General Robert E. Lee, Front Royal, Va., July 22, 1863
Classic Edition 18” x 33”
50 Signed and Numbered
From the original painting "The Autograph Seekers" by Mort Kunstler.
For three bloody days in July of 1863, the Army of Northern Virginia battled the Army of the Potomac in the rocky hills and wheat fields of Adams County in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This engagement marked a significant turn in the Civil War; many historians refer to this as the high water mark of the Confederacy. After failing to gain the high ground on any front, the rebels suffered nearly 28,000 casualties, approximately one third of their entire army. On July 4th, the remainder of Lee’s ranks began an excruciating retreat back toward the Potomac River and Virginia. The Confederate wagon train of wounded men stretched for nearly 17 miles. Adding to their misery were harsh weather, treacherous roads and periodic harassing from the Federal cavalry. Fortunately, the victorious Union Army, commanded by General George G. Meade, failed to launch a significant attack on the limping Confederates, who managed to cross the river back into the Old Dominion on the night of July 13th. By July 22nd, Lee’s army had reached Front Royal and began to cross the Shenandoah River on pontoon bridges.
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