I have also in progress, the finest Collection of Oil Paintings executed
of any battle in this country. The whole to be known as
"THE GETTYSBURG ART GALLERY."
[Illustration: REPULSE OF LONGSTREET'S CHARGE.]
I have divided the Battle into a series of episodes, beginning with its
commencement and continuing to its close, each to embrace such movements
and operations as of themselves form a complete unit. Of each, I make an
accurate historical design, which design I place in the hands of some
eminent battle-scene painter, who will be responsible for the artistic
rendering of the subject. Each painting is to be 7 x 4 ft., and when
completed, will be exhibited in the places where the regiments
represented in it were raised. The whole, together, will form a most
complete and graphic representation of the Battle from its commencement
to the close. Each of these paintings will be engraved on steel, and
hereafter engravings may be had representing actual scenes, which,
having been designed under the personal direction of the participants
themselves, will possess the merit of historical truth.
It must not be understood that this whole work is to be put in hand at
once. It will be taken up in detail, and continued as rapidly as I have
time and means to attend to it. I shall be happy to correspond with
those interested in any portion of the Battle. When convenient, it will
be better to call a meeting, at Gettysburg, of the officers of the
command to be represented, before commencing a painting, that all the
details may be properly arranged. I have already made a design,
representing the "charge" of the 6th Wisconsin, 95th N. Y., and 14th N.
Y. S. M., on the first day, resulting in the capture of the 2d
Mississippi Regiment, which is now being painted by Alonzo Chappel,
Esq., the eminent historical painter. I have recently met, at
Gettysburg, the officers of the 3d Division, 1st Army Corps, and under
their direction completed a design of their engagement on the afternoon
of the first day, which will also embrace the movements of the 1st
Brigade, 1st Division. This picture is now being painted by the
distinguished battle-scene painter, James Walker, Esq.
Fine Steel Engravings will be published from these paintings. Size
(engraved surface), 12 x 21 in.