"The Army of the Potomac" Civil War-Era Lithograph by John Bachelder, Circa 1863

Fully-entitled: "The Army of the Potomac. The Wagon Trains of the Army of the Potomac en Route from Chickahominy to James River VA. During the Seven Days Fight. (Fording Bear Creek One Mile below Savage Station.) June 29th 1862"

An excellent Civil War print by John B. Bachelder, showing the Army of the Potomac crossing Bear Creek, on June 29th, 1862, with wonderful realism and detail. John Bachelder (1825-1894) was a highly esteemed artist of the period, who was known to have spent considerable time during the Civil War in the field, making on-the-spot sketches. This print is clearly based on such sketches and is an excellent representation of a battle scene.

In the print, the huge baggage train of the Army stretches off in many columns into the distance, where a dust cloud arises on the horizon. Once the river is reached, Bachelder depicts the difficulties of crossing with the wagons. In the foreground, the soldiers that have made it to the other side are seen lounging under trees, sitting around campfires, and generally setting up camp to wait for the rest of the Army. Harry T. Peters, in America on Stone, calls this "a rare and fine print." It is indeed a wonderful look at non-battle life in the Union Army.

General John Caldwell wrote in early 1863: "At Fair Oaks, Virginia, I frequently met Mr. Bachelder, at that time making sketches of various phases of the Battle of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. Several of the sketches were shown to me, and I think them by far the most accurate of any I have ever seen."

CONDITION:

Good condition. Black and white, as issued. Minor staining and discoloration in margins. Print Size: 17"H x 27"W.

Print has been archivally presented in a custom-built frame. Framed Dimensions: 29 ½” H x 37 ½” W x 1" D