Part 10 (1/2)

BRIEF SAYINGS OF EMINENT MEN.

SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, } WAs.h.i.+NGTON CITY, _March 20, 1867_. }

Col. J. B. BACHELDER.

SIR:--The picture of ”The Last Hours of Lincoln.” painted by Alonzo Chappel from your design, presents, with remarkable fidelity, the portraits of those in attendance at various times during the night of April 14, 1865, preserving truthfully the princ.i.p.al features of that most sad event.

Very respectfully yours, J. K. BARNES. _Surgeon-General, U.S.A., Brevet Major-General._

It is certainly a work of great interest and merit. I have looked upon it with the liveliest satisfaction on account of its singularly graphic delineation of the actual scene as myself beheld it, and also because the likenesses of most of the distinguished persons presented by the painting seem to me to be very accurate and striking.

P. D. GURLEY. _Pastor of the N. Y. Ave. Pres. Church_

I cheerfully bear testimony to the accuracy of the Portraits of the persons present on that melancholy occasion, and especially that of the martyred President.

W. T. OTTO. _a.s.sistant Secretary of the Interior._

It gives me pleasure to testify to the accuracy with which you have represented the princ.i.p.al features of the scene in question, and to the fidelity of the portraits which you have introduced. You have been especially successful in the likeness of President Lincoln.

JOHN HAY, _Brevet Colonel, formerly A. D. C. to President Lincoln_.

The truthful likeness of President Lincoln, the fidelity of the portraits of those present on that most mournful night, and the excellent grouping of the figures, render this picture peculiarly valuable in an historical point of view, apart from its merits as a work of art.

C. H. CRANE, _a.s.sistant Surgeon-General U. S. Army_.

Without possessing a critical capacity for judgment, I can say, in all sincerity, that the painting as a whole, is faithful to the scene of the death-chamber on that eventful night, and impressively truthful in its portraiture.

D. K. CARTTER, _Chief-Justice_.

The above gentlemen visited President Lincoln during his last hours, and are represented in the painting.

It is admirable as a picture, and of great value for the fidelity of the portraits.