Kings of Kernstown
By John Paul Strain
Generals Early, Gordon
Breckinridge & Ramseur
Pritchard Farm - Kernstown, Virginia
July 24, 1864
Remarques on Artist's Proof Paper Giclee Edition Only
(along the white border at the bottom of the print)
- Signed Artist's Proof Lithographic Print
- Condition: New
- Image size: 19 1/2" x 28 3/4"
- Limited Edition size: 100
- Ships flat - does not include frame
- Ships flat via FedEx
- Handling time: Usually within 5 business days
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity
Artist's Notes: "They were four of a kind. Hard-bitten and battle tested Confederate generals. Jubal A. Early, John B. Gordon, John C. Breckinridge and Stephen D. Ramseur were given the task by Robert E. Lee to attack Federal forces in the Shenandoah Valley and relieve pressure on Southern troops under siege at Richmond. Commanding the Confederate forces, General Early had 17,000 seasoned veterans from the Army of Northern Virginia to do the job. They were among the best troops of the Confederacy. On July 24th General Early's army marched north from Strasburg on the Valley Pike. At 7:00am the cavalry in gray were engaged with Federal forces under the command of General George Crook south of Kernstown. By 1:00pm Early's generals had their divisions deployed and ready to engage the Union forces who had occupied the Pritchard farm and the strategic Pritchard's Hill. The beautiful home known as 'Brightside", a name given by the Pritchard family, would again be located at the center of a raging battle. Two years earlier, Confederate forces under the command of General "Stonewall" Jackson had attempted, without success, to defeat the Federal army at Pritchard's Hill on March 23, 1862. Under orders from General Crook, Union Col. James A. Mulligan's 23rd Illinois, the "Irish Brigade", along with another brigade made the first move advancing south on hidden Confederate brigades. It wasn't long before he found them and retreated back toward Pritchard's Hill. In the meantime General Breckinridge had located a ravine on the east side of the Valley Pike and was able to keep his troops concealed as they deployed on the exposed Union left flank. Ordered to again advance in force, Col. Mulligan, supported by the regiments under Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, moved toward General Gordon's division secured in Barton's Woods. Breckinridge then unleashed his brigades, quickly routing the exposed Union left flank. The Union forces fell back to make a stand along the stone wall of Pritchard's Lane. It was here that Col. Mulligan was mortally wounded and the Union line collapsed and began the flight back toward Winchester. Avenging Stonewall Jackson's only loss in battle, Early's generals were now kings of the hill."
About John Paul Strain: 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!
* Options *
450 S/N Limited Edition Lithographic Prints - $200
100 Artist's Proofs Lithographic Prints - $300 here
Image size 19 1/2" x 28 3/4"
75 S/N Studio Canvas Giclées - $275
10 Artist's Proof Studio Canvas Giclées - $325
Image size 16 1/2" x 24 1/2"
75 S/N Classic Canvas Giclées - $525
15 Artist's Proofs Classic Canvas Giclées - $675
Image size 22 3/4" x 34"
10 S/N Executive Canvas Giclées - $1200
4 Artist's Proofs Executive Canvas Giclées - $1400
Image size 27" x 40"
