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 1871. 
 
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 PAINTED BY 
 
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'Q5 
 

 CF THE 
 
 BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, 
 
 POSITION OF THE TROOPS, JULY 3, 1863. 
 
 WHE better to uuderstiind the charge and repulse of Pickett's 
 ^ Division, which the artist has^^.^jM^xfored to represent in this 
 picture, it -will be necessary to say a few words regarding the 
 position of the contending armies-, ,as well as the formation of 
 the ground over which the battle w^s bought. First, then, the 
 Second Corps (Hancock's) occupied that part of the line of battle 
 known as the left centre, on the gradual declining slope of Cemetery 
 Ilill until near Little Round Top, where the ground becomes quite or 
 nearly level, it then rises, rather abruptly, to tlie crest of Little Kound 
 Top and, Vv'ith a viilley intervening, culminates in Round Top, the 
 extreme left and key-point of the position of the Army of the Union. 
 The observer is placed at the left of Hay's Division, and on the right 
 of Gibbon's (the central Division of Hancock's Corps). \ The stone 
 wall, in the middle and foreground of the picture, was occupied in 
 part on the left by a portion of the 71st P. V., Col. Smith. A low 
 stone wall, nearly perpendicular to the first named, extended out some 
 distance towards the Emmettsburg Road to an angle, and thence down 
 towards the left, just in front of a clump of trees. Nearest to the angle 
 or right of tiiis wall was placed the remainder of Colonel Smith's, 
 71st P. v., together with two guns of Cushing's Battery. On the 
 prolongation of this wall was the 69th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
 commanded by Colonel O'Kane, and reaching to the left of the 
 clump of trees in the centre middle ground of the picture. Then 
 came Hall's Brigade, then Harrow's, and then Caldwell's Division of 
 the Second Corps. Still further to the left, toward Round Top, was 
 stationed Doubleday's Division of the First Corps, in front of which 
 and the line of Batteries w'as General Stannard's Vermont Bri^-ade ; 
 (their first battle and gloriously did they do their duty). General 
 Dana's Brigade, of Doubleday's Division, in line supporting 
 Batteries, and then General Humphrey's Division, Third Corps, 
 (Sickle's) in rear and in support of McGilvery's Brigade of reserve 
 artillery. Further to the left and somewhat further in the rear, 
 De Trobriand's Brigade; and in advance of the line occupied by 
 the artillery, was placed a Brigade of the Sixth Corps (Sedgwick's). 
 
The remainder of tJie Corps being massed at and n^ar the rear of 
 Little Round Top. This was tlie position of tlie troops, with th<» 
 exception of the72d Pennsylvania Volunteers, Coi. Baxter (wounded 
 the day before), and now under the command of the luto Colonel 
 Hesser, in reserve, to the left and in the rear of the:, clump of trees, 
 where the ground slopes down rapidly for a slioi-t distance. The gun 
 in the left foreground represents one of Arnold's E.. I. Batteries run 
 forward. At the end of the stone wall, near the middle, is seen^a 
 part of Cushing's; further to the. left, Rcrty's and others, and then 
 McGilvery's Brigade of reserve artillery, towaids the slope of Little 
 Kound Top. 
 
 The line the enemy occupied was on Seminary Ridge, on the right 
 of the picture. The right of Longstreet's Corps extending down some 
 distance beyond the point where the Eramettsburg Road crosses the 
 before mentioned Ridge, somewhat overlapping the extreme Union 
 lel't on Round Top, 
 
 The enemy's troops were formed in line of battle on this Ridge, 
 under cover of the hills and trees. Pickett's Division, three Brigades, 
 Kemper on their right, Garnett'sin the centre and Armistead on their 
 left, which v.as supported by Pettigrew, commanding Heth's Division 
 (who was wounded the day beCore), and Pender's Division, The 
 right Eupportiug column was lead by General Willcox. 
 
 The following is an Extract from JOHN H. B. LATROBES' "PINCH 
 OF THE- FIGHT," as described, by an Eye Wttness. 
 
 (First Published in Ihe Baltimore American.) 
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE PINCH OF THE FIGHT. 
 
 "jjQF Friday's fight I know more. Lee's attack was, on this day, on 
 ^ what is called the left centre, and mainly took place between the 
 house at tlie turn of tl)e horse shoe aud tlie clump of trees. This 
 position was held principally by the Second Corps, the second brigade 
 of the second division of which, under General Webb, was on the 
 right, looking over the valley and down upon the Emmettsburg road. 
 Next to it on the left was the third brigade, (Hall's,) the first brigade 
 being still further on the left; the three brigades, forming the second 
 division, being thus in line on the crest. If you bear in mind my 
 description, you will see now that a fire from the opposite side of the 
 valley at the Second Corps (Hancock's,) and the second division of 
 it (Gibbon's), would, if it ranged further, make Meade's headquarters 
 a hot phice, and also the house where the ofhceis lunched, as well as 
 the cemetery. 
 
 My knowledge being confined mainly to the second division,! will 
 not pretend to say much about anything else, for the reason that a 
 soldier in battle is cot always competent to describe more than what 
 passes immediately around liim ; nor will this failure on my part be 
 of much importance, because, with the fortunes of the Second Corps 
 and its second division, the fate of the fight was closely connected. 
 
Just in front of Webb's brigade, and a little way down the slope 
 towards the valley, was a stone wall, and to the left, and somewtiat 
 in advance of the stone wall, was a rail fence in front of Hall's brig- 
 ade. This wall, and fence and clump of trees were the features of the 
 day, let me tell you. Away to the left was the Third Corps, I think, 
 and on the riglit, facing Gettysburg, the Eleventh Corps. About 
 what took place on the right, or to the east of the Gettysburg road, I 
 know little or nothing. 
 
 Now, that you have my theatre of observation, let me come to 
 what took place on it. The morning of the 3d passed quietly. We 
 had heard, as a camp rumor, that Meade had said, that, "If Lee could 
 ailbrd to wait so could he ;" and we fancied that the waiting had 
 begun, when, about one o'clock on Friday, a single gun on the oppo- 
 site side of the valley went "bang," and then there was the whirr of 
 a shoto Presently, another "bang," and then "bang, bang, bang, 
 bang, bang," until it was impossible to count the shots; and along 
 witli these reports came every kind of hurtle, whirr, whistle and shriek, 
 that men had heard or can imagine, the most terrible of ail proceed- 
 ing from some elongated missile, whicSi ceasing to revolve around its 
 axis, dashed "promiscuously" through th^ air, becoming visible in 
 such event. The twelve pound shot were also to be seen as they came; 
 and the worst of it was, that every shot seemed to be coming straight 
 to hit you betAveen the eyes. Horses were the greatest sufierers here; 
 for the men laid down and escaped ; but the poor brutes had to take 
 it standing. General Gibbon had sent two regiments to the brick 
 house on the Emmettsburg Road, from which we infer that he expected 
 an attack in that direction. Although Generals don't stop to tell the 
 soldiers what they are doing this or that for, yet now and then one 
 catches a word, when one happens to be near by, aod picks up a hint, 
 if t]ie infernal rampage allows time for thought. So, when General 
 Gibbon was heard to say to an aide, "Tell General Meade that the 
 enemy is advancing his infantry in force upon my front," and the aide 
 was seen to put spurs to his horse and go off in a full gallop, we began 
 to brace up for what was coming. By this time, after an hour and a 
 half of such firing as I have described, we could see, from where we 
 stood, the enemy moving up in three lines from out of the woods. 
 They would come out, marching by a flank, till they reached the 
 desired ground, when they would face to the front Their second line 
 was about a hundred yards in the rear of tlie first, and on the edge of 
 the woods, across the valley, was a third line. It was a splendid sight 
 to see them. No one looked at their ueiforms or no uniforms, their 
 hats or caps or bare heads. Everybody looked at the beautiful way 
 in which they arrayed themselves in order of attack, regardless of the 
 shot and shell which we tlirew into their ranks. ,The soldiers on our 
 side again and again praised it, while they awaited the approach of 
 the enemy. Nor did they wait loag. When they approached to 
 within f^bout two hundred yards, a part of our division, I think it was 
 Hall's Brigade, opened fire, and we could see men fall, and others go 
 to the rear. S<ill on they came, crowding a little in front, but as 
 steady as rocks. Just then an officer rode by, and said the Vermont 
 regiment on the left was worrying Uie enemy. But they did not mind 
 
that either; on they came, "Wlien tliey got within a liiindred yards, 
 more of our regiments opened fire; hv.t it did not sto]) them. Some 
 regiments reserved their fire until they got within fifty yards, ajid 
 then the enemy fell fast; but still, on they carae, and we could see 
 their faces, and hear their officers. It was almost too much for human 
 nature to stand, and a })ortion of the second brigade, which was behind 
 the stone fence, you will recollect, l)cgan to leave cover — not because 
 the enemy was upon it, but oecau.se it seemed impossible to stay. 
 Not a man ran, or seemed to feel like running, but they fell back 
 slowly, loading as they did so, and firing, while the flags of the enemy 
 — which are small red affairs Avith a white cross diagonal on them — 
 got up to the stone wall, and some crossed the. line of rail fence, 
 perhaps a hundred or so, led, as I heard, by General Armistead. 
 They were able to do this, because, as I have told you, the second 
 brigade did not stand up to the line of the stone wall and rail fence, 
 so that the division was bent backward as it Avere, in the centre, the 
 ends on the right and left standing fast; at least, so it seemed, for 
 there Avas a great deal of smoke and a terrific noise to confuse one's 
 power of calm observation. 
 
