Trumbull’s father, who had used his weight to get Trumbull late admission to Harvard once again used his influence on behalf of his youngest son when the Revolutionary War began. The elder Trumbull made sure that he was given duties in the Continental Army where he would generally not be in direct combat. Trumbull was tasked with making detailed maps, instead. This was a skill he learned at Harvard and foreshadowed his future artistic genius in the eye for details that map making requires. He was so adept at this that he was soon promoted to be an aid in General Washington’s camp. He was technically the second aide to Washington, but this was an honor that Trumbull would take pride in for the rest of his life, even if it only lasted nineteen days.
JOHN TRUMBULL, SELF PORTRAIT, 1777. UNITED STATES.
Trumbull’s days in the army during the Revolutionary War secured his ambition to be a history painter. He saw battles, surrenders, encampments, and victories during the war, each sparking his creative energy to record all that he saw. However, while the war still raged, Trumbull resigned from the army quickly and unexpectedly. The reason why exemplifies Trumbull’s quick temper, hot pride, and unwavering sense of propriety. He was awarded the commission of Colonel, but his commission came days after other less worthy soldiers, in Trumbull’s estimation, received theirs and was dated three months after which Trumbull concluded his commission should have been awarded. His pride, which was often an impediment for Trumbull, could not get over this blow, and so he resigned. Trumbull ended his letter of resignation with a flourish stating, “From this day, therefore, I lay aside my cockade and sword with the fixed determination never to resume them until I can do it with honor.” There were letters after this asking Trumbull if he would reconsider, but he could not bring himself to do so. His ego was not sufficiently hurt so he would not retain the title of Colonel, though. He would go by the name Col. John Trumbull for the rest of his life.
Brookhiser, Richard. Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution.
Sizer, Theodore. “The Autobiography of Colonel John Trumbull, Patriot-Artist.”
