[ Autographs ] CIVIL WAR SOLDIER'S ART GROUPING A very well-executed grouping of three Union soldier's drawings in pen and ink and accented by pencil, undertaken by Alfred. D. Whitehouse of the 8th New York Infantry while camped on the grounds of Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's ancestral home, in June of 1861. A sign-painter before the war, Whitehouse was a fairly good artist and highly observant, and hisdrawings provide many insights into the nature of his surroundings. The first sketch, a pen and ink panorama of his entire unit's camp at Arlington, measures 15.5in x 5", and depicts a large groups of soldiers before a number of army tents. The men are engaged in variousforms of drill, with groups of infantry, cavalry, and even the camp dog in evidence. The cut of the uniforms show the men to still be in their state militia uniforms. The second drawing, measuring 7 .5in" x 5.5in on blue lined paper, is identified as depicting Whitehouse's personal tent at Arlington Heights, and shows the interior with laundry hanging, knapsacks with his unit number on them, and a stand of arms. On the verso of the drawing is the conclusion of a letter signed with Whitehouses' initials, in which he explains the drawing. The last image, about 9"x 5" on cream colored paper, is identified as "Arlington House...The Camp Ground of the 8th Regt. N.Y.S.T., June 26,1861", and is signed by Whitehouse at the lower left margin. This drawing, which is a fair representation of the Lee family home, shows the American Flag flying outside, soldiers standing guard, and telegraph wires going into the front door. Of course, the pristine grounds drawn by Whitehead would eventually assume quite a different character, as they are now the location of Arlington National Cemetery Evidently Whitehouse's artistic career would be limited, for the museum display plaques with the pieces indicate that several weeks after these drawings were executed, Whitehouse received a minie ball below the elbow at the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and the extent of the wound required his arm to be amputated. All of the drawings are framed and in very good condition.