[Chapman] Alfred, 1828-1874. Attributed works :Position occupied by the natives on the 19th July at St Johns Wood. Sketch by A Steelpen Esq.r, Wanganui. 24 August 1847. Artist unknown. G[enera]l H en route via San Francisco to Coromandel. 1872

Upper view: A path leading between two bush-clad hills, with bush on the plain in the foreground, the Whanganui River on the left in the distance. Drawing signed by A. Steelpen, the pseudonym of Alfred Chapman.On the back a lengthy text detailing the battle tactics signed Alfred Steelpen, dated 24 August 1847.

Lower view: A cartoon showing gold-miners en route to the Coromandel gold fields in the 1860s 'From General William Henshaw [?] - son - June 1872'.

Alfred Chapman used the pseudonym 'Alfred Steelpen' in 1854 when he compiled a humorous account 'Illustrated diary or life in the bush New Zealand' a manuscript held by Hawkes Bay Cultural Centre. He is not known to have arrived in New Zealand before his arrival from England in 1849 aboard the ship Cornwall. He may have been in the army before this date. The handwriting on the back appears to match his

Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - title and attribution to 'A Steelpen'. On the verso handwritten text starts as follows, possibly in the hand of Richard Taylor: The natives occupied both hills. There are breastworks both sides of the road, at the foot of the Hills; & 5 breastwo[rks] on the crest of the lower hill, & on the crest of the high[er]. ... [Signed] Alfred Steelpen. Camp Follower. Wanganui, 24 August 1847

Quantity: 1 drawing(s).

Physical Description: Pen and ink on wove paper glued to album page, image 144 x 168 mm