Remarques on Artist's Proof Paper Giclée Edition

The beautiful little town of Fredericksburg was nestled alongside the Rappahannock River. The town was settled before the end of the seventeenth century, and had a rich history, with prominent patriots of the Revolutionary War building fine mansions and great homes overlooking the river. George Washington had spent his youth not far from the city, and young Robert E. Lee spent time as a boy visiting the quaint town. The town was indeed a jewel of Virginia.

But now the town was threatened with complete destruction by the invading Federal army under the command of General Ambrose Burnside. General Robert E. Lee had just arrived at the city when a letter was received from General E.V. Sumner commanding the Right Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, demanding the complete surrender of Fredericksburg, on the grounds that businesses and factories had been used to supply the Army of Northern Virginia. The letter warned that if his demands were not met by 5 P.M. that same day, an artillery barrage to destroy the city would begin at 9 A.M. the following morning on the 22nd of November. General Lee immediately responded, advising the Union General it was not possible within the time frame given, to evacuate the civilian population. Lee, in an effort to save Fredericksburg from destruction, agreed that his soldiers would not occupy the town or use its factories. The statement seemed to mollify the Federals and the deadline was cancelled. But Lee knew it was just a matter of time before the Federals attacked, and he ordered the evacuation of the town. Now came the enormous challenge of defending against the 114,000 man Army of the Potomac.

November 29th brought a severe snow storm to Fredericksburg and the surrounding countryside. General JEB Stuart and his cavalry kept a close watch on the Federal preparations for battle across the Rappahannock River. A line of Stuart’s scouts extended along the river twenty miles below and thirty miles above to give warning of any Federal flanking maneuver. General Stuart “The Eyes of the Army” would ride to the front lines every day to see for himself what the enemy was about. Stuart would then report his findings and opinions to General Lee as to the best course of action to meet the threat. After one of General Longstreet’s gunners watched General Stuart ride by and then later Stonewall Jackson, he wrote home saying “Old Jackson is poking his nose around here, so you can look out for a squall soon!”

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