From John Hennessy:
Here is a portion of our latest piece of original art, developed by Frank O’Reilly and executed by artist Mark Churms. This will be used in the new exhibit we are planning for the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, and also likely on a wayside exhibit atop Marye’s Heights. The image shows guns of the Washington Artillery firing over the Sunken Road, into the killing field beyond. That’s the Stephens House and Innis House at center and left, with the brick Stratton House beyond. The piece will eventually be made available for sale by Mr. Churms.
We like it and thought you might be interested to see a little slice of what’s going on hereabouts.
Copyright Mark Churms. All rights reserved.
Mark has captured the sheer insanity of battle in the Civil War. Nicely done and a great addition to the Fredericksburg National Park and the memory of those that fought on that horrible day and my birthday. As Lee said..”It is good that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it”
Brave & obedient Union men commanded by inept leadership. Glad I wasn’t there…or maybe I was…Brian K
By: Brian G Kammerer on January 10, 2012
at 1:37 pm
It could use a tad more RECOIL!!!!!
By: Harry Smeltzer on January 10, 2012
at 1:53 pm
Very nice depiction of Captain Squire’s guns in action. A lot of attention to the details of the fight as their men were taking severe casualties. I look forward to seeing the full image.
By: John Cummings on January 10, 2012
at 6:21 pm
This high ground above Fredericksburg was owned by Henry Willis, one of the founders of Fredericksburg. Henry was married to the sister of George Washington’s father. The walls and entrance to the Willis family cemetery on this hill are still scared from this battle and can be seen today. The National Cemetery in Fredericksburg is located on Henry Willis’s land and sits just beside his family cemetery.
By: David Griffith on January 11, 2012
at 12:12 am
Very nice work, I cannot wait to view it. A job well done to the three of you (Mark, Frank and John). I await its going on sale to the public to display with my Irish Brigade artifacts.
By: Joseph Maghe on January 11, 2012
at 12:35 pm
Nice painting.
Really fascinating to see how the cannons were dug in behind the infantry like that. Interesting that the cannon crews were suffering losses like that even though they had such a good position.
Chris
By: Chris Evans on January 16, 2012
at 10:35 am
Dear All,
For some time, I have been looking for a drawing showing the emplacements just after the May 1863 Battle of Fredericksburg. I let it slip through my hands at Ken Haack’s shop maybe thirty years ago and have been kicking myself ever since. The vantage point and shape of the gun emplacements in Mark’s new painting might possibly have been informed by the drawing I saw. Anybody recall seeing anything like it?
Happy Holidays,
Robert Kravetz
By: Robert Kravetz on December 3, 2012
at 5:50 pm