Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912 Gen'l Stuart's raid to the White House

GLC00493.21

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GLC#
GLC00493.21-View header record
Type
Images
Date
circa 1880-1890
Author/Creator
Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912
Title
Gen'l Stuart's raid to the White House
Place Written
s.l.
Pagination
1 etching : b&w Height: 26.1 cm, Width: 34.6 cm
Primary time period
Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

Depicts Confederate cavalrymen under the command of General J.E.B. Stuart descending upon the Federal line only to find one Hezekiah Skinflint, a sutler who had provided provisions, in this case "ale and lager," to the soldiers. Many Southerners held stereotypes against the free-market North, and Volck buys into that by giving the sutler a name that means selfish and miserly. A bewildered Skinflint is being taken into custody at gunpoint, his supplies confiscated. The long line of covered wagons stretching into the distance suggests that many other supplies were taken in this raid of the Union line. The United States flag atop the building is being pulled down by one of the Confederate soldiers. The "White House" to which Volck refers in the title of this etching is a building used as General George McClellan's headquarters during the Peninsula Campaign. In 1862 Stuart rode from Richmond all the way around the Federal forces, including McClellan's headquarters. Size in extent is for the mount. The actual size of the etching is 20.2 x 26.4 cm. Title in pencil on verso.

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