 This Avas the pinch, and the officers knew it. General Gibbon had 
 just been hit, some one said, and almost at the same time General 
 Hancock Avas badly wounded, and b 'th Avere taken off the field to the 
 rear. But I recollect seeing GibVion's aide try to rally the men, and 
 do it manfully, too. He did a man's part iu steadying the line. Ho 
 did "Webb, Avho Avas on foot in the midst of the men. Entreaty, 
 command, expostulation, encourgement, Avere employed. Webb Avas 
 everywhere. So was Colonel Smith, of a Pennsyh'ania regiment. At 
 this time the enemy Avere crowding OA^er the stone fence near the 
 clump of trees, and their red flags were AA'aving, as it seemed to me, 
 in triumph already; though Hall Avas all right and his men Avere 
 steady on our left. Presently, some one near me said, that the enemy 
 Avere massing their men in front of Webb, op]X)site the clump of trees, 
 and Ave began to Avish for Hall's help. By this time, the officers had 
 stopped the falling back and Avere driving stragglers to the front, 
 though Ave did not go forAvard to the stone wall, yet; but all Avere 
 facing the enemy and firing heavily — not in ranks, for every one 
 seemed going it pretty much on his own hook — but cheerfully, which 
 Avas a good sign. We had wished for Hall, so he came as Avished, and 
 his right marched by a flank to our left and got mixed Avith our men. 
 As the third brigade (Hall's) came up b}'- the flank, there was a 
 disposition, under the heavy fire to Avhich it was exjiosed, to edge 
 away from the stone Avail; but the oflicers overcame this, and soon a 
 compact body of men Avas formed, Avho delivered a heavy and well 
 directed fire upon the enemy as they came OA'er the Avail and rail 
 fcn(!c tOAvards us. Just then an officer, Gibbon's aide — I think it Avas 
 the same Avho had gone for Hall — came OA'cr Avith some regiments 
 from the first brigade (Harrow's) on our left, and fi-om him it Avas 
 reported, that the extreme right of the enemy, opposite to our left, Avas 
 breaking badly, and that men, there, Avcre running to the rear. This 
 greatly encouraged us, and we cheered and Avent to our Avork with a 
 will. At this time, Ave Avere behincii the crest, Avhicli was between USi 
 
9 
 
 and the stone wall, ■which was a little way down the hill towards the 
 valley ; and at the wall, between fifty and sixty yards from us, were 
 the enemy, many of them "over the walL We now advanced, and 
 could see, as we did so, that the battle was raging in front of the third 
 division. We delivered a steady fire from the crest, at short range, 
 which cleared the wall, to which we then rushed, flags waving and 
 men shouting. Webb, Hall, Devereux, jMallon and Smith v/ere 
 among the men. Oflieers, on both sides, were using their pistols. 
 The color sergeant of the 72d Pennsylvania went forward with his 
 colors, the lance of Avhich had been shot in two» The soldiers followed 
 him with a rush. No one wanted to straggle now. Other colors were 
 borne forward ; the wall was gained and crossed, and the work of 
 taking prisoners commenced. Hundreds, who threw down their arms 
 and rushed towards us, were sent to the rear. Here and there, there 
 was a struggle for flags ; but the battle was ended in this part of the 
 field. Lee's great assault liad failed. Going back with some prisoners 
 across the wall and over the crest, I saw General Meade, who came 
 on the ground with his son, who was his aide. He stopped to speak 
 to General Gibbon's aide (Hascall) and said, in his sharp way, "How 
 is it going here?" or something that sounded like it. He was told 
 that the' attack was repulsed; when he repeated, "What, is tlie 
 assault entirely repulsed?" When the aide again told him he thought 
 it was, he said, "Thank God." and made a motion to wave his hat, 
 but he did not, but waved his righthand and hurrahed, while his son 
 took off his hat and hurrahed like a good fellow. We men stood and 
 stared, and then passed on, as the General gave orders in a quick, 
 short way, wdiich seemed to be about the placing of reinforcements. 
 The dead men and horses were lying thick around; there was still 
 some firing going on, and we were all — that is, all of us that were left 
 — begrimed with powder and dust,. and many were bleeding; but it 
 was a good thing to see our General so cool, so much at his ease, and 
 speaking in such a soldierly Avay; and vv^hen he said "Thank God," 
 many of us said "Amen." The reinforcements soon came up: but 
 we had done without them, and in a little while all was quiet under 
 the clump of trees ; and the stone wall and the rail fence, and the 
 heaps of dead, were once more at rest — the last, for ever. 
 
 One thing struck me much. It was the intelligence of the men. 
 For a good part of the time, and in the heaviest of the fight, the ranks 
 were lost, and there was no organization. The officers were in our 
 midst, everywhere ; but still we kept together, and seemed to under- 
 stand, without orders, what to do, and to feel that the quicker we 
 fired the sooner the thing would be oven As to standing in line and 
 blazing away regularly, why we never thought of it, and yet our fire 
 was fearful, after the falling back from the wall was checked." 
 
10 
 
 The Point of Time in the Battle as portrayed in the Picture, is thus 
 mentioned in "BACHELDER'S KEY to his ISOMETRICAL MAP 
 of the BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG." 
 
 " .^rilE troops on Webb's loft rapidly cliangcfl front to tlic riglit, and, 
 *c^' closing en masae, rushed upon the lieadstrong foe. Then com- 
 menced one of the most desperate luind to hand encounters of the 
 battle. The bayonet and clubbed musket -were freely used; colors 
 were entwined,' and men writhed and strove together in mortal 
 combat. Troops \, 'lo hurried to their support. The First Corps 
 closed up; the Third moved to the right and closed en vias.-^e. 
 General Stannard, whose Brigade was at the Iront, inoved it by 
 the right flank, changed front forward on first company, and with 
 Ins Green Mountain boys opened a murderous fire upon their 
 exposed flank. Tlie ciTcct was resistless. The ground lay thickly 
 covered with kiUed and wounded; hundreds, thousands, threw 
 down their arms; while the broken, shattered mass sought refuge 
 behind the hills from which they had emerged. Turning to the left, 
 Willcox's column, seemingly without an object, came winding its way 
 down the opposite field. Tiiey were quickly routed by McGilvery's 
 Brigade of Keserve Artillery, and large numbers were swooped up l)y 
 IStannard's troops. 
 
 Thus terminated one of the inost determined and formidable assaults 
 of modern days; a more decided rej)ulse or inglorious defeat could 
 not have befallen their arms; and with it virtually ended the battle, 
 though the afiair of Kilpatrick, beibrc mentioned, closed at a later 
 hour. The enemy's loss in numbers w-as very severe, while the casual- 
 ties among officers of both armies was unprecedented. On the Union 
 side, Geuvral Hancock, Gibbon, "Wei)!) and Stan"s^i"d were Avonnded; 
 on our enemy's. Generals KemjxT, Pettigrew, Trimble, and Colonel 
 Frye, commanding Archer's Brigade, were wounded, all within fifteen 
 minutes' time, ami within a hundred and fifty yards of a common 
 centre. 
 
 Skirmishing continued during the next day, though the beaten foe 
 at once commenced his retreat, moving on the Fairfield and Cliam- 
 bersbur<r Roads." 
 
11 
 
 Oil July 1, General ReynoUrs Fir?t Corps, until he received his mortal wound, 
 and, after him, General Jloward's Eleventh Corps, stubhornly opposed a greatly 
 superior Confederate force, some two miles north of the Town of Gettysburg, but 
 were driven back with loss, through the town, upon Cemetery Hill, Where 
 Steinwehr's Brigade had been posted, as a point to fall back upon in case of 
 disaster. Later in the day, General Hancock (sent in advance of his corps to 
 take the command) organized a line of defence out of the shattei-ed remains of 
 the First and Eleventh Corps. 
 
 The follo^A^ing Description is by COLONKL C. H. BANES, Adjutant- 
 General Webb's Brigade, an Eye ^A'■itness on the Field of tlie 
 last great efforts of the ConfederateiS. Pieketfs Charge the Subject 
 of this Picture. 
 
 "The spectator is supposed to be standing on tlie line of battle, and looking 
 toward the left of the Union forces. This })osition was occupied by our troops 
 on the niglit of the 1st July, and also on the 2d. 
 
 " On the extreme left, in the distance, are seen the elevations known as tlie 
 Kound Tops, where the Pennsylvania Reserves did such memorable lighting, 
 lu front of a line to our riglit of Round Top, nearer the Emmettsburg Road, 
 is the ground fought over on July 2, by General Sickle's Third Corps, and 
 General Longstreet, of the Confederates. Connecting with the line of t!ic Tiiird 
 Corps, and extending to the foreground of tlie picture, is the Second Corps, under 
 Hancock. With the exception of a brief and not very spirited attack, imme- 
 diately after the affair of the afternoon of July 2, this Corps had no severe work, 
 tr'xcepting an occasional shelling and sliar}>shootiiig fire, until noon of July 3d. 
 J ust prior to that hour a temporary lull seemed to betoken a movement of some 
 unusual character. While the officers, with their field-glasses, were trying to 
 descry the next movement in the great battle, a single Whitworth gun was fired 
 from the extreme Rebel left, and just readied tlie clump of trees in the fore- 
 ground. Then a shell from the Rebel centre, then a shot from the left, and 
 immediately, from right to centre, and centre to left, burst forth one of the most 
 terrible cannonadings of the war. The fire of over a hundred guns was 
 concentered on the same portion of Meade's line. Round shot and shell, 
 Whitworth bolts and spherical case, were all in the air at the same time. The 
 Union batteries as quickly responded, and the ground seemed to tremble with 
 the thunder of war. The infantry of both armies were silent before the work of 
 death, watching the destructive effects of the canonading. The ghastly wounding 
 of men and horses, the dismounting of batteries, and the flying missiles from the 
 explosion of limbers and caissons made a scene of horror never to be 
 forgotten. 
 
 " Amidst all this the Union men, grasping their rifles and lying on the 
 ground in silence, anxiously but firmly awaited the inevitable result of this 
 bombardment, — an infontry attack. At three o'clock the fire ceased as suddenly 
 as it had commenced, and from the line of woods beyond the Emmettsburg Road the 
 enemy were seen advancing in force. Tlie Union batteries increased their fire 
 if possible, using case shot instead of shell, making rude gaps in the ranks of the 
 advancing columns, which were closed as quickly as they were made. On they 
 come, looking in the distance like a living thunder-cloud. As new batteJ-'iea 
 
12 
 
 arc placed in position, the fire is increased, ■with no apparent efJect, except to 
 mark tlie track witli dead and wounded over which the force i^ moving. On 
 they come ! Nutlilng more gallant could be expected of desperate men in a 
 desp( rate canse. Ciullantly the Union forces closed up their ranks, and awaited 
 the attack, like two giants about to grapi)le in a death struggle, each ntriving for 
 the impetus to overcome the other. The little stonewall in front of the G9th 
 Pennsylvania Volunteers is readied, and 'I'ickett's men' of Longstreet's Corps, 
 who up to this time supposed they were attacking the untried militia, cried out, 
 'Tlie Army of the Potomncl' General Armistead, of Virginia, in the advance, 
 witii liat (Ml his sword, was the first over the wall, exclaiming, 'Give them tli*' 
 cold steel !' 
 
 " Here came (he grip of the fight. Gallant Hancock is down ; Gibbon, severely 
 wounded, is lead to the rear ; (ienerals ivemper and Armistead, of the Kebel force, 
 as (piiekly fall ; and officers and men on both sides are as rapidly stricken. For 
 a fow moments the antagonists, survey each other, Armistead, the Ilebel leader, 
 but a few paces from General Webb, of the Philadelphia Brigade, were literally 
 lo(dcing each other in the eyes. Then the final struggle. Ilifles and i>istols, 
 swords and bayonets, and br.tts of mu-^kets — all are freely useil. "Without 
 formation of ranks, Rebels and Union men in their front and rear, and Union 
 men in. some places surroundtd by the enemy. This lasted for^^a few moments, 
 when the Southern men could stand no more, and those who pere no*, surrounded, 
 or unwilling to risk an attempt to retreat over their path of de?th threw dowi 
 their arms and surrendered. The fight was over, the last a' lack of Lee at 
 Gettysburg was repulsed, and the highest wave of the ilelicllior reached its limit, 
 ever after to recede." 
 
