SOUTHERN DETERMINATION
Oil on Paper 8 x 10"
$200
Oil on Paper 8 x 10"
$200
Private John W. Pirtle, Company E, 23rd Tennessee Infantry
A 28-year-old farmer from Warren County, Tennessee, John Pirtle joined Company E, 23rd Tennessee Infantry, in August 1861. Dressed here in a civilian frock coat, wearing an out-moded “US” belt buckle and white buff belt, and carrying an ancient flintlock musket, Pirtle was wounded severely in the thigh at the battle of Stones River in early January, 1863, but recovered and returned to his outfit, rising to the rank of Corporal. Transferred east with his regiment, Pirtle was again wounded in the right hand at Drewey’s Bluff in May, 1864, and again returned to the fighting, only to be captured at Hatcher’s Run five days before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. He returned home, fathered six children, and died in peace on June 24, 1899.
- P. Russinoff Collection