THE VOLUNTEER

"What captured my imagination was comparing the time of the Civil War with today. Portrayed here is Jerry Hilliard, an artist and Civil War buff who recreated this entire outfit, even the canteen. While his poncho is made of modern material, it does resemble the 'gum blanket' issued to Union troops. This is the work of a craftsman recapturing history and I think the burly bearded Hillard himself looks like a Union volunteer from Pennsylvania. Our accoutrements may have changed over the last 150 years, but we're still the same people who will work hard, even die, for an idea."