Crew of U.S. Steamsloop "Colorado," Shipped at Boston, June 1861 (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. 5, p. 439)

This comes from a group of wood engravings Homer drew for "Harper's Weekly," some of which he did not sign. In 1861 Harper's hired the artist full-time to sketch Civil War subjects and he traveied to Washington DC and the front, also finding material in his native Massachusetts. Here he shows a group of sailors standing on a wooden dock. Related text describes this as: "a truthful picture of the crew of the United States steam frigate Colorado, which has lately sailed from Boston to join the blockading fleet. The men were all recruited and shipped at Boston, and we understand that an unusual proportion of them are American. Their physique goes to show that the race has not degenerated in that part of the country, and when occasion offers they will do full justice to the reputation which our gallant tars have won in many a fight and on many a sea."