Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-17

the topography Of the field, interviews with men
of both armies in hospital, and frequent visits TO
the field with convalescent officers of the conled-
crate army, who were able to point out the ex-
act position and movements of their com
mands. A whole season was spent in visiting
the officers of every Union regiment and bat
terry at the 'front.' when their statements were
noted for history. And IN addition to all this,
over one thousand officers-iorty seven of them
generals at Gettysburg-haye since visited that
field on invitation of Col Bachelor, to point
out to him, for historical purposes, the positions
and movements Of their several commands.
Prepared with such material as this, Col. Bach
elder, himself an amateur artist, began the
preparation of this great painting.
The next important move was to engage an
artist of sufficient ability and experience in mill
tary operations to be entrusted with a work of
such importance, Artists of ability and repu-
talon were found, but they had never seen a
battle, nor even an army in the field, and their
productions were either copies of European
paintings, executed by men equally unfamiliar
with the subect,'o the result of heated imagi-
nations, whose whole armies were represented i'm
terrible hand-to-hand conflicts, better represent
ing the battles of the middle ares than Amcri-
can engagements fought with modern imple-
meuts of war.
Captain james Walker, of New York city, at
the commencement of the Mexican war, was
professor of painting and drawing in II college
in the City OF Mexico. As the Amcri
can army approached he made his escape
fhrnupi, rnpn ipupI I and W.
IGNORED with a position on the staff of
one of our leading generals which position,
coupled with his profession, enabled him TO
study the intrcaccs of war, and subsequently
to execute those valuable paintings of Mexican
battles which have since adorned the offices Of
the war department.. The value of these paint
ings soon attracted the attention of the authori
ties at Washington, and Capt. Walker was COM
misSioned by the government to execute req
rescntative painting commemorative OF the
valor of our armies III Mexico The "Storming
of Chaputepec" was selected, and his graphic
and picturesque representation of that scene has
since adorned the stairway of the senate wing
of the capitol. At the request OF General Hooker
and many prominent officers, whose acquain.-
ance he had made in Mexico, Capt Walker
Joined the army in the southwest, and was pres
eut at many of the important battles. When
met by Colonel Bachelor he was engaged on the
design for his great painting of Lookout noun
tain, 'The Battle among the Clouds" 1t was
evident that James Walker was the man TO be
entrusted with the painting of Gettysburg"
the great battle of the rebellion. An engage
ment was soon made, Lookout Mountain" was
lain aside, and TO; three and half years
Capt Walker devoted himself assiduously to
the work, assisted much of the time by Col.
Bachelor, who arranged historically the posi-
ton of the troops, and aided by the prominent
officers of both armies, who cheerfully contrib
uted their assistance, and have since furnished
the most catering testimonials of its accuracy.
The first feeling ON looking at the painting is
one of bewildermeut 1t is full of actiOn-nat-
ural action. Every one seems to have something
to do, and TO be doing it. The position chosen
by the artist is from the rear Of the Union line.
The original confederate position, on Seminary
ridge, marked by thcsmoke ola hundred guns, can
be seen near mile away. Across the intervening
plain troops have charged; the valley is filed
with smoke, through which can be seen the
broken ranks of a discontinued foe. The more
daring have reached the stone wall forming the
original Union line of battle, and forced the
Union troops back over the ridge. A few
score have crossed the wall TO be swept
away like grass before the Scythe. 1t is the I'M
certain moment of the battle, the result of which
no one could lorctell. But assistance is at hand
the day is saved The troops on the left o f
.I l;,,
attacking the enemy in flank. With this latter
force our sympathy rests. Here our brothers,
fathers, husbands and sons Of the old 18th Mas
sachuserts are rushing into the fray. The 10Th
and goth are there and regiments from Maine
and Minnesota, New York and Michigan, each in
its proper place. General Meade has just reached
this part of the field, where he is met by Major
Mitchell, with the report that General Hancock
is lying dangerously wounded upon the ground.
The confederate General Armistead, the first to
cross the Union works, has been brought ser-
ously wounded to the rear. Large bodies of
prisoners are coming in on the right, bat
terics 90 galloping 10 the front, Others
disabled, or with exhausted ammunitions
have limbcrcd-up and passed to the rear. The
whole programme presents the whrl and excite
mcnt of terrific engagement. But the interest
does not end here. The field is carefully de-
lincated for miles away over and beyond. At
the right and left of this main feature of the
painting troops can be seen, some moving to the
assistance of the threatened point, Others held
in rcservC-all in POSITIONS the correctness of
which has been fully endorsed by Gen. Meade
and his subordinate officers Indeed, it is as
serted by Colonel Batchelder that no regiment
or battery has yet been found out of position,
aud he invites the public at all times to call for
the place of any command, which he readily
points out. The painting has now stood the
test of twenty.one months exhibition in Boston
and other prominent New England cities, with
out mistake being detected in the positions of
the troops
The painting is worthy of many visits, and
the very interesting descriptive lectures of Col.
Batchelder add greatly to the interest. In con-
nection with the painting, Col. Batchelder ex-
hbits here, for the first time at any place we
understand smaller picture, painted with
equal care, and in some respects more startling
in its effects upon the feelings Of the beholder,
representing the first days battle, in which the
first and twelfth army corps are seen sustaining
unequal fight against the long confederate line,
which is shown advancing in the'foregrouDd.
This will be exhibited with the other during its
continuance here, as also will be the painting OF
"rhc Last Hours of Lincoln"
The lecture last night was devoted TO gener-
al sketch of the battle, illustrated by continued
reference to the painting to show the position of
the different regiments, that of the fifteenth
Massachusetts among others, and was exceed
ingly interesting.
Tonight the subject the lecture will be the
incidents connected with the death, wounding
and capture of fifty- We general officers, and the
colonel win give besides any information re-
garding the battle that may be asked for by
soldiers or others in the audience We can cor
daily recommend all to visit Horticultural hall
this afternoon and evening.
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