Currier & Ives Battle of Fair Oaks, Va. May 31st 1862
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02881.10 Author/Creator: Currier & Ives Place Written: New York, New York Type: Print Date: 1862 Pagination: 1 lithograph : col. ; 30.5 x 40.5 cm. Order a Copy
Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption beneath the title reads: "General McClellan having advanced 'The Army of the Potomac' to near Richmond, the Rebels took advantage of a terrible storm which had flooded the Valley of the Chickahominy, and at 10'Clock P.M. attacked the advanced lines on the right bank of the river, and succeeded in forcing them back, but Generals Heintzelman & Kearney gallantly brought up their troops and checked the enemy, while Genl. Sumner by great exertions succeeded in bringing across the river, Genls. Sedgwicks and Richardson's divisions; when the Rebels were driven back at the point of the bayonet, leaving over 1200 of their dead on the field. The next morning (June 1st) they attempted to renew the conflict but were at every point repulsed with great slaughter." Depicts endless columns of troops, Union soldiers in blue while Confederates are in green, in close combat. Musket smoke fills the air while dead and wounded soldiers are strewn about the foreground. No blood is shown anywhere. A hot air balloon overlooks the battle at the upper left of the lithograph.
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