A Life of Brush and Blade
Samuel Woodson Price lived a life defined by sharp contrasts, moving between the quiet precision of the studio and the chaotic front lines of the American Civil War. Born near Nicholasville, Kentucky, in 1828, he displayed an early aptitude for the visual arts that was almost precocious. By the age of fourteen, he had already established a small studio within a local hotel. This early start in Kentucky led him through formal studies with William Reading in Louisville and Oliver Frazer in Lexington, eventually bringing him to the School of Design in New York City in 1849.
His artistic development was marked by a steady pursuit of technical skill. He traveled extensively through Kentucky and Tennessee during the 1850s, finding work as a portraitist for prominent citizens. His talent was such that he even served as an instructor to others, including the notable Thomas Satterwhite Noble. While his hands were often stained with pigment, his life took a sudden, more martial turn with the outbreak of war.
The Soldier and the Scholar
When the Civil War began, Price did not merely observe history; he participated in its most violent chapters. Joining the Union cause, he rose through the ranks of the 21st Kentucky Infantry Regiment from corporal to colonel. His leadership was tested at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in 1864, where his regiment held critical positions under heavy fire. The physical toll of this service was significant, as a wound sustained during that battle eventually led to a period of recovery and a transition to post command in Lexington.
The conflict shaped his later years as much as it did his character. Even after receiving the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general, Price found himself navigating the complexities of post-war life. He served as the postmaster of Lexington under President Grant, a position that allowed him to continue painting on the upper floors of the post office building. His interests extended beyond the canvas into the written word, as he authored histories and biographical sketches that documented the very regiments he once commanded.
The Fading Light
The final decades of Price's life were marked by a profound physical struggle. In 1880, he lost vision in one eye, and by 1881, total blindness had overtaken him. This loss of sight might have ended the career of many, yet Price found ways to remain connected to his history through dictation. He recorded the history of the 21st Kentucky Infantry in 1882, ensuring that the details of his service and those of his men were not lost to time.
He moved eventually to St. Louis, Missouri, where he passed away on January 22, 1918. His life remains a record of a specific American era, captured through both the portraits he painted of generals like Sherman and Rosecrans and the military service that defined his middle years. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, a final resting place fitting for a man who had lived so fully in the service of his country.
Q&A
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