February, 2012 — The Civil War

A multi-talented man and his family lived in the house behind our house when I was growing up. Our families were so close that a gate was installed between our two back yards so we could come and go freely between houses.

The man’s name was Fred V. “Buster” Scott. Among other things, he was a Marine in World War II (fought in the South Pacific), a polio survivor, a Tennessee Highway Patrolman, a Boy Scout leader, and a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. He will be especially remembered for his detailed paintings of the Civil War.

Buster’s Civil War paintings form a 19-panel painting that specifically commemorates Civil War battles in Tennessee. When they are lined up end-to-end, they create a U-shaped, panoramic view of the entire state and its bloodiest era. Four panels are devoted to the two-day-long Battle of Shiloh in southwestern Tennessee. 

The panels are large; some of the panels measure over four feet in width. The paintings are also quite detailed; some show hundreds of soldiers. Buster made some of his paint brushes, which consisted of only a few hairs.  

His son Kenny, I mean, Ken (he’s all grown up now) sets up Buster’s Civil War paintings for the public to view. Peter and I finally got to see them in February. My description does not do them justice. It’s one of those things you have to see to appreciate. Totally phenomenal.

Here’s one of the paintings, which shows the Battle of Murfreesboro in middle Tennessee: 

In addition to the panoramic panels, Buster did other Civil War paintings. Here is Ken explaining a painting of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a controversial man in history, but one who was nevertheless part of Tennessee’s Civil War era:

Here is Ken with me:

Funny side fact: I was his babysitter when he was a little kid. No, I don’t feel old at all.