History of the Fife Pitcairns

448 THE FIFE PITCAIRNS.
Mrs Pitcairn Campbell has in her possession the
buttons off Major Pitcairn's coat which he was wearing
in the battle, and the bullet which caused his death.
A picture was painted about fifty years ago by Mr Sand-
ham, the American artist, of the battle of Lexington, and
he has chosen the moment when Major Pitcairn was wav-
ing on his men. The following is a description of the
picture : —
Description of the Picture of the Battle
of Lexington.
Artist, Mr Henry Sandham.
The artist has an established reputation, and has spared neither
pains nor expense in making himself familiar with all the facts
necessary for so great an undertaking. He has studied our Com-
mon and its surroundings at sunrise in the middle of April ; he
has made careful measurements and sketches ; he has kept before
him the law of perspective ; he has had well-selected models for
every figure in the painting ; he has visited England and examined
the uniforms worn by the Royal troops in 1775 — thus doing more
than was ever before attempted to secure historical and topographi-
cal accuracy as the groundwork of his design.
Mr Sandham has chosen the moment when Pitcairn, exasperated
by the refusal of the patriots to throw down their arms and dis-
perse, turns in his saddle and commands the troops to fire. The
farmer in the foreground, with arm upraised, represents the deter-
mined attitude of the Colonies at that time. The aged man hold-
ing his gun with both hands is a type of the sturdy fathers of New
England. The young man in his death-throe is raising his arms as
if making an appeal to Heaven. The sympathy and horror of
others as they see their neighbours shot down by their side ; the
unyielding courage of those who in defence of their rights are re-
turning the fire ; and the individuality of the militiamen, as com-
pared with the line of disciplined troops — are intensely significant
of the character and meaning of the event. The cool morning
light breaking upon the meeting-house ; the waning candle in the
tavern window ; and the smoke of the volley creeping along the
ground — are features of artistic merit which add a peculiar charm
to the composition.
Major John Pitcairn left five sons and four daughters.
Of Dr David Pitcairn, his eldest son, we will speak later
on. His second son, Colonel Thomas Pitcairn, was with