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If Mortal Man Can
LOT 1193
Massive Documented Original “If Mortal Man Can” Civil War Pickett’s Charge Oil on Canvas Painting by Donald Prechtel with Additional Prints - “Pickett’s Charge”, often referred to as “the high water mark of the Confederacy”, was an action that took place on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and was so called due to General George Pickett’s division of Virginians taking a very prominent role. The rash, poorly organized, and ill-fated attack by the secessionists on the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge began with what was likely the largest artillery duel of the war at around 1 p.m. on 3 July, with approximately 300 cannon involved, dispersed between the two sides. It was believed by the Confederate command that their artillery would be able to silence the Union guns, as well as soften up the infantry lines, allowing for their infantry assault to break the center of the line. After about an hour of artillery fire, the Confederate artillery was running out of ammunition and endangering their ability to support the infantry assault, so the assault was ordered to
take place immediately. It is believed that the Union artillery commander
had deliberately had his guns taper off their fire to create the illusion to their opposition that their barrage was finding success. The nine to eleven brigades of General Lee’s planned assault comprised roughly 12,500 men and stepped out of the woods of Seminary Ridge toward the Union line around 2 p.m. The rebel assault immediately came under fire from the Union batteries that had not been silenced, but continued their slow assault across 3/4 of the mile of open ground anyway. As the Confederate assault closed on the Union line it became much less cohesive, receiving both canister shot and musket fire as they reached the Emmitsburg Road, which was 300 yards from the low stone wall of the Union line. It is estimated that as much as two-thirds of the Confederate force never made it beyond this point. Pickett’s division however, with brigades led by generals Kemper, Garnett, and Armistead managed to cross the road and wheel slightly left into the southern portion of an angle of the Union line that would simply become known as, “The Angle”. The three Virginia brigades managed to open up a couple moved to exploit a gap that had opened in the Union line due to the inexplicable retreat of the 71st Pennsylvania. This left a portion of the low
stone wall defended only by a handful of the 71st that remained, the 268 men of the Irish 69th Pennsylvania, and the two 3-inch guns of Cushing’s battery. At this point General Armistead led the Virginians over the wall, with his hat stuck atop his sword, into fierce hand to hand combat with the men of the 69th. It is this particular moment that is depicted in this painting in very graphic detail, including what appears to be the death of Lieutenant Alonzo Cushing, who was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014. At that point the disorganized Confederate attack began to stall, with the 72nd Pennsylvania Zouaves rushing in to help plug the gap. The Confederate attack faded away, having suffered over 6,500 killed, wounded, and captured, over 2,500 of which were from Pickett’s division, with over half of its field officers being casualties and all three brigade commanders killed or captured, the division was basically destroyed. This massive, beautifully done painting by Donald Prechtel depicts General Armistead bravely leading his Virginians over the low stone wall of Cemetery Ridge in the desperate last act of the ill-fated attack that would become
known as the “high water mark of the Confederacy”. In vivid color it shows the desperate effort to turn the tide by the Irishmen of the 69th Pennsylvania and of Cushing’s battery. Donald Prechtel began his career as a professional painter in 1968, being known for his historical paintings as well as landscapes and other nature. His paintings are featured in multiple museums and collections, including the Virginia Military Institute. Including the large frame the painting measures approximately 48 1/4 x 68 1/4 inches and is signed by the artist
in the lower right along with a “94” copyright. Included with the painting is documentation pertaining to the original order and purchase of the piece as well as original sketches from the artist. Also included are nine signed prints of the piece and a plaque describing the subject of the painting and the name. CONDITION: Excellent, the painting itself retaining its vivid colors and detail with only the slightest evidence of wear. The frame is also excellent with only the slightest handling/storage wear and having an attractively antiqued finish. This is an incredible work of art depicting one of the most pivotal moments of the Civil War which could become a centerpiece for any such collection!
Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000
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