Starlight Raid
* BY JOHN PAUL STRAIN *
Major John S. Mosby & Captain Frank Stringfellow
Loudoun Heights, Virginia
January 10, 1864
- Signed Studio Canvas Giclee
- Condition: New
- Image size 17" x 22 1/2"
- Limited Edition size: 100
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity
- Ships free via FedEx, rolled in a tube
- Handling time varies from 5 days - 2.5 wks
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Artist's Notes: "A blanket of snow covered the Virginia countryside in the early days of January when Major John S. Mosby, commanding the 43rd Battalion of Partisan Rangers, received an intriguing communique.The message was from Captain Frank Stringfellow, a well known trusted scout of J.E.B. Stuart and Robert E. Lee. Stringfellow had a reputation for providing accurate intelligence on enemy activity. Stringfellow’s plan was to attack and capture a Maryland Cavalry Battalion performing picket duty near the Hillsboro road at Loudoun Heights, a strategic passage leading to Harper’s Ferry. Stringfellow believed the enemy camp of 200 men could be easily surprised at night and captured while sleeping without firing a single shot. Mosby considered the plan and knew attacking a much larger force would have to be performed with precision and stealth in order to be successful. He gathered his men on January 9th at Upperville, and the hard march to capture US Major Henry Cole’s Maryland Cavalry began. Major Mosby’s brother William later wrote about the night raid. “The snow covered the ground, an icy wind swept down through the passes of the neighboring Blue Ridge, and altogether the night was the coldest that ever broke away from the North Pole and wandered south of the Arctic circle - a splendid night for a surprise party.” The Confederate column marched along the base of the Short Hills until it reached the Potomac River. The Rangers quietly moved up the river bank towards Harper’s Ferry. As they began their ascent up the mountain they could see Federal encampment fires across the river on the Maryland side. The steep icy snow-covered wooded cliffs could only be climbed by men leading their horses single file. At about 5am Mosby’s force of 100 men were finally in position to make their move to surprise the sleeping enemy. Mosby dismounted a portion of his force and they quietly captured the first row of Cole’s men sleeping in their tents. Suddenly a shot rang out from somewhere, (Mosby believed it was from Stringfellow’s men yelling and shooting). The element of surprise was gone and all hell and confusion broke loose. The Federals came pouring barefoot out of their tents armed with pistols and carbines. A number of Mosby’s faithful men were killed or wounded, and a hasty retreat towards Hillsboro was made carrying as many of their wounded as possible. The Rangers lost five men and six were wounded. Victory had been in their grasp but as so often happens in war, unforeseen events can change the course of history."
About the Artist: Mr. Strain and his paintings have been featured on the television shows of C-Span's Washington Journal, The History Channel, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Throughout his long career he has won many awards for his art. Reproductions of his work have won numerous 1st place awards and "Best of Show" honors, such as the PICA Awards, The Printing Industry of the Carolina's, and at the PIAG Awards in Georgia. Strain is also a featured artist for internationally known collector art companies the Bradford Exchange and the Franklin Mint for which he has created a Civil War Chess Set, several limited edition plate series, sculptures, and many other collectible items featuring his paintings. John Paul completed a number of commissioned works for the United States Army, which are on permanent display at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Fort McNair, Washington D.C., and the battlefield visitor's center at Normandy, France. Today, his original paintings can be found in many noted museums such as the Museum of Fredericksburg, and at Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. In 2010 Mr. Strain won the Henry Timrod Southern Culture Award presented by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars - Descendants of Officers of the Confederacy. In 2017 Mr. Strain was unanimously chosen by the Board of Directors of the General N.B. Forrest Historical Society for the “Forrest Distinguished Artist of the Year Award” Notably his work has been collected by many US Senators, US Congressmen, State Governors, music and Hollywood celebrities. His work can be found at the United States Pentagon, and assorted United States Navy Military War Ships currently in service. Over 90,000 pieces of John Paul Strain's Limited Edition Art and original paintings have been sold and enjoyed worldwide!
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