James Walker painting

[Rhett Butler]

Hi there,
I launched a previous thread on the cyclorama which attracted some interest and great (plus helpful!) comments. There is a second painting which has over the years fascinated me. I should add that I have seen Gettysburg "in the flesh" and that is reality but other peoples take on this most memorable of battles always interests. I am writing about the James Walker painting which presents the Confederate attack along the Chambersburg pike on the 1st July. I love the portrayal of battle lines and geographical features such as the railroad cut and the distant Round Tops and Cemetry Hill. The uniform details are okay as well- I could nitpick but the painting is too good for that.
So here are the queries-
1 on my visits to Gettysburg I could not find a spot on the Chambersburg pike which would allow the same view as James Walker illustrates- the railroad cut yes but not the Roundtops or Cemetry Hill or even the ridge for that matter (okay I know it was hardly a ridge)
2 the Confederate battlelines look almost Napoleonic or even Seven Years War in the painting- is this really accurate? My reading of various battles in the War does suggest battlelines but flexible and perhaps in a loose order (to minimise casualties and cover terrain).
I am not being critical for its own sake and I do like all the James Walker paintings of the War but I would like to know what folk think about this particular painting.
If you have never seen it , it can be found on Google .
Looking forward to any comments.

 

[RedRover]

I believe you are referring to this work:

1 on my visits to Gettysburg I could not find a spot on the Chambersburg pike which would allow the same view as James Walker illustrates- the railroad cut yes but not the Roundtops or Cemetry Hill or even the ridge for that matter (okay I know it was hardly a ridge)

I think that Walker's point of view is rather elevated above the scene. Seems to be the only way to illustrate the town, and the round tops, and orient the viewer.

Here's a view down the same direction from road-height:

Here's an elevated view, the R.R. cut at left, etc.

2 the Confederate battlelines look almost Napoleonic or even Seven Years War in the painting- is this really accurate? My reading of various battles in the War does suggest battlelines but flexible and perhaps in a loose order (to minimise casualties and cover terrain).

The battle lines are certainly highly stylized.

For just one example, in Lee's army each regiment had a battle-flag (regiments mustering in the field anywhere from a couple hundred, to several hundred men). In a line of battle, there should be a gap or interval between each regiment to allow for maneuvering, etc.

Confederate veteran Allen C. Redwood illustrated a Confederate attack at Gettysburg's first day like this:

Walker also painted this less well known painting of the repulse of Pickett's charge:

 

[7thWisconsin]

I love James Walker - he´s one of my favorite 19th century American painters. I think you´ve pretty much indicated his PoV for the painting. I´ve loved this painting ever since I was a kid. There are several details that you have to take with a grain of salt, though. Those khaki tan, nearly identical uniforms... and the ubiquitous red blankets. They show up in Walker´s Mexican War paintings too; I suspect he saw some somewhere sometime and decided that he liked the splash of color they provide. The Federal soliders in the foreground with the red trousers are supposed to represent the 14th Brooklyn, who were in that general area. The uniform isn´t right, but it´s a nice tip of the hat. The Federal soldier reaching for the flag is from one of Roy Stone´s Bucktail regiments, but he doesn´t have a bucktail on his hat. I don´t care - I love the energy and motion Walker paints. His Repulse of Longstreet´s Assault is a favorite, too. I love the jewel-like quality of the painting and the sheer massive number of figures he packs onto the canvas. It´s fun to take a guide to personalities and a good copy and look for everyone.

 

[RedRover]

I think that perhaps Walker was given a general description of a dingy color among the Confederate ranks... which he chose to depict as seen in the painting...

I seem to recall a general description of Lee's troops at Gettysburg, by a federal soldier, that they presented something like the color of "ripe wheat."

Fremantle, noted:

Walker shows them more or less in this condition in his painting... at least in the closeups showing chaps in gray or brownish, but all dingy shaded, clothes:

P.F. Rothermel generally depicted the rebs in the drab-grey dress generally too:

Edwin Forbes witnessed and sketched the mass of prisoners scooped into the federal lines after Pickett's charge.

Of the above crowd, which Forbes saw first-hand, and probably used to model his later color paintings above, he noted:

In his later paintings, he generally colored the "dingy" ranks of the rebs as follows:

In the cyclorama, the French artists depicted them individually in a mixed bag of colors, much like Fremantle and Forbes described:

But the overall effect still a dingy color..., not much different from Walker's:

 

[dennmorr]

Walker's painting was featured in the American Heritage book that my mom bought for me in 1960 (I was 8) The expansive view has stuck with me and probably colors my approach to my work.
Dennis

 

[MAJOR DUNDEE]

I love this painting, two interesting facts appears here, these two Union soldiers are still fighting, beyond the Confederate's line...the small soldier (maybe he is a drummer boy) seems to have kicked in the face a much taller soldier (the bearbed one in white shirt), or maybe he reashes to catch back his stolen flag (?).

