The Historical Art of John Paul Strain
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John Paul Strain - Historical Artist
Historical Paintings

GOLDEN SKY

Generals Robert E. Lee & Stonewall Jackson
Chancellorsville, Virginia - May 1, 1863
Golden Sky
Golden Sky Remarque
Remarques on Artist's Proof Paper Giclée Edition

A distant crack of a Federal sharp-shooter’s rifle was instantly heard, as the bullet whistled past Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, barely missing them. The two commanders made a dash to some nearby woods. It had been a close call, one that easily could have changed the whole course of the war. But this was the risk these brave leaders often faced leading their armies in battle.

Lee and Jackson had been scouting the ground southeast of the Plank road on a small pathway leading to Catherine’s Furnace.

In the early morning of April 27, the Army of the Potomac under the command of General Joseph Hooker had begun an offensive towards the Confederate left, by crossing the Rappahannock river on pontoons. On the 29th, General Stuart dispatched a telegram to Lee reporting that his men had engaged the enemy at Maddens , nine miles from Culpeper. They had captured Federal troops from the V, XI, and XII Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The dispatch also informed Lee that large columns of federal troops were headed for Germanna and Ely’s Ford on the Rapidan River. With this vital information Lee was able to determine General Hooker’s plan was to turn the Confederate left flank. General Lee ordered Stuart to rejoin the main body of the army post haste.

On the 30th, a courier arrived from General Anderson at Chancellorsville, informing Lee the federal force had crossed the Rapidan and was heading his way. Anderson requested reinforcements, and Lee ordered Anderson and his four brigades to dig in.

Hooker’s advance was tentative. When confronted by southern brigades the Federals would stop, retreat and regroup before advancing again. General Lee felt there was something suspicious about the situation, as numerically, General Hooker’s army was far superior than his. In the late evening of May 1st he met up with Jackson near the Plank road to get a better feel of things.

After retreating from the sniper into the woods, Lee and Jackson dismounted and began discussing how best to deal with the invading federal force. They were soon joined by General Stuart in this night conference. Lee had already left part of his army at Fredericksburg to counter any federal moves there. His new plan was to divide his army again sending General Jackson’s Corps on a flanking maneuver at 4am and attack the unsuspecting Federal XI Corps in their camps.

The plan the commanders came up with would lead to one of the greatest victories for the Confederacy, and one of the costliest. General Jackson would be mortally wounded.

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Archival Paper Giclées

200 S/N Paper Giclées - $275
50 Artist's Proof Paper Giclées - $375
Image Size: 24" X 18 1/2"
Paper Giclee


Canvas Giclées

100 S/N Studio Canvas Giclées - $275
15 Artist's Proof Studio Canvas Giclées - $325
Image Size 20 3/4" X 16"

100 S/N Classic Canvas Giclées - $525
15 Artist's Proof Canvas Canvas Giclées - $675
Image Size 27 1/4" X 21"

30 S/N Executive Canvas Giclées - $1200
5 Artist's Proof Executive Canvas Giclées - $1400
Image Size 35" X 27"
Canvas Giclee
Historical Paintings