James William Pattison, Artist in the 57th Massachusetts Infantry

James William Pattison, born in Boston in 1844, enlisted in the 57th Massachusetts Infantry and served from  April 1864 until August 1865. He listed his occupation as "artist" at the time of enlistment. The 57th Massachusetts were with Ledlie's Division, 9th Army Corps at Petersburg. He contributed several drawings to Harper's Weekly. Pattison was a prolific artist, teacher, and writer after the Civil War until his death in 1915 in Asheville, North Carolina.

"[Battery and encampment in clearing] Fort in an area where trees haven been cut down, but remain on the ground," drawing by James William Pattison [DRWG/US - Pattison, no. 1 (B size)] This drawing in the Library of Congress collection provides one of the more accurate depictions of a slashing captured by a front line artist.

Harper's Ferry woodcut from a J. W. Pattison drawing entitled "Before Petersburg--a View on the Weldon Railroad," November 26, 1864.