on the afternoon of the third day, which will be exhibited in the
principal cities of the country. This is also from my historical design,
and has been painted under my immediate direction. Mr. Walker spent
weeks at Gettysburg, transcribing the portraiture of the field to
canvas, which has been done in the most pleasing and lifelike manner. We
have received in this matter the kindest support and co-operation of the
officers of the army, engaged on that portion of the field.
Many distinguished general officers, on my invitation, visited
Gettysburg, and went over the field with us, and pointed out all the
details of this great turning point of the Rebellion; each explaining
the movements of their several commands. Among those present at
different times, were Generals Meade, Hancock, Gibbon, Howard,
Doubleday, Stannard, Hunt, Warren, Humphreys, Graham, Burling, De
Trobriand, Wistar, and Dana; together with a large number of Field,
Line, and Staff-Officers. Most of these gentlemen have since kindly
called at Mr. Walker's studio, and aided the work with their advice.
Many others, who were unable to meet with us at Gettysburg, have, at
considerable trouble, visited the studio in New York; among them,
Generals Webb, Hall, Newton, Hazard, Sickles, Ward, Brewster, Berdan,
and Gates, and Generals Wilcox and Longstreet, of the Confederate Army;
the latter taking great interest in the painting, and leaving me a fine
letter indorsing its accuracy. This painting has been designed
_strictly_ in conformity to the directions of these gentlemen, given on
the field for that purpose, and from the Reports of the Confederate
Commanders, furnished to me by the Government.
This great representative Battle-scene has not its equal in America, for
correctness of design or accuracy of execution. Gibbon's and Hays's
Divisions and the Corps Artillery, occupy the immediate foreground. It
is on a canvas 7-1/2 x 20 feet, and represents, not only every Regiment
engaged at that portion of the field, but where the formation of the
ground would admit, the entire left wing is shown.
It presents such an accurate and lifelike portrait of the country, that
on it the movements of the first and second day's operations can readily
be traced. No important scene has been screened behind large foreground
figures, or, for the want of a knowledge of the details, hidden by
convenient puffs of smoke; but every feature of this gigantic struggle
has, in its proper place, been woven into a symmetrical whole.
A fine steel plate is also to be engraved of this picture, which will be
accompanied by a _Key_, by which the position of every Regiment and
Battery can be determined.