Official Print for the 1990 Class of the U.S. Army War College

I had been looking for an opportunity to paint "Stonewall" Jackson for a second time after the wonderful reaction to my painting of Jackson at Winchester by his 103 year old granddaughter, Mrs. Julia Preston. Meeting Mrs. Preston and seeing her enthusiasm for the subject was truly a thrill. My chance came when the graduating Correspondence class of 1990 of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA asked me to do a painting of "Stonewall" Jackson at Antietam as their official print and class gift, I read up as much as I could on the battle and then arranged a visit to the battlefield.

I knew I wanted Dunker Church in the painting, but I wanted to show many things. Of course, Jackson had to be the center of interest. Since he was on horseback and was all over the battlefield, I could certainly place him near the church, but I also wanted to show the Union troops and the tremendous toll of casualties. It was the bloodiest day of the war. After walking around the church for hours, I came up with a viewpoint that I thought could show it all.

By moving around to the back of the church, I came across the rocky shelves mentioned in many accounts, that were used to shelter the wounded. Here was my opportunity to show a view of the church that is rarely seen, place the rocks that had been there for a millennium, and show the rest of the elements I needed to tell my story. The view is from the West Woods behind the Church, looking northeast.

I felt the key to the picture was to show the tremendous danger, with Jackson in the midst of this bedlam, under complete control of the situation.

A shell explodes nearby, as Major Robert Dabney, of Jackson's staff (center), gallops up with information. Major Henry Kyd Douglas points to a developing situation as Lt. Col. A.S. Pendleton's horse rears in response to the exploding shell. It is 9:30 a.m. and the 7th Georgia charges back around the church to push the federals back. The arrangement of shell holes on the south side of the church were painted from photographs taken shortly after the battle. Dead and wounded of both sides are all around. On the far left, Confederates charge forward, forcing the eye to the center of interest, Jackson, who remains cool through it all and clearly in control of his horse, as well as the battlefield. The variety of equipment and the sad state of their uniforms attest to the difficult times these men have been through. I hope this painting gives the feeling of the way the battle was at this place and time, and also captures the true spirit and personality of "Stonewall".