GRANT LEAVES THE WILDERNESS MAY 7, 1864, BY FREDERICK RAY

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Item Code: 141-85

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Artist Frederick Ray (1920-2001) is perhaps best known for his popular comic book art that included subjects like Superman and Batman, but he had a strong interest in historical subjects, both fictional like his “Tomahawk” frontiersman series, and accurate depictions of historical events for Civil War Times illustrated and other publications. He even authored an excellent book on Civil War artist Alfred Waud.

In this work Ray elaborated on a sketch by Civil War artist Edwin Forbes showing Grant at the pivotal moment of his 1864 overland campaign when, blocked from further immediate progress after two days of horrendous fighting in the Wilderness on May 5 and 6, he decided not to imitate his predecessors and move back across the river, but turned his columns south, forcing Lee to conform to his movements and continue the fight.

Ray has reduced the scene to essentials. Grant appears mounted at the center, looking straight at the viewer. A few members of his staff ride behind him. All are properly uniformed, but there are no frills. Behind them the tops of trees are wreathed in swirling smoke not only from rifles and cannon, but from the fires started by gunfire, adding to the horror of the two days of close fighting. On the right a rifle and cartridge box lie discarded by the roadside as casualties make their way to the rear, some aided by comrades; one crawling on his own at the lower right. At left a column of troops moves to the front. A company officer trudges alongside them. All are dressed for campaigning with blanket rolls slung, canteens and accoutrements visible, rifles at right-shoulder shift, battle flags visible in the column, but not flourished as some other modern artists like to show them, but carried forward for use in the next, inevitable engagement. Ray shows dirt and dust rising  from the ground under their feet, to mix with the smoke of the fires and gunfire surrounding  the trees.

Ray has chosen to depict the very moment described by contemporary witnesses when it became clear to his men as Grant turned his horse south that their bravery and sacrifice were not going to be thrown away, and began to cheer, even knowing that more bloody fighting lay ahead. Not everyone has yet realized the significance of the moment, but one soldier has, raising his cap, with his mouth open in a cheer, something witnesses recalled carried up and down the column to the degree that orders had to be issued against it, lest the enemy be warned the fight was not over.

This is a great portrayal of the event in acrylic on artist board, measuring 18” by 24”, signed “F. Ray” at bottom right.   [sr][ph:m/L]

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