younger brother, Charlie, enlisted at age 13 and became a bugler. After the war Charlie moved to Missouri, then to Boston, were he became a physican. His brother Percy became an attorney in Illinois.
Julian married and had one daughter but he and his wife separated.
Biography
Scott received his youthful education at the Lamoille Academy, known today as Johnson State CollegeJohnson State College
Johnson State College is a small public liberal arts college, founded in 1828 by John Chesamore at Johnson in the U.S. state of Vermont. Johnson's president is Barbara E. Murphy and its board chair is Gary M. Moore.- History and governance :...
where the main gallery is named in his memory. Scott continued his studies graduating from the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and subsequently studied under Emmanuel Leutze until 1868. During the Civil War, Scott enlisted in the 3rd Vermont Infantry
3rd Vermont Infantry
The 3rd Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a three-years infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the eastern theater, predominantly in the VI Corps, Army of the Potomac, from July 1861 to July 1865...
on June 1, 1861, at the age of 15 as a fifer and in February 1865, received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for rescuing wounded under enemy fire during the Battle at Lee's Mills, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
When the war was over he traveled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
to continue his education. Scott's 1872 masterwork, the 'Battle of Cedar Creek," is located at the Vermont State House
Vermont State House
The Vermont State House, located in Montpelier, is the state capitol of Vermont and the seat of the Vermont General Assembly. The current Greek Revival structure is the third building on the same site to be used as the State House...
. The painting illustrates the contributions of his home state of Vermont in the American Civil War In 1890, and is significant for its absence of glorification of war and instead shows the suffering and human sacrifice associated with war making. Scott traveled west as part of a census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
party, painting Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. Many of his works from this expedition now hang in the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
Museum of Art.
Scott was interred in Hillside Cemetery located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
.
Notable paintings
- "Rear-Guard at White Oak Swamp" (1869–1870);
- "Battle of Golding's Farm" (1871);
- "Battle of Cedar Creek" (1871–1872);
- "The Recall" (1872);
- "On Board the Hartford" (1874);
- "Old Records" (1875);
- "Duel of Burr and Hamilton" (1876);
- "Reserves awaiting Orders" (1877);
- "In the Cornfield at Antietam " (1879);
- "Charge at Petersburg" (1882);
- "The War is Over" (1885);
- "The Blue and the Gray" (1886);
- "Portrait of George B. McClellanGeorge B. McClellanGeorge Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
" (1888).
Medal of Honor citation
- Drummer, Company E, 3d Vermont Infantry. Place and date. At Lees Mills, Va., April 16, 1862. Entered service at. Johnson, Vt. Birth: Johnson, Vt. Date of issue: February 1865.
Citation:
- Crossed the creek under a terrific fire of musketry several times to assist in bringing off the wounded.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Q–S
Further reading
- Titterton, Robert J. (1997). Julian Scott: artist of the Civil War and native America: with 97 illustrations. Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co.