PROGRAMME 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ^^* 4f3"f ^'-rf 4f3i ^K^/r^ v:hip 4^^f «>^ «K Mi 
 
 ^ 1^ ^m ^ ^^ ^ |>^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 ATItLWAXT LTOy THE USVEILIXG OF 
 
 ROTHERiEL'S GREAT PSCTUl^E 
 
 or THE 
 
 §ATTLE OF §fETTYSBURG, 
 
 AT THE 
 
 ACADEIJJIY OP MUSIC, FMILAB'A, 
 
 U/i^ oytifiia^u OiicTi'mr/, ^cce-TTitel ^i:/M. tit <^ €- c/o-cd. 
 
 UnJor the auspices of the roiiEsylvar.ii Academy of the Fine Arts. 
 
 |{itfjic b jjiafifilnf-s |jnnul f|[ililarn |)anc! inul jji;um |lor|s. 
 
 OVER"! U RE— AMERICAN Q'J'DRILLE JULLIE-N. 
 
 ■y Nv'EILI^.'Q op THE -"PiCTUP^E. 
 
 MARCHE AUX FLAMBEAUX, MEYERBEER. 
 
 POLONAISE KUHNER. 
 
 BATTLE OVERTURE LlN DRAIN TN ER. 
 
 READIKG OF JANVi[R'3 PG[l»i CF "THE BAIILE OF GLTIYSBURG." 
 
 RUSSIAN HYMN SWOFF. 
 
 YiKitoiH aie re<:ijiiiiueuilcd to biiui; OPKIIA GLASSES for tUo better examinatiou oi the rictuits. 
 
COPIED FROM THE "PRESS,' DECEMBER 2Ut, 1870. 
 
 GETTYSBURG. 
 
 Rothermel's Picture of the Battle.— The Great Painting is Unveiled.— 
 History of the Struggle it Portrays.— The Addresses.— Description 
 of the "Work. 
 
 ";^N the Academy of Mn.sic last evening, under the auspices of the Pennsvlvania 
 <sL Academy of the Fine Arts, Eothermel's Great Picture of the Battle of Gettysburg 
 was unveiled. A master work of art, the large canvas was stretched behind the 
 curtain on the stage, brilliantly lighted up by multitudes of gas jets in the flies- 
 and wings, stretched in such a way and position as to be distinctly seen from 
 every portion of the house. When the curtain rolled up, displaying the Painting, 
 the applause was unbounded, wild for a minute, and then the thronged audience 
 subsided into a death-like stillness, every eye devouring the Picture in its entirety 
 and in its details. 
 
 As has been mentioned, the audience was a thronged one, the house being 
 crowded in 23arquet, balcony and circle. 
 
 Hassler's Military Band was present, and Interspersed throughout the exer- 
 cises a number of marches and national and military aira. 
 
 After the performance of tlie first piece of music came the 
 
 UNVEILING OF THE PICTURE. 
 
 "When the curtain ro.«e there was revealed to view the great Painting in all 
 its magnificence and terrible truthfulness. In size it is sixteen by thirty-two feet, 
 one of the large.st pictures ever painted anywhere. It was brilliantly lighted bv 
 rows of gas jets above and below, and every feature was distinctly visible in all 
 parts of the house. Every one who ever participated in or ever witnessed a battle, 
 knows the impossibility of transferring to canvas an adequate idea of such a 
 gigantic conflict in its entirety, including considerable lapse of time, generally 
 great space, and a thotisand sickening incidents. The most the artist can do is 
 to seize upon some one pregnant moment of the struggle, and one portion of the 
 field for his pictorial description. What he thus photographs, as it were, may be 
 regarded as one of numerous shifting scenes of a momentous tragedy. 
 
 Mr. Rotherrael has evinced his tinerring judgment and artistic genius, as 
 much in the selection of this moment or phrase of the grand buttle, as in its treat- 
 ment. The scene he has chosen was the great climax ot the tragedv, one 
 which not only gives the most faithful idea possible, of the main portion of the 
 field and of tho fight, but has enabled him to represent in a wonderful degree, the 
 action and intense energy so characteristic of a conflict of arms, and which makes 
 the Picture such a marvel of force and fidelity. The scene portrayed occurred 
 on the third day of the conflict, which had been engaging about two hundred 
 thousand men over an area of twenty square miles, and with varving fortunes. 
 Pickett's rebel division had made a desperate charge on that portion of the Union 
 line held by Hancock's corps. A stone wall was between the two armies. The 
 rebels had driven back our men, and had themselves advanced beyond the wall. 
 
16 
 
 A rally was made, tlie rebels retired behind the wall, and for a few seconds there 
 was here a hand to hand bayonet fight. Its duration was brief, the rebels soon 
 breaking and fleenig in confusion. This terrible bayonet struggle over the 
 meandering intone fence forms the central feature of the Picture. To say that it 
 has been realized with ghastly accuracy and power, is but faint prai.^e compared 
 to that which it deserves. On either side are the niasf-es of the contending armies, 
 officers and men intermingled with the confusion inseparable frtm such a final 
 tug of war. General Meade has just arrived upon the scene, and together with 
 his son, Colonel George ^leade, and Colonel Haskell, all mounted, is shown ; at 
 the left, dead, wounded and dying bestrew the ground in front. Away to the 
 rear stretch the lines of the two armies, marked in the distance only by dense 
 clouds of smoke. Bursting shells in the air and under the feet of horses and men 
 lend an added horror to the scene. 
 
 The perfection of the Picture rests chiefly in the accuracy with which the 
 locality, the conspicuous features of the two armies, and the particular struggle, 
 as well as many faces of officers and soldiers engaged, are drawn, together with 
 its remarkable breadth. One does not look for beauty in a battle scene, but Mr. 
 Kothermel has produced a sky and clouds in this FJctiire so poetic and so full of 
 nature's attractiveness, that they go far toward compensating for the horrors 
 depicted below. The work, as a whole, is a most grand and impressive one, and 
 should confer enduring fame upon its author. 
 
 Following the unveiling of the Picture came the following 
 
 ADDRESS BY JOSEPH HARRISON, JR. 
 
 War, with all its horrors, with all its glories— if glory can be educed from 
 sucii tlreadful elements — has been the favorite theme of the Historian and the 
 Pott, the Painter and the Sculptor, the Architect and the Founder, in all the 
 past, as it is now. Holy Writ is full of the records of war. Tlie sculptured slabs 
 of Nineveh, — the mystic cuttings in granite, and the colors still extant amidst the 
 tiiins of Fgypt, are, in a great degree, the story of war. Greece and Kome, in 
 later days, reared the column the triumphal arch and the temple, in honor of war. 
 I^earer to our time, the pastoral Swiss delight to show in rude colors and in ruder 
 linos, their war-like efforts in struggling for liberty on the fields of Sempach, 
 Morgarten and ^Morat; df Tell, and of their greater hero, Winkleried, who, in 
 breaking the enemy's line, died with a sheaf of spears centering their poinj^s in 
 his single breast. The lied Indian paints on his ButJalo robe in uncouth fashion, 
 ihe story of his war path; and through all time, the most refiniid, as well as the 
 rudest nations, have made and perpetuated the records and memorials of war. 
 
 Nearer atid still nearer to our own time, war and its heroes liave been por- 
 trayed on glowing canvas, in marble and in bronze. It is curious, too, to con- 
 template how sacredly and how carefully the story and the meinoriala of war 
 have been })reserved to us. The Iconoclast, in thoughtless rage, broke up the 
 images and destroyed the church relies; but who has ever heard of the wilful 
 destruction of a record or a memon'al of war? There is something strange in 
 diis. — riio invading Prussian, crowds to-dav the galleries of Versailles, that 
 marvelous collection, dedicate*! to "all the glories of Fiance." Here is shown 
 ihe humiliation ol Prussia on a hundred fields, but we liave yet to learn that a 
 single canvas has been injured or a single memorial mutilated. 
 
17 
 
 Blucher, brooding over Iii:j country's wrongp, might well have been pardoned 
 when he insisted upon blowing up tlie Bridge of Jena, on entering Paris after 
 Waterloo; but the better taste and judgment of Wellington stayed tlie old Teu- 
 ton's hand, and the bridge was saved. It was left for the French people of this 
 day, to discuss the propriety of tearirig oil" the bronze that encircles the column of 
 the Place "S^eridonie. But Austria, whose cannon — lost at Austerlitz — furnished 
 the material, lyid whose defeats furnish the stoiy of the scroll, made no such sug- 
 gestion in 1815. A curious instance of this sacredness may be here related. la 
 the town of Coblentz, on the Ehine, (now Prussian territory,) near which a portion 
 of the Grand Army that afterwards invaded Russia was gathered together, there 
 was erected, in 1812, an obelisk in the Great Square, with a fulsome dedication to 
 the Grand Army. Following Napoleon's defeat, in due time a Russian garrison 
 occupied Coblentz. The military governor placed there by the Emperor Alex- 
 ander, instead of destroying the memorial of Russia's proposed degradation, in 
 bitter irony, caused to be inscribed underneath the dedication, the Avords, "Seen 
 and Approved," with day and date, and signing his name at the bottom as Rus- 
 sian Military Commandant cf Coblentz. The added words stand there to thia 
 day. 
 
 The greatest men in art liave portrayed the story of war in every shapes 
 Raphael designed, though he did not paint, the Battle of the I'onte Mola, near 
 Rome, where Constantina hurled Maxentius and his legions into the yellow waves of 
 the Tiber, under the rays of what he supposed to be a supernatural cross shining in 
 the heavens. Leonardo Da Vinci painted the " Battle of the Standard." Michael 
 Angelo sketched, but did not live to paint, the "Bathers at Pisa," that wondi-ous 
 scene, where an army,. surprised when bathing, rush in hot haste naked from the 
 stream, to don quickly their armor and to fight. Some of the best works of mod- 
 ern painters of all nations depict the rage of battle, and appeal from glowing can- 
 vas to the patriotism of their countrymen. 
 
 Our country is not prolific in war art, and it is well that it is so, as it proves 
 us to be a peaceful nation. Trumbull has painted well the story of some of the 
 conflicts of the Revolution ; but, until the time of our ci-^'il strife, our war history 
 has had but few heroic themes. It is not well to foster, or to keep alive too 
 strongly, even in art, the bitterness engendered in the first years of the last de- 
 cade. But if any theme in this eventful history, appeals to us more strongly for 
 remembrance than any other, it is the Battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 Turn we now to the scene before us. Wlien the Legislature of the State of 
 Pennsylvania, in a true spirit of patriotism, determined to order a picture of this 
 great, this decisive battle, a few friends of Mr. Rothermel, who knew his power 
 in other branches of art, believed that lie, a native of our State, could paint this 
 l)icture well. They rejoiced when the order was given to him. How well he has 
 done his work, this audience and posterity must decide. The friends, who have 
 watched the picture from its inception to the present moment, can only say, and 
 this not in pre-judgment, that tAey have not been disai^pohiled. It is no partial 
 T)ictnre. Union and Confederate soldier alike, have had full justice done them. 
 Like two sturdy athletes, well-matched, the contending hosts met, and the best 
 man won. 
 