Anyway, this reminds me to show there one of my drawings, wich will be soon finished, you might notice there my own choice of colours for the Confederate's uniforms...which is unformal in fact , it depends on the pencils I've got at the moment , I often use a "Tombow" dual brush, which is perfect to figure the "confederate butternut".
I always do them mismatched , the most elegant ones beeing the officers usually.

 

[Rhett Butler]

I believe you are referring to this work:
View attachment 488047



I think that Walker's point of view is rather elevated above the scene. Seems to be the only way to illustrate the town, and the round tops, and orient the viewer.

Here's a view down the same direction from road-height:
View attachment 488046

Here's an elevated view, the R.R. cut at left, etc.

View attachment 488050



The battle lines are certainly highly stylized.

View attachment 488027

For just one example, in Lee's army each regiment had a battle-flag (regiments mustering in the field anywhere from a couple hundred, to several hundred men). In a line of battle, there should be a gap or interval between each regiment to allow for maneuvering, etc.

Confederate veteran Allen C. Redwood illustrated a Confederate attack at Gettysburg's first day like this:

View attachment 488048



Walker also painted this less well known painting of the repulse of Pickett's charge:

View attachment 488049

Thank you for the photos and pictures! The elevated view certainly does mirror closely the general terrain features presented in James Walkers painting. Certainly from ground level the view is completely different. The A C Redwood (I didn't realise he was a CSA vet) illustration conveys the confusion and haphazard nature of a close range Civil War firefight as I imagined it to be. The tight linear formations and large assault columns so prevalent in 18th and 19th century European warfare do not really represent what took place on Civil War battlefields. Looks good in the painting though!

 

[Rhett Butler]

I love this painting, two interesting facts appears here, these two Union soldiers are still fighting, beyond the Confederate's line...the small soldier (maybe he is a drummer boy) seems to have kicked in the face a much taller soldier (the bearbed one in white shirt), or maybe he reashes to catch back his stolen flag (?).

Anyway, this reminds me to show there one of my drawings, wich will be soon finished, you might notice there my own choice of colours for the Confederate's uniforms...which is unformal in fact , it depends on the pencils I've got at the moment , I often use a "Tombow" dual brush, which is perfect to figure the "confederate butternut".
I always do them mismatched , the most elegant ones beeing the officers usually.

This aspect of the painting does stand out- more personalised action (unlike the massed ranks shown on either flank). I always assumed the "small soldier" was a drummer boy and that he had indeed tackled the Reb to his front. Another aspect of interest is that some of the Union casualties are wearing red trousers. Zouaves maybe? Although the cut of the cloth does not really match usual zouave uniform illustrations (or photos!). The only zouaves that were in this vicinity at that time was the Brooklyn regiment (14thNY I think).
Look forward to seeing your illustration- the colour "butternut" covers a multitude of different shades!

 

[7thWisconsin]

Yes, the red trousered soldiers are 14th Brooklyn. The vignette with the smal soldier reaching for the flag is semi-historical. The 149th PA (I believe) had planted their flag a few yards in advance of their line and fell back to the reverse slope of the slight hill. When the Confederates came down the pike, the flag was grabbed and there was a fistfight over it, which the Bucktails lost.
Walker loved his overcoat carriers, too. How many Confederates does he include wearing them?
Another nice detail: The iconic view of the soldier reaching in his cartridge box to reload - it´s an Enfield box, visibly different from the box of the soldier right in front of him.
John Trumbell made the Revolution come to life for me. Walker did so for the Civil War.

 

[Rhett Butler]

Yes, the red trousered soldiers are 14th Brooklyn. The vignette with the smal soldier reaching for the flag is semi-historical. The 149th PA (I believe) had planted their flag a few yards in advance of their line and fell back to the reverse slope of the slight hill. When the Confederates came down the pike, the flag was grabbed and there was a fistfight over it, which the Bucktails lost.
Walker loved his overcoat carriers, too. How many Confederates does he include wearing them?
Another nice detail: The iconic view of the soldier reaching in his cartridge box to reload - it´s an Enfield box, visibly different from the box of the soldier right in front of him.
John Trumbell made the Revolution come to life for me. Walker did so for the Civil War.

I hadn't realised there was a difference in Enfield cartridge boxes as opposed to Springfield- appreciate the info. James Walker certainly did add another dimension to how the War was fought. Some of his western theatre paintings are really good- Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain for example.

 

[RedRover]

Here's a photo of Walker working on a painting of Lookout mountain:

 

[RedRover]

Yes, the red trousered soldiers are 14th Brooklyn. The vignette with the smal soldier reaching for the flag is semi-historical. The 149th PA (I believe) had planted their flag a few yards in advance of their line and fell back to the reverse slope of the slight hill. When the Confederates came down the pike, the flag was grabbed and there was a fistfight over it, which the Bucktails lost.
Walker loved his overcoat carriers, too. How many Confederates does he include wearing them?
Another nice detail: The iconic view of the soldier reaching in his cartridge box to reload - it´s an Enfield box, visibly different from the box of the soldier right in front of him.
John Trumbell made the Revolution come to life for me. Walker did so for the Civil War.

