The Mississippi Raft. March 1860. Pencil on paper. Titled to lower margin.

An endearing sketch of a raft along the Mississippi river. From the vantage of a scrubby shore, a log raft dominates the composition. Three pilots at either end ply the waters with long oars, with a seventh man standing at the center near a small fire and tent. Two men wearing hats observe the raft from the shore, while a smaller row boat floats nearby with a fisherman casting his net. The opposite bank is peppered with small buildings including a church with a tall steeple. A large steamer with two tall stacks and a two-story deck is visible deeper in the waters.

An excellent depiction of the commonly used log rafts of the 19th century Mississippi.

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