 I will propliecy that, so long as this canvas holds together, and these colors 
 remain unladed, our countrymen, North and South, East and West, will have a 
 iusi pride in this picture. They will be glad that the Battle of Gettysburg was 
 
18 
 
 fought, and tliev will rejoice that the "Pinch of the Fight" ended as it did. For 
 here our Union was saved, and here we were preserved a nation. Esto perpetua! 
 
 You call for the artist, for the man who*e brain conceived, and whose hand 
 executed tliis work, and it becomes my pleasing duty, in taking this modest, this 
 quiet-looking gentleman by the hand, to introduce Mr. Rothermel. 
 
 With the<e concluding words, Mr. Harrison expended his hand to ths private 
 box, near which he stood, and the artist, 
 
 MR. ROTHERMEL, 
 
 arose in full view uf all the house. He was time and again cheered. 
 Then came the following 
 
 ADDRESS BY COLONEL WILLIAM K'MICHAEL. 
 
 Art, to-night, pays tribute to arms; the genius of the pencil illustrates the 
 genius of the sword; the highest skill of painting depicts the sublimest struggle 
 of patriotism. For in this Picture, titly unveiled in your presence, where beauty 
 may welcome it Avith smiles, and valor and judgment endorse it with approval, 
 we behold a work alike noble in the action which it represents and in the power 
 with which that action is delineated. 2\or should we fail on this occasion to 
 express our satisfoction that the State has shown appreciation of the Battle of 
 Gettysburg by recorduig its story in tiiis best uf all histories, read in a moment 
 but remembered for a lifetime; and, seeing how aiimirably it is executed, 
 how true it is, how vivid, how litelike, showing not the smooth display of a 
 huliday pageant, but the rough eucounter of actual fighi, the glorious but terrible 
 reality of war, we may well exchange congratulations that to so gifted a Pennsyl- 
 vanian as Mr. Pioihermel, was assigned the important service of portraying this 
 pupreme contiict, fought upon Pennsylvania soil, largely maintained by Penn- 
 sylvania soldiers, and planned, directed, and victoriously consummated by the 
 most distiiiguished of Pennsylvania generals. 
 
 But not to us alone, nor to our State, belong the fame and the consequence of 
 this great battle. Its result shaped the nation's life, its glory is the nation's 
 property. For, about those once peaceful hills, now historic from bloodshed, 
 hostile armies determined the final issue of the antagonistic ideas which were the 
 occasion and the support of the war; there rebellion made its strongest assault 
 i.pon government; there caste had its most critical encounter with freedom, and 
 the disintegrating spirit of secession with that of national integrity and Union. 
 The great wave of Southern invasion spending iliere its })ower, ebbed back never 
 ,o return, and when Lee and his follower;;, after such gallant and persistent 
 endeavors as make us admire their courage, even M'hile we condemn their purpose, 
 turned again, baffled and defeated, to retrace tiieir sreps across the Potomac, they 
 started on that portentous march whicli was to end only by the capitulation at 
 the Appomotax. This is not a mere battle then — it is an epoch. This is not a 
 Picture only — it is an epic — a national struggle, a n.aional record. And so, cod- 
 Bcious alike of the magnitude of the work and of the event which it celebrates, 
 let us have this canvas hung where the whole nation may see it. Let it rest in 
 the shadow of old Lidependence Hall, so that the traveler from every State and 
 from every clime, pausing to look upon the sacred precincts where our liberties 
 
19 
 
 were proclaimed, may learn also of the Lloody ordeal by which those liberties 
 were preserved and perpetuated. 
 
 "We assemble to-night in a season of profound public quiet. Across the 
 ocean rival nations are contending, as Gaul and Saxon renew their ancient 
 struggle for mastery, but no echo of the strife is heard within our own borders. 
 The sword is in truth turned into a plowshare, and the desolating march of 
 armies exchanged for the peaceful tread of the husbandman. Ko martial pro- 
 clamations now, no roll of drums in the street, no glowing appeals from the ros- 
 trum. It is our taxes we growl about, not our tactics ^ trade that we want, not 
 treops; and we are interested in the list of customers and clients, not in the 
 muster roll of recruits. These are the piping times of pe;vce; no great jierils; no 
 great emotions. The barracks are gone; the hospital broken up; the tents aban- 
 doned. But as I see once again, in the scene before us, tlie blue coat, the 
 cartridge box, the musket, the wounded hero, the dying patriot, they recall a host 
 of memories that thrill me like a trumpet. 
 
 The years retire. Time rolls backward in its flight. It is April IG, 18G1, 
 and I stand again in yonder armory, with a crowd of young comrades clamoring 
 about me as we rally with vows and acclamations around the uplifted stars and 
 stripes. Iso idea then of gain, or lucre, or personal advantage; but books drop- 
 ped, counting-rooms deserted, workshops closed — a single thought, a common 
 aspiration — the country assailed, the Union to be saved. For even while we 
 gather the South foments with angry treason, States break their allegiance, officers 
 their oaths, rebellion flaunts it ensigns, our flag is tired on, Sumpter is over- 
 whelmed. Everywhere citizens hurry to their councils, troops to their standards, 
 the air is full of the auguries of war, banners fly upon the breeze, hand grasps 
 hand, political differences are forgotten, as all rise with majestic resolution in 
 answer to the call to arms of their faithful President. Ah, friends, when we sicken 
 at the corruption that rots about us, let us not forget the clear virtue of that trying 
 time, when we dread the product of the future, let us be cheered by that noble 
 impulse of the past; when we weary of the burden of debt that is upon us, let us 
 remember why it Mas assumed, and that if of his own countrymen Walpole's bitter 
 expression be true, that "Every man has his price," when our honor and our 
 dignity as a nation were in question, billions were not enough to purchase the 
 American people. 
 
 Then came the thick of the war, with our varying reverses and successes, the 
 nation growing calmer, but not less resolute, and through it all our loyal women 
 sustaining the cause with unwavering fldelity. It is a fitting part of these ceremo- 
 nies that they should be present, and with them one who was conspicuous among 
 these gentler allies by her untiring ministrations, the story of whose good deeds 
 has been told among the angels by many a soldier whose dying anguish she has 
 assuaged, whose orphan children she has so tenderly protected. So the war went 
 on until the early summer of 1863, which found Kosecrans pushing forward 
 his columns towards Georgia, and Pemberton's army closed as in a vice at Vicks- 
 burg by the tenacious and indomitable Grant. But while in the West there was 
 promise of triumphs, in the East the aspect was more dubious; for Lee, with a 
 thoroughly disciplined and highly elated army, had left Virginia, crossed through 
 Maryland, and in the last days of June was actually threatening the capital of 
 Pennsylvania. The situation was extremely critical, and it was most 
 fortunate for the country that it could confront the bold legions of the invaders 
 
20 
 
 with tlie war tried veterans of the noble Army of the Potomac. If they had 
 Pickett and Jolmston, Stnart, Eill, Hood, and Longstreet, we gladly challenged 
 ihem with Birney and Ecynolds, Geary and Bufoid, Hancock, and glorious 
 old Sedgwick, and to the sagacious direction of the rebel leader, could oppose 
 the cool head and stout heart of the intrepid iVIeade. Under his orders our 
 army was pushed rajiidly forward to check the advancing march of the enemy, 
 and on the first of July the heads of the opposing columns met near the town of 
 Gettysburg, when a sharp engagement took place, in which the chivalrie Pioynolds 
 was slain, but not till his quick military vision had detected the vantage ground, 
 and his movements enabled our forces to occupy it. Our troops were placed from 
 the hill which yon see in the background, which is Eound Top, along to an 
 eminence to the right, the enemy taking position against our front. Next day, 
 July the 2d, saw desperate fighting, with such fierce assaults as tried our fellows 
 to their marrow, and the night fell upon a field covered with dead, and hospitals 
 crowded with wounded. But no talk of leaving, for here we win the field or here 
 we perish on it. The second day's fighting lias compressed our left, but not 
 weakened it, for the line if shorter is more compact; but the enemy has gained 
 some advantage on the right, and effected a lodgment,, which threatens that flank. 
 The night of the second is still prolonged in the sombre darkness of the early 
 bours of the morrow, as batteries take position and troops are disposed to regain 
 the ground, and at daybreak the cannons pour forth their fierce summons of 
 removal; then, the infantry moving forward to the encounter, there follow four 
 hours of almost uninterrujited musketry, till the persistent valor of our men retake 
 the hills, and the integrity of the line is recovered. 
 
 It is 12 o'clock, July 3d, and to-morrow wiilbe the anniversary of ourindepen- 
 dence. What tidings of joy or of sorrow shall its bells proclaim to the people. 
 Gird your loins, ye yeomen of our legions, for it is honor and liberty, an tLa nation 
 for which you are contending ! Twelve o'clock, and tlie heart of nature seems 
 almost to cease its beating in the intensity of dread expectation, while the eflul- 
 gent sun, looking down at high meridian, seems as of old to stand still in its 
 course, as though shrinking apjialled from the fearful slaughter it shall witness. 
 The pause of carnage, the brink of fate, for as the great orb bends slowly toward 
 the western horizon and marks the single hour ujion the dial, a signal gun 
 breaks the solemn stillness. 
 
 And then from the line of the enemy, all along those hills, where 
 his masses lie waiting, there bursts forth a tempest of flame and smoke and 
 terrific cannonading, such as this continent never before witnessed ; nor seems to 
 slacken its thundering death hail, until, from the sulphurous canopy, a part of the 
 rebel front is seen advancing. Now for the tug of war! Now for the death-grip 
 of the battle I For yonder come Pickett's men, who swear by the I.,one Star they 
 never have been beaten, and never will be, and on their either flank warriors of 
 a score of fights. 
 