Good catch on the cartridge box! I think you are correct.


The Enfield British cartridge box is visibly thicker and shorter than the American boxes...

 

[Tom Elmore]

Walker's concentric portrayal of the Confederate battle lines gives the impression that they are about to surround and overwhelm the Federals. Here's my finished map version of the actual situation at about the same time as depicted by Walker and Redwood, which leaves the same impression:

 

[Rhett Butler]

Here's a photo of Walker working on a painting of Lookout mountain:
View attachment 488172

I believe Joe Hooker (one of my favourite Civil War generals for all the wrong reasons) had some influence on the content of this particular painting. Thanks for the photo!

 

[Rhett Butler]

Walker's concentric portrayal of the Confederate battle lines gives the impression that they are about to surround and overwhelm the Federals. Here's my finished map version of the actual situation at about the same time as depicted by Walker and Redwood, which leaves the same impression:

View attachment 488182

Great map- gives some context to the painting!

 

[121st PA Vols]

Rhett, thanks for posting these. Like others on the board, I was struck by it with deep interest as a little guy and I'm from there! It reached out and grabbed me and has always stirred my imagination, especially after learning my G-G-Uncle was there in the 121st PA on the left that day. Being flanked, I'd guess this is what the battle looked like from his point of view. Overwhelming and then some! Me too, all these years later.
These are all wonderful paintings however stylized since they brought the battle to life in an understanding way for many of us. it's one of the reasons I became a student of the battle. Thank you.

 

[Rhett Butler]

Rhett, thanks for posting these. Like others on the board, I was struck by it with deep interest as a little guy and I'm from there! It reached out and grabbed me and has always stirred my imagination, especially after learning my G-G-Uncle was there in the 121st PA on the left that day. Being flanked, I'd guess this is what the battle looked like from his point of view. Overwhelming and then some! Me too, all these years later.
These are all wonderful paintings however stylized since they brought the battle to life in an understanding way for many of us. it's one of the reasons I became a student of the battle. Thank you.

Good point about the paintings bringing events to life. Civil War photos are amazing to view but they cannot because of the limited technology really show the chaos and desperation of close quarter combat/fire fights.
Amazing that you were able to trace a great,great uncle who was there during three memorable July days!

 

[121st PA Vols]

It's an interesting and fun story; here's the short form.
Dad was raised in Gettysburg going into the military after Gettysburg College, training to become a B-17 bomber pilot at Sebring, FL and Shreveport Louisiana, Barksdale Field! Mother worked at the base in Sebring. They married and came back to Gettysburg after the war where I was born.
His folks are from Pottstown where G-G Uncle Ed (121st Pa, Pvt. Edmund Wells) was from. We found information about him in a box in a closet with a letter and papers dad said I should check out. Unfortunately, I didn't know of the box and story therein until after my guiding years. Again, keeping it short, he was wounded in the arm at Fredericksburg (Meade-Reynolds), shot in the mouth at Gettysburg (1st Corps), surviving both, living until the age of 92; 26 at Gettysburg.
Finding his information spurred considerable research, finding that mother's people originally from Waresboro, Ware County, Ga, were also at the battle with Semmes (McLaws-Longstreet) in the 50th Ga, Co-A and Co-B, and Gordon (Early-Ewell) in the 26th Ga, Co-K and Co-L; Pvt Wm. Harris King, Junior 2nd Lt Willoughby Minchew and their brothers in the 26th, 5th Sgt Andrew J King, 3rd Cpl Lewis Minchew. Brothers. William would be a grandfather, Andrew an uncle, the Minchew's cousins. Although Edmund Wells survived the war, none of the others did. Andrew was killed in action in the trenches at Petersburg June 18th-1864, Lewis was killed in action at Spotsylvania May 12th, Willoughby was wounded and captured at Cedar Creek Oct 19th-1864, drying as a prisoner of war the 24th with William dying somewhere in Virginia Sept 9, 1863 of sickness or perhaps from a wound at Gettysburg, we don't know.
I had great help with my research through Col. Jacob Sheads and Dr. Harry Pfanz, NPS employes and great people. I knew Col. Sheads as we were both town folk and he my history teacher in HS, and Dr. Pfanz when guiding out of the old Visitors Center in Zieglers Grove where both were stationed. I was allowed to use the Park Library with Dr. Pfanz tolerating my pestering him with too many questions he happily answered.

 

[JineArtillery]

I believe Joe Hooker (one of my favourite Civil War generals for all the wrong reasons) had some influence on the content of this particular painting. Thanks for the photo!

Interesting phrasing, what are some of your reasons? (I'm curious, as I know little of Hooker)

 

[gc45]

The paintings are fantastic, the many posts informative to say the least. Such great additions to this website too! Thanks to all of you, I learned a lot!