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Gen. William Sprague. Governor of Rhode Island.

Dateprobably 1861

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 12 7/16 x 9 1/16in. (31.6 x 23cm)
Sheet (height x width): 15 x 10 7/8in. (38.1 x 27.6cm)

Credit LineGift of Samuel St. John Morgan

DescriptionEquestrian portrait of a young man in military uniform, including epaulets, gloves, belt, and sword. He has a mustache. He is mounted on a horse equipped with a bridle, saddle, and saddle blanket with a star on it. Two other soldiers on horseback are in the right background.

Object number1950.115.0

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "GEN. WILLIAM SPRAGUE. / GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND."

On verso, inscribed in pencil: upper center, "768"; lower right, "consv CPC 1987" "Dwr 6" and accession number.NotesSubject Note: William Sprague (1799-1856) was governor of Rhode Island from May 1838 to May 1839 and also served as a Congressman. He accompanied the Rhode Island militia to Washington, D.C. and fought in the Battle of Bull Run, where he had his horse shot out from under him. He was offered a commission as Brigadier General on 9 August 1861, but turned it down. This lithograph probably alludes to his service at the Battle of Bull Run.

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