 Eighteen thousand tested veterans, wrotight into a Titanic war bolt — shaft of 
 adamant, edges of steel — hurled forth to crush our centre, with ponderous onslaught. 
 As they start, down rides Hancock along our line, superb that day in the beauty 
 of his valor. "Here they come!" he cries out cheerily. "Here they come, in 
 three lines of battle ! Steady, men, ste-ady !" "All right. General ! we are ready ! 
 We hold this line, or die on it!" But now, as they develop in the fields and 
 move forward, our artillery rains destruction. It lakes them witli shot, it rends 
 
21 
 
 them with shell, rnitil on right and left they falter and stagger. Their flanks are 
 crumbling, hut their centre keeps firm. Oh ! stay them, Pickett. Your men of 
 iron, they seem too brave to kill! But on they come, and on, and on, till we see 
 their faces and hear their veils. These are not men; they are furies, maddened 
 with treason, frenzied with hate. Now, fire! comrades, fire! I"=p and at them I 
 Fight, men, fight for your wives and your cliildren, and your homes. They sweep 
 on us like demons — are at the guns, are on the walll hand to hand, steel to steel, 
 knife to knife — valor of pati'iots, rage of devils. Now, Gushing, give them your 
 canister! Now, Woodrufi", tear them with your grape! Ilallto the rescue! 72d 
 do^vn on them like tigers! Flank them, Staimard! Crush them, (Jibbon ! Ma.sh 
 them, Webb! They reel, they waver, their colors are going! They break, they 
 break! They retreat, they retreat! The charge is repulsed, the battle is won. 
 All honor to our heroes who survive ; all reverence for those who have fallen ; 
 all praise to their gallant leader, and all thanks unto God who gave us the victory I 
 After repeated calls, 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE, 
 
 who was seated in a private box, arose and said- 
 
 My FmEXDfe: — I thank you sincerely for thus honoring me with your calls, 
 and the more since I am only a spectator here. We are assembled to-night to do 
 honor to one, the artist, who has painted the greatest battle of the war. It would 
 be inappropriate in me to say anything about the battle, and particularly after 
 the eloquent manner in which you have just heard it described; but I take this 
 occasion to bear my testimony to the correctness and fidelity with which this 
 picture has been painted, and lo the great labors of the artist, Mr. Rothermel. 1 
 have had some connection with the picture, so far as having been acquainted with 
 Mr. Kothermel since the time he was appointed to paint it. When I first met 
 him and learned he was to paint the Battle of Gettysburg, I said to him what 
 really was my sincere view, that I thought he had almost as hard a task as I 
 had to win the battle [applause] ; and if you will remember all the while, 
 that this battle covered a space of over twenty S([uare miles, that it lasted 
 for three days, that it had involved in it over two hundred thousand men, 
 and that it was to be put on a space of 32 by 18 feet, you will see that the artist 
 had a great deal to do. In the first place he had to select some special and particular 
 episode of this battle, it being impussible to show the whole; and then, with great 
 judgment, he had to prtsfUt a scene full of the life and energy and strength of a 
 great battle-fieM. After that selection there were many things not known to many 
 of you, not known to him who was to labor in the description of the episode. He 
 was perfectly ignorant of the battle in all its details; he had to study out every 
 thing he desired to re}>resent. His difficulties were great, and there were great diffi- 
 culties in the way of his getting accurate information. The persons to whom he 
 applied coidd hardly give it. though engaged in the conflict, for in the excitement 
 of battle men lake but little noiiee of tilings transpiring around them. I, myself, 
 have not seen thiugs on the battle-field, and often when asked in relation to them, 
 T always say that I cuii't say they didn't take place, but that J didii'tsee them. 
 
 The General here at so)ae length dwelt upon this difficulty and ciher diffi- 
 culties in the way of the aitist, and said that the only error in tne picture was one 
 in relation to him>:eiF. Tiie artist had painted him on it, when in reality he was 
 not on the scene at tlie moment jf ti;ne selected, not arriving there until some 
 
22 
 
 few minutes afterwards. He then, referring to different points of the picture, 
 described the battle in connection with it, and concluded his address by saying 
 that it taught one lesson strongly, among others— the evil and the horror of war. 
 
 MR. M'CULLOUGH 
 
 was tlien introduced, and read in excellent style Janvier's poem on the " Rattle 
 of Gettysburg." He was warmly applauded. 
 
 GENERAL SHERMAN, 
 
 who hud loft the seat he at first had occupied in the house, and was now with 
 (leneral Meade in the box, was then loudly called for, and responded in a few 
 remarks : 
 
 He said it was hardly fair to call on him when he was only a spectator. He 
 had not been at the Battle of Gettysburg, but at that time was far away at Yicks- 
 burg. Upon the State of Pennsylvania he passed a handsome compliment for 
 her liberality and patriotism, in having preserved on canvas a scene of the battle 
 which had been fought on her soil, and expressed a hope that other States would 
 imitate her example. He agreed with the words of General Meade, that many 
 good lessons could be gathered from sucli a painting, especially to the young, 
 chief among which was a lesson about the evils of war. 
 
 When he Had concluded the audience dispersed 
 
3?:ROG:E!E!IDlDNrc3-S 
 
 r 
 
 IN RELATION TO THE FIRST EXHIBITION OF 
 
 R F. Ruthermel's Picture of the "Battle of Gettj'sbupg." 
 
 " Philadelphia September 12th, 187Q. 
 
 Stated meeting of the Directors of tlie Pennsylvania Academy of the Fiae 
 Arts. 
 
 Present — Messrs. Cope, (President,) Harrison, Clagliorn, Stevenson, Gibson, 
 Struthers and Sartam (^Secretary). 
 
 The minutes of the last meeting -were read and apjoroved. After the regular 
 business was finished, Mr. Harrison stated to the meeting his views rehitive to 
 the propriety of taking such steps as would keep the Academy before the public, 
 and do away with the idea that the Institution was entirely inactive. A favor- 
 able opportunity for doing so, was now presented in the near approach to comple- 
 tion of Mr. Kothermel's picture of the Battle of Gettysburg, and which is to be 
 exhibited to the public in this city. 
 
 The importance and merit of the work itself, added to the circumstance that it 
 Avill belong to the State, and was painted to adorn the State Capitol, will doubtless 
 render its exhibition an event in the history of Art in this city. Should its exhi- 
 bition be conducted under the auspices of the Academy, and in a gallery provided 
 therefor by the Institution, the eflect would be to reflect credit on the Academy, 
 and aid its future operations. After general interchange of views on the subject, 
 it was on motion, Resolved, that a committee be appointed by tlie President to 
 consider the matter ; and the committee was then appointed as follows : Messrs. 
 Harrison, Struthers, Gibson and Morris." 
 
 "Philadelphia October 17th, ISTO. 
 Special meeting of the Directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. 
 
 Present — Messrs. Cope, Harrison, Clagliorn, Sarttiiii, Stevenson, Fell and 
 Gibson. 
 
 After the regidar business was over, Mr. Clagliorn called the attention of the 
 Directors to the circumstance that Mr. Rothermel's picture of the Daltle of 
 Gettysburg was nearly ready ior exhibition, and that the artist had succeeded iu 
 
24 
 
 « 
 
 olitaiiiiiir,'.'! )il.ire whereon to erect abnildiiit;' in wliich to fli'^play it properly. He 
 thouglil a work of such importance jn-odiued in our midst, called for the adop- 
 tion of unusual measures in first opening it to the public, and that it w'as proper 
 that the Academy should connect itself with tlie occasion, so as to assist in 
 imparling to it as much cdat as possible. 
 
 The Directors entertained this sentiment, as was shown by their action in rela- 
 tion to the subject at their meeting Scjit ember 12th. It was accordmgly on 
 motion, Jlenolved, that the entire Board of Directors he constituted a committee of 
 the whole to take charge of the arrangements for the opening exhibition of Mr. 
 Eothermel's picture, and that a letter be addressed by the President to the 
 artist, asking that they may be permitted to act on the occasion in the manner 
 proposed." 
 
 LETTER OF CALEB CO.pE. ESQ., TO P. F. ROTHERMEL, 
 
 "Pennsylvania AnuliMiiy ol'tlie Fine Arts, I'hiladeliibiii, Nov.lOtli, 1S70. 
 p. F. ROTUERMEL, EsQ. 
 
 Dear .Sir: — Your friends and fellow members of the Pennsylvania Academy of 
 the Fine Arts, have a just ])ride in the extraordinary success which has attended 
 your efibrts to portray the leading incident in the great Battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 A w'ork so full of merit, emanating from the patriotic sentiment of our noblt* 
 Commonwealth, and appealing directly to the warmest sympathies of the peopL, 
 should not be permitted to come ])efore our citizens under the circumstance? 
 attendant upon the exhibition of an ordinary ])ainting. 
 
 For your sake, therefore, and for the universal interest felt in the subject, the 
 Board of Directors of this Institution, liave informally desired me to request that 
 you wlii allow the first public display of your great Picture, to be made under 
 their auspices, at the Academy of Music, on some evening during the next montli. 
 
 Anticipating a favorable answer, 
 
 I am, very truly yours, 
 
 C.VLEB COPE, Pres." 
 
 , LETTER OF P. F. ROTHERMEL TO CALEB COPE, ESQ. 
 
 " I'I,iluclol]>liia, Xovemlicr Htli, 1870. 
 
 Cai,i:b CorE, Esq., 
 
 T'resident rennsylvania Academy of the Vino Arts, 
 My dear Sir: — Your communication on behalf of the P>oard of Directors of the 
 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in relation to the Picture of the 'Battle 
 oi Gettysburg,' 1 esteem as an exceeding high compliment to my earnest eflbrt at 
 representing an episode in that great event upon canvas. 
 
25 
 
 As an evidence of tlieir favorable opinion of my work, and as a disposition to foster 
 American Art, I frankly accept the proposal of the Board you represent, that 
 the Picture be opened to the public, under their auspices, at the Academy of 
 Music, in the month of December. 
 
 Accept my thanks for your kind expressions. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, &c., 
 
 r. F. EOTHEEMEL." 
 
 " Pliiladelpbia November ISth, ISTO. 
 
 Special meeting of the Directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine 
 Arts, as a committee of the whole on the exhibition of Mr. Rothermcrs Picture 
 of the Battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 Present — Messrs. Cope, Claghorn, Struthers, Morris and Sartain. Mr. Cope in 
 the chair, j\Ir. Sartain, Secretary. 
 
 The Chairman stated that the meeting had been convened for the purpose of 
 taking action on the subject set forth in the resolution adopted at the last meeting 
 of the Directors, relating to the opening exhibition of Mr. Kuthermel's picture. 
 
 It being deemed advisable to confide the preparation to a sub-committee, it 
 "was on motion, Mesohed, that a sub-committee of three, be appointed by the 
 jhairman, to attend to the details of the opening of Mr. Eothermei's picture of 
 the Battle of Gettysburg at the Academy of Music. The following gentlemen 
 were appointed as a sub-committee, viz., Messrs Ciaguorn, Harrison and Struthers." 
 
 The first official act of the above sub-committee, Avas to address the following 
 letter to the Governor of the Conimonwealtli : 
 
 " Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, December 2d, 1870. 
 
 To His Exceli^ency, John "W. Geaky, 
 
 Governor of Pennsj'lvania. 
 
 Sir: — The undersigned, a committee appointr-d in accordance with proceedings 
 printed on the annexed slip,* most particularly desire that you may make it 
 convenient to be present on the occasion mentioned. As Governor of our noble 
 Commonwealth, to the patriotism and liberality of whose Legislature we owe this 
 great work of Historic Art, and as a prominent and distmguished actor in the 
 momentous struggle, which it so well portrays, it seems specially fitting that 
 you, Sir, should be present and take part in the proceedings attendant upon the 
 first introduction of the picture to the public. Vv"e, therefore, earnestly request 
 you to be present at the Academy of Music in this city, on the evening of Tues- 
 day, December 20th. In dn^ time a programme will be sent to you setting forth 
 the character of the ceremonies. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 James L. Claghorn, 
 ' William Strutkers, 
 
 Joseph Harrison, Jr., 
 
 Committee of Arrangement." 
 
