[Wyoming]

Pencil and ink drawing (8 1/8 x 11 in.: 208 x 279 mm), single sheet of heavy gauge paper, titled at bottom “Ft. Russell.| from the South”, signed and dated lower right “A.F. Alden, Del.| Aug. 1869”. 

Very faint soiling not affecting image, three small rectangular marks at top margin (possibly where bound).

ORIGINAL DRAWING OF A KEY WESTERN MILITARY POST.A beautifully-executed ink and wash drawing of Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming Territory, near present-day Cheyenne. Fort Russell was established in 1867 to protect workers building the Union Pacific Railroad, and was named in honor of David Allen Russell, a Civil War general killed at the Battle of Opequon. The post remained a key fort throughout the various conflicts with the Sioux, Cheyenne, and other tribes of the region over the decade after its establishment. The artist is unnamed, but likely a soldier recording in great detail his post.