 * Slip contained, Caleb Cope's letter to Mr. Rotbermel, and reply of the latter, gee pages 20 ouq 21, 
 
26 
 
 tOPY OF LEHER SENT TO INVITED GUESTS. 
 
 rennsylvania Academy of the Fiuo Arts, PhilaJolphia, Dec. 2d, 1870. 
 
 To — 
 
 ^In a'spirit of ."commendable patriotism and liberality, the Legislature of the 
 State of Pennsylvania at the close of the civil war. ordered from our distinguished 
 artist,^iP..F. EoTHERMEL,^a Picture of the Battle of Getty.sburg, of such dimen- 
 sions'as would give a good idea of this great and decisive struggle. The Picture 
 is now finished. The friends of the artist, deeming his success so striking in the 
 great work which he has conceived and executed, wish to present it to the public 
 for the first time in such way as will mark the event as an epoch in American 
 Art, and as an appeal to the patriotism of our people in all coming time. Tlie 
 Picture, under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, will 
 be unveiled at the Academy of Music in this city, on the Evening of December, 
 20th inst., accompanied by appropriate ceremonies. 
 
 if You are respectfully invited to be present on this occasion. Jf accepted, an 
 early answer is requested, so that tickets may be sent you in due time. 
 
 Respectful ly, 
 
 James L. CLAanoRN, ^ 
 
 Joseph IIakrisox, Jr., ^'^— ^^1 
 
 VVlIiLIAM feXRUTHERS, J 
 
 « rLiladoliOiia December ITtb, 1873. 
 Special meeting of tl>.e Directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine 
 Arts, as a committee of the Avliole on the opening exhibition of Itothermel's pic- 
 ture of the Battle of Gettysburg : i»- 
 
 Present — Messrs. Claghorn, Jessap, Struthers and Sartaln. Mr. Jessup in the 
 chair. Mr. Sartain^ Secretary. 
 
 Mr. Claghorn stated that the meeting liad been called to hear a report from 
 the sub-committee of all that had been accomplished since its appointment, and 
 also to settle some matters of detail necessary to be arranged, prior to the evening 
 of the 20th inst., when the opening exliibition would take place at the Academy 
 of Music. A verbal report was then made. 
 
 The names of invited guests were, to some extent, classified in the general ap- 
 propriation of locality. It was agreed that the invited guests should first assem- 
 ble in the Foyer of the Academy, and afterwards jiroceed from thence to the 
 Beats assigned to them in the house. It was also agreed that the members of the 
 committee wear a distinctive badge (a small ribbon on the button-hole), on the 
 evening of the exliibition, and that they should meet in the Foyer at seven o'clock 
 precisely, when their several duties should be made known to them. It was 
 further agreed, that the Committee of the whole, should hold a meeting at twelve 
 o'clock noon, on Tuesday the 20th of December, and the Secretary was directed to 
 nM4ue3t punctual attendance at both meetings, especially ir. ihe evening." 
 
27 
 
 Phlladelpliia December 20th IST'J. l2otbck noon. 
 Special meeting of the Directors of tlie Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine 
 Arts, as a committee of the whole on the exhibition of Mr. Eotnermel's Picture. 
 
 Present — Messrs. Claghorn, Strnthers, Dr. Lewis, Jessup and Sartain, Dr. 
 Lewis in the chair. Mr. Sartain^ Secretary. 
 
 Various matters of detail came up and were disposed of, and then particular 
 seats were marked off for each individual guest who had accepted , wlien a* half past 
 three o'clock the committee adjourned to meet again in the evening, at tlie ap- 
 pointed hour. 
 
 The Directors met in the evening at the Foyer of the Academy of Music, and 
 at the time appointed, proceeded with the invited guests to ttie seats reserved for 
 them in the body of the house. The President of the United States had been in- 
 vited to be present, but public duties prevented his attendance. Among the dis- 
 tinguished guests present, were Greneral William T. Sherman, General Mead , 
 General George Cadwallader, General Patterson, Surgeon Keal, General Van 
 Vilet, General Owen, General CoUis, General Mulholland, Admiral Turner, 
 Commodore Adams, Colonel Wra. McMichael, Colonel "VVni. II. Harrison, Col- 
 onel Brinton, Colonel Mitchel, Judge Cadwallader, Judge Ludlow, Judge Allison, 
 Jddge Pierce, Senator Connell, and Messrs. McConaghy, Markley, Kerns and 
 G'atz, Committee of the Legislature, ordering the picture. lion. Morron 
 McMichael, Hon. John W. Forney, Bishop Wood, Rev. Mr. Suddards, Eev. 
 Mr. Furness, Rev. Mr. Hutter, Albert Bierstadt, Theo. Cuyler, Thad. Norris, 
 W. H. Eisenbrey, W. H. Harrison, David D. Paul, Thomas Hicks, J. H. B. 
 Latrobe, Wm. V. McKean, A. I Drexel, Daniel Dougherty, H. C. Harrison, 
 Dawson Coleman, Wm. B. Mann, Coleman Sellars, Joseph Patterson, Edward 
 Patterson, F. I Dreer, Alfred Jessup; witli many other gentlemen. Many 
 distinguished ladies of our city and State, were also present. 
 
CPi^SriOTsTS O^ TXTE F:R-Et 
 
 From the rnuU'c Lcdrjer, December 2SUi, 1S70. 
 
 O'tra Own Artists. — Tliere is now on public exhibition in this city Rothermel's 
 ^reat -work, representing the Ealile ofGettysburg — tlie largest I)attle I'icture, with 
 peihaps one exception^ in t!)e ^\o.rld. Its magnitude, however, is not its chief 
 merit. In conception and execution it well deserves the praise it has largely 
 leceived from competent art critics, as being perhaps the liest as well as the largest 
 var picture on this side of the Atlantic. Its recent exhibition at the Academy of 
 Music in this cl'y, when :t was first ^(resented to the public view, was intended by 
 the Commiitee of t-ie i^.cademy of Fine Arts, wJio directed and arranged that 
 exhibition, to do sometliing more than to commend the artist, by availing them- 
 selves of that opportunity to do lionor to American Art. 
 
 On that evening, at the Academy, honored as the occasion was, by the pre- 
 sence of that great commander whose brilliant and conquering march across the 
 continent from the Mississippi to the South Atlantic coast, has made the name 
 of Sherman illustrious; with that other illustrious soldier, !Meade, wliose name 
 is identified Mith the great battle of Gettysburg; with brave ofiieers and gallant 
 men there who shared in that mighty and successful struggle; with solemn mem- 
 ories of the dead lemainmg on that bloody field, whose places are missed in 
 many a sorrowing household — with these associations and memories, the com- 
 mittee felt that something more might be done, than to present any one name as 
 the sole object of jjraise or homage. As we understood that meeting, its purpose 
 was to do honor to the power and value of American art, as illustrated in that 
 Irrge and magnificent picture, and in view of that canvas and the expression 
 which Mr. Rothermel has given to it, ar.d in view of what our other ai-tists have 
 done and are now doing, have we not been, are we not now as a people too indil- 
 f^M-ent to the culture and encouragement of the higher arts in our country? 
 Have we not American art, not only in the sense of our country being the resi- 
 dence of artists, but, also, in the sense of the spirit and tone of their work cor- 
 responding to the ideal of our national greatness and glorv, and of the loftv 
 hnpesofthe future of our Republic? Have we not had prophets with us who 
 received no honor at our hands? Fiom this quiet city of ours, in its earlier 
 times, there departed \\\st and Leslie. Here, they were unhonorcd and unsung, 
 and would probably have remained so. Abroad, they acquired great success and 
 high renown. 
 
 We do not forget thai there have been, and are now in our city, liberal geiiile- 
 men wfio have given their time and money, to the deveIo])ment of native art, and 
 ■^e freely give them praise. But much more should be doue in this direction, 
 ^nd we would stimulate the thought as the main ])urpose of these remarks, that 
 ii is a duty of American citizenship to promote American art and encourage 
 native artists, for it is doubtless true that we have in our country men of artistic 
 power, with great capacity to expiess theu concei't'ons on canvas and in marble, 
 who lack nothing 1 ut the indispensable encouragement and op]Jortu;iity of doing 
 
29 
 
 so. Surely we have subjects for the pencil of the landscape painter, as sliown i)y 
 Church, Bicrstadt and others, and ive have themes varied and sublime for histori- 
 cal art, as Rothermel has now shoAvn. The State of Pennsylvania, through its 
 Legislature, has done well in ordering this picture to commemorate the important 
 and decisive battle on its own soil. 
 
 The value of the arts of painting, sculpture and architecture, as giving perman- 
 ence to the records by Avhich a knowledge of how men lived and what they did, 
 can be transmitted to future ages, should not be disregarded. We see and tuider- 
 stand ancient Rome better bv 'ooMng at her Coliseum, forum, and ancient temples, 
 although in ruins. Farther back, the Pyramids, obelisks, and scul^Hured and 
 painted tombs of Egypt, tell us nearly all we know of the high civilization of the 
 remote antiquity of that interesting country. Later than either, the religious 
 edifices, and historical and religious art of the middle ages of Continental Europe. 
 remain to the world, associated with the names of Michael Angelo, Raphael, 
 Giotto and Titian, while the names of many of the civil rulers of that day and 
 their deeds are almost forgotten. 
 
 Hymns of praise are being sung almost daily in honor of our abundant energy 
 in developing the material resources of our country, and the glory with which 
 we are crowning the day in which we live. We have tunnelled great moun- 
 tains, bridged mighty rivers, bound the old and new worlds together, and the 
 Atlantic Coast to the far Pacilic Ocean, and have carried our Western civiliza- 
 tion to stand face to face, with that older civilization of the Asiatic East. We 
 have exhumed hundreds of millions of tons of coal, and have wrought into form 
 other hundred of millions of tons of iron, and we have duly registered and re- 
 corded all tills with much self-apin-oval in statistics. And this is noble; but it is 
 not all. Our life here has higher purposes and enjoyments than those created by 
 the blast of tiie furnace and the rolling of the wheel. The value of a refined and 
 elevate<i public sentiment cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. In our devo- 
 tion to the material we may have neglected loo much the culture of the true, the 
 good and the beautiful. The one should be done and the other not left undone. 
 Let us see to it that we make some worthy effort in the right direction. We have 
 men in our country, and in our own city, " native here and to the manor born," 
 with large capacity and fervent love of art, who, unknown to the bustling world 
 outside of their quiet studies, are coloring the* canvas, chiselling the marble, 
 moulding ilie metal into picturesque and beautiful forms — men capable of giving 
 expression to the heroic sentiment in our national character and history ; who, if 
 the citizens of thiis republic will do their duty to them, will with Rothermel, be- 
 queath to the world the creations of their genius to give delight and instruction to 
 coming generations of men. 
 
30 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN REGARD TO MR. ROTHERMElS 
 RIGHT TO EXHIBIT HIS PICTURE. 
 
 LETTER OF JOSEPH HARRISON, JR. 
 
 "221 South ISlh Street, Pbiladeipliia, December 2itli, ISTO, 
 
 -Esq., 
 
 !My Dear Sir: — A lover of Art myself, and one who thinks its encouragement 
 a necessity, if we wish to keep pace with the civilization of the refined nations 
 of the world, I have felt, with many others, a just pride in watching Mr. 
 Eothermcrs Painting from its commencement imtil the unveiling at the Academy 
 of Music. I think the genius that could conceive, and the hand that could 
 execute such a work, confer honor upon our city, our State and the whole nation. 
 It could not have been ordered like a bale of goods. We must wait, until some 
 one appears who can render possible such a result as the Picture now before us. 
 I had great faith in Mr. Kothermel's ability, when the Commission appointed lay 
 our Legislature, ordered tlie I'aititing from him ; and I now believe that no artist, 
 living or dead, of our own country could have produced so fine a werk. Nay, 
 more, with a knowledge of the best works of the kind abroad, I have no hesitation 
 in saying, that no artist of our time could have painted what Mr. Rothermel 
 started to portray, better, if as well as he has done it. At this moment there 
 seems to be a general desire on the part of the public to see the Picture, and the 
 artist has adoi)ted a course that will enable tliem to do this. It appears, how- 
 ever, from the remarks of a few persons, and from statements in some of the 
 join-nals, tliat there is a question as to Mr. Kothermel's legal and moral right to 
 exhibit his picture for jiay or profit, })revi()us to the middle of next July, the 
 term fixed by the contract for its delivery to the state. Those who know the 
 artist best, know that under no consideration could he be induced to infringe 
 either law or morals, in a matter of this kind. If the Painting was sent to Harris- 
 burg at this time, it is well known that there is no place in the capitol building 
 where it can be properly shown, and it might remain rolled up for years, to its 
 probable serious injury, before a fitting i)hice can be jirovided for it. In the 
 meantime, diat portion of the ])eople of our State and city, who would be 
 willing to incur even the expense of going to Harrisburg to see it, would be 
 debarred this pleasure. 
 
 The advent of this Picture marks an e])och, as I think, in American historic 
 art. It should not for a moment be hidden under a bushel. I have never 
 doubted, imder the circiniistances, the legal and moral right of Mr. Rothermel to 
 exhibit his Picture for his own benefit, when and where he pleases, until the full 
 term fixed for its delivery. But, to confirm my opinion, and for my own satisfac- 
 tion, I have asked the advice of an eminent cotmsellor of our city, whose letter to 
 me I enclose. I think his letter disposes of the subject. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 JOSEPH HARRISON, JR." 
 
31 
 
 LETTER FROM THEODORE OWLER, ESQ., TO JOSEPH HARRISON, JR. 
 
 ""Oi Walnut Street, December 24th, 1S70. 
 
 To Joseph Habrison, Ja., Esq. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — You ask me -whether our mutual frier.d, Mr. Eothermel, in 
 view of his relations to the State, has a right to exhibit his Picture of the Battle 
 of Gettysburg, and I answer, That I entertain no doubt that he is fully entitled, 
 both in law and in morals, to do so. It onght to be deemed a sufficient reason to 
 gay, that it was distinctly understood between Mr. Eothermel and the Committee, 
 or more properly Commission, appointed by the Legislature, at the time they 
 made the contract with him, that he should have this right. I am assured by a 
 distinguished Se;iator (Honorable Geo Connell), who is a member of this Com- 
 mission, that such is the fact. I ha^e further and conclusive evidence of it 
 before me, in the form of a Eesolution, adopted unanimously by the Com- 
 mission early in last June, in the following words: 'Philadelphia, June 2, 1870. 
 At a meeting of the Committee ujion the Painting of the Battle of Gettysburg, 
 appointed by the Legislature on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania, it was 
 unanimously Resolved, That in accordance with professional usage and as some 
 expression of our high appreciation of the success of the artist, P. F. Eothermel, 
 in the execution of this Great Historical Painting, this Committee by this action, 
 consent and authorize the artist to exhibit the Painting of the Battle of Gettysburg 
 in such of the cities of this State, and within the United States, as shall be 
 agreeable to him, and receive the proceeds of such exhibition for his jiei-sonal 
 benefit. Attest, Geo. Connell, D. McConfinghy, James N. Kerns, A. D. Markley, 
 A. Hiestand Glatz. 
 
 It would seem to be superfluous to add arguments drawn from the law in 
 support of a right which rests upon an express contract, but if it is important to 
 do 80, I might add that Mr. Eotliermei's Contract provides for the delivery of the 
 Picture in July, 1871. Until that period arrives, it is his property, and not the 
 property of the State, and he may do with his own as he wills. 
 
 It has ever been the custom of artists painting great historical works for 
 public authorities, to exhibit their Pictures for a limited time, before delivering it 
 to the purchaser. Trumbull did so with each of his Paintings, which now fill 
 panels in the Eotunda of the Capitol at Washington, la his Autobiography this 
 fact is stated, and his correspondence with the Government authorities fully 
 recognizing this right, is giveu. This was the case also with Weir's great Picture 
 of the Embarkation of the Pilgrims, wJiich fills another panel of the same 
 Eotimda. Such also was the case wiih Singleton Copley's Picture of the Assault 
 upon Gibralter, painted for the Corporation of the City of London. 
 
 It is believed that such examples might be multiplied indefinitely. This 
 Picture of Mr. Eothermel's represents more than four years' of earnest and absorb- 
 ing thought and study, by a man of genius. Why should the State, and why 
 should any citizen of the State, begrudge him the sum, be it much or be it small, 
 which its exhibitiou for a little time may realize for him. Let us rejoice that in 
 a country where art and taste are just beginning to be rewarded, an opportunity 
 occurs which enables the citizen to prove his conviction of the fact, that men of 
 genius in any department of art and taste, are the truest and the greatest treasures 
 of the State. 
 
 Truly yours, 
 
 THEO. CUYLEE .» 
 
I»U<OCEEI>I3Src3-S 
 
 fctiniiiM mniux :nul the Jijrtislafurc of ; jeniifjiiluania, 
 
 RELATING TO THE 
 
 •pICTUI^E OF THE '^JKTTIZ Of '(^ETTYp3Uf\q. 
 
 '^OVERNOR CURTIN, tlie e:u-ncst and' reliable friend of the Rennsylvania 
 "^-3 Soldiers from the commencement to the end of the Y/ar of the Rebelllou, 
 and at its close, the originator and practical advocate of the wise Eegislative sys- 
 tem for the support and education of the soldiers' orjihuus, suggested an historical 
 painting commemorative of the Battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 In his Annual Message to the L(^is!ature m Janmiry, 1SR6, anxious and 
 thoughtful to preserve in an enduring form, the theme of the decisive and victori- 
 ous struggle of the Great battle of the Rebellitm, he recommended as follows ■ — 
 
 "As the Batile of Getty.^burg rcsulte;! in a glorious victory, and was in fact 
 tlie beginning of the end of tlic war, and occurred on tiie soil of the Common- 
 wealth, I think it would be well that it shorld be commemorated by an historic;:! 
 painting, to be placed in the Capit<d of the State; ar.d I j-ecommend that tlie 
 Legislature take measures for that iiurpose." 
 
 The Governor's suggestion and recommcr.dation was promptly adopted ly 
 the Legislature, in the following proceedirigs therein: 
 
 F<'li. 7, tSCG. .Tournil n. K., ISf.fi. V. ISO. 
 J. N. Kerns offered the following resolution, which was thrice read, considcre<l 
 and adopted, viz. : 
 
 Resolved, (if the Renate ccmcnr) Tl)al. so mucii of the Governor's Message as 
 refers to the Report of David Wills, E.-q., Trcsident of the Holiliers' National 
 Cemetery, at CTcttysburg, relative to the ])rocnriii<; of a commemorative historical 
 Painting, to be i)iaced in tlie Capitol of the State, be lefencd lo a joint (.'omiaillee 
 of three Members of each House. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Kerns, ]\rarkley and A!K n be the said Committee, and 
 that the Clerk inform the Senate of the .same. 
 
 Feb. 13, Ibid., p. 25o. The Speaker announced lli;i( he had a^ifioinfed l^.Iessrs. 
 Kerns, Marklcy aiul Allen the Committee, to wl.oni \v ;s n I'ernd so much of tlie 
 Governoi-'s Annual Message as refers to a Memorial r.unni;^, descriptive of the 
 Battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 Feb. 16, flid, p. '190. 'Hie Senate concurred in the re-olntion of tlic House, 
 with an amendment ill v,lii( h (he House was re(jU( l.d to concur. Tlie House 
 concurred, and the resoluticu w:v' iicuh^ lo read as foilo-vs, vi:'.. : 
 
33 
 
 Resolved, (if the Senate concur) That so much of the Governor's Message as 
 refers to the procuring of a commemorative historical Painting of the Battle of 
 Gettysburg, to be placed in tlie Capitol of the State, be referred to a joint Com- 
 mittee of three Members of each House ; and that before entering into any contract 
 upon the subject, the Committee shall report to their respective Houses, a descrip- 
 tion of the painting, its probable cost, and the name of the artist. 
 
 Ordered, That ISIessrs. Council, McConaughy and Clyraer, be the Committee 
 /on the part of the Senate. Said amendment was twice r.ead, considered and con- 
 curred in, and ordered tliat the Clerk inform the Senate of the same. 
 
 April 10, /6k/, p. 931. J. N. Kerns, from the Select Committee on the subject, 
 made report in relation to the procuring of an historical Painting, commemorative 
 of the Cattle of Gettysburg, which was read as follows, viz. : 
 
 That in pursuance of their appointment, they have, in conjunction with the 
 Governor, consulted with a large number of artists and other gentlemen, wliose 
 opinions are entitled to great weight, for the reason that they have for years given 
 the Fine Akts special attention in our own country, an-d also in the old world, 
 where they have spent mu(;h time in examining the various galleries of Art; tliey 
 liave also had the vievv-^ of the distinguished Commander-in-Chief of our army in 
 tlie battle of Gettj-sburg, and of other superior officers, wlio participated, with 
 illustrious valor, in that ever memorable conflict, which it is proposed to com- 
 memorate by Art. 
 
 The great importance of the subject, the deep interest felt in securing a work 
 which shall be alike creditable to the State and honorable to the heroic com- 
 manders, whose names are indelibly associated with the battle, and gratifying to 
 the tens of thousands of our gallant soldiers, embracing more than seventy 
 Pennsylvania regiments, that npon our soil rolled back the tide of rebel invasion 
 in the turning battle of the war, the great diversity of opinion as to the particular 
 study (the place or event) which should be selected as the great theme for a 
 picture, all have concurred to cause the Committee to proceed cautiously, and 
 more time must necessarily elapse before a definite judgment can be reached as to 
 what shall constitute the striking features and leading characteristics of the 
 painting or paintings. 
 
 Tiie Committee have been strongly impressed with the view, that as the 
 subject embraces not merely a single battle but the battles of Gettysburg, involv- 
 ing the grand martial conflict of three distinct days, each of whicli takes rank 
 with the first battles of the world, the proper and successful execution of tlie work 
 may require three paintings, so as to embody a theme from some grand epoch of 
 the struggle of each day. 
 
 Since the Committee were in conference witli Major Genernl Mcnrlc, w!io 
 kindly offered to accomiJany any arlists of distinguished merit to the b;ittU' field, 
 for the purpose of giving all needful explanations as to the particular and stri'<ing 
 iiu'ideiits of the ilirce days' struggle, lie has been called away on duty to St. Louis, 
 .and as an accurate representation of the battle field with its scenery cnn ho 
 properly taken only at the same season of the year in which the battle was fought, 
 the visit of General Meade and the artists may he deferred until the mf)nth of 
 •Tune or July, 
 
 Several Pennsylvania artists of high reputation, and others from other States^ 
 ha\e expressed a desire to be entrusted with the execution of the work. The 
 Committee have been assured, by tliose whose judgments are entitled to confi;lenc«. 
 
34 
 
 that in our own State there may be found artists who are fully equal to the pro- 
 duction of the great historical painting or paintings, which should chronicle the 
 battle and adorn the Capitol. As in their selection they should call to their aid 
 studies by artists, they do not propose to confine the invitation for such studies to 
 the State. 
 
 The Committee take great pleasure in expressing their acknowledgments of 
 the deep and active interest taken by his Excellency, the Governor, in the subject 
 committed to them, and for the many valuable suggestions made by him to the 
 Committee, and to which they have largely deferred in the effort to fulfil the 
 object of their appointment. 
 
 They are also under deep obligations to Generals Meade, Hancock and 
 Crawford, for their counsel, which was essentially important, and for the volun- 
 tary tender of their time and services for the purpose of securing a correct artistic 
 representation of this the greatest battle of the war. They are also much indebted 
 to .Joseph Harrison, Jr., Esq., a well known citizen of Philadeliihia, for bringing 
 them at his private gallery of Art, the finest in the State, into direct intercourse 
 with a number of gentlemen — with the works of the most eminent artists, and 
 whose suggestions and judgments have been highly serviceable to the Committee. 
 
 In conclusion, the Committee recommend the adoption of a section already 
 inserted in the general appropriations, viz.: 
 
 Section 63. That the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Eepresen- 
 tatives, appointed for the purjjose, in connection with the Governor, are hereby 
 authorised and empowered to procure for the State, Paintings of the Battle of 
 Gettysburg, not exceeding three, with authority to obtain studies, and contract for 
 such Paintings, and the Governor is hereby authorized to di-aw the moneys 
 required by his warrant upon the State Ti-easurer. 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Geo. Conxell, J. N. Kerns, 
 
 D. McCoxAUGHY, A. W. jVIarkley, 
 
 A. Heistand Glatz, H. Allen, 
 
 Committee of the Senate. Committee of the IIoup^ of Reps. 
 
 Tlie Legislature took no further action on the subject, and on the 12th of 
 April adjourned sine die. 
 
 Thus it will be observed that the Joint Committee of the Legislature was a 
 Commission. Tlie subject matter and the nature of the duties to be discharged 
 necessarily placed the Committee in that character. The act of the Legislature 
 creating the Ccnnmission, and the highly interesting report made by the Commis- 
 sion to the Legislature two days previous to the final adjournment of the session, 
 show that the Commission was vested with large discretionary powei>s, some of 
 which could 1)C advantageously exercised only at that season f)f the year when the 
 great battle was fought. Tlie authority and labors of the Commission would, of 
 course, terminate when the Pictures of the battle were wholly finislied by the 
 artist and ready for delivery. 
 
 The Commission whose names are attached to the above Keport, after sub- 
 mitting it, lost no time in considering the various claims of the several artists 
 wiili whom tliey had been l)r(>ught into connection, and their labors in the matter 
 of ordering tlie jiicliirc or pictures, illustrating the tiiree days' struggle at Gettys- 
 burg, resullcd ill making the following contract witli a distinguished artist of our 
 own State : 
 
3o 
 
 Memokaxdl^m of a Contract made between the State op Pennsylvania 
 AND P. F. Eothermel, for Painting a Picture or Pictures of thk 
 Battle of GETTYi^BL•RG. 
 
 Memorandum of agreement entered into tliis thirteentli day of July, A. T>. 
 eighteen hundred and sixty-six, by and between tlie undersigned Joint Committee 
 of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Comiiioinvealth of Pennsylvania 
 in connection with the Governor, appointed and emjiowered by act of Assembly 
 to contract for and j^rocure for the said Commonwealth a historical Painting of 
 the Battle of Gettysburg, fought in July, 1863, of tlie first part, and P. F. 
 Piothcrmel, artist, of the city of Philadelphia, of the second j)art. It is agreed by 
 the said Committee and Governor, to engage and contract with the said P. F. 
 Rothermel, for and on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania, and by the said P. F. 
 Kothermel, artist, on his part, to undertake to execute a historical painting of the 
 Battle of Gettysburg, fought in July, A. D. 1863, upon the terms and conditiiwis 
 set forth in tne following specifications, to wit: First, The said artist undertakes 
 to execute the i)roposed painting of the Battle of Gettysburg in the best style of 
 his art, of a size not less than thirty feet in lentrlh and fifteen feet in height; the 
 same embracing a Landscape View, with Battle Scene in large figures, embodying 
 some great epoch in said battle, and also in connection therewith, a panel border, 
 not less than three feet in width, extending around tlie principal painting, Second, 
 The design for the said principal painting is to be executed by the said artist, first 
 in a study of not less (6) six feet in length by (5) five feet in height; Avhich study 
 is to embrace all the features. of the proposed painting, on a reduced scale. The 
 theme or subject to be selected by the said Committee and Giovernor, in consulta- 
 tion with the said artist, and to conform in the main to the views of said Com- 
 mission. The said study to be completed within one year from the date of this 
 agreement; which study shall be stibject to the approval of said Committee, and 
 if satisfactory to them to be accepted, but if otherwise not to be accepted until the 
 said study or anotlier shall be made satisfactory. Three, The said painting is to 
 be, in artistic merit, equal to the best of the said artist's former works, and in 
 point of accuracy to be, so far as practicable, historically true, which requirements 
 shall be indispensable perquisites to its acceptance. Four, The jianel border is to 
 contain the great conflicts of the Battle of Gettysburg, and such interesting episodes 
 as shall be determined by the Committee, in consultation with the said artist, and 
 with like condition as to being satisfactory, as in the case of the principal painting. 
 Fifth, The ]irice to be paid for the said painting, Avith panel verdu, executed as 
 above specified, and executed in the most finished style of his art, with ajjpropriate 
 frame, and including the delivery and placing of the painting in the State Capitol 
 in a place to be designated by the Committee or State Authorities, shall be 
 Twenty-five Thousand Dollars. Sixth, The price shall be payable as follows, to 
 wit: When all the material shall have been obtained and the requisite sketches 
 completed by said artist and the execution of the study commenced, Three Thous- 
 and Dollars shall be paid ; when the study shall be completed and accepted by 
 the Committee, the further sum of Seven Thousand Dollars, and the residue of 
 the jjrice proportionally with the progress ol the work, reserving Ten Thousand 
 Dollars, fo be jjaid tipon the completion and delivery. Seventh, In the contin- 
 gency of the death of the said artist during the progress of the painting, or in the 
 event of his failure, from any cause, to commence, to progress with, or to finish the 
 
36 
 
 i«ai(l painting, the C'Mnraittee reserve tlie right to employ such artist as they may 
 jiclect to proceed wilii and complete the said painting. Eighth, The said painting 
 is to be completed and delivered, as above sti[)ulated, within three years from the 
 date of this agreement; but the failure of the said artist to complete it within said 
 period is not to work a forfeiture of payment, as herein stipulated, without six 
 month's notice after the expiration thereof; that such forfeiture will result in the 
 event of a continued failure to complete. And the Committee reserve the i)ower 
 for a sufficient reason now unforseen, should such arise, to make a reasonable 
 extension of such time, so that the whole i)eriod for comjjletion shall not exceed 
 Five vcars from this date. Ninth, The said Joint Cominiltee and (rovernor 
 contract for the State of Cennsylvatiia, and ol)ligate the said Commonwealth for 
 the performance of the stipulations above made on its behalf, by virtue and 
 pursuance of their appointment for said purpose, and of the jjrovisions of the Fifty 
 ninth section of the Act approved the eleventh day of April, A. D., lS()t), entitled 
 an Act to provide for the ordinary expenses of the Govennncnt and other general 
 and specific appropriations, which section is as follows, to wit: 'Section 59. That 
 the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, appointed for 
 the purpose, in connection with the Governor, are hereby authorized an'^ im- 
 powered to procure for the State a painting of the Battle of Gettysburg, with 
 authority to obtain studies and contract for such painting, and the Governor is 
 authorized to draw the moneys required l)y his warrants upon the State Treasurer/ 
 In testimony of which agreement, in accordance with the foregoing specifications, 
 the said Joint Committees and said Governor and the said artist have hereunto 
 fubscribed their names, on the day of the date thereof. 
 
 Attest, Signed, 
 
 J. ROBLKY DUNGLISON. A. G. CUKTIN, 
 
 J. F. Hartkanft. Governor of Penna. 
 
 Attest, Signed, 
 
 J. EOBLEY DUNGLISON. GeORGE CoNXELL, 
 
 J. F. Hartbakft. D. McConaugiiy, 
 
 A. Heistanu Glatz, 
 
 Senate CommiUee, 
 Signed, 
 
 James N. Kerns, 
 A. I). Marki^ey, 
 II. Allen, 
 
 House Commit ('•4^, 
 Signed, 
 
 r. F. llOTIIERMEL. 
 
 A resolution was adopted unanimously by tlie Commission early in last June, 
 in the following words: "Philadelphia, June 2, 1870. At a meeting of the Com- 
 mittee upon the painting of the Battle of Gettysburg, appointed by tlie Legislature 
 on behalf of the State of Peniisylvaniii, it was unanimously Resolved, That in 
 accordance with professional usage and as some expression of our high ai>preciii- 
 tion of the success of the artist, P. F. Rothermel, in the execution of this Great 
 Ilistoricul Painting, this Committee by this action, consent and authorize th« 
 artist to exhibit the painting of the Battle of Gettysburg in such of the cities of 
 Ibis State, and within the United States, as shall be agreeable to him, and receive 
 
37 
 
 the proceeds of such exhibition for his personal benefit. Attest, Ot-o. Conriell, 
 D. McConanghy, James N. Kerns, A. D. Markley, A. Heistand Glatz." 
 
 The Commission, mindful of their duties under the above contract, had, 
 individually and collectively, frequent interviews with Mr Rotliermel, at his 
 studio in Philadelphia, during the several years that the picture was in hand, 
 thus giving much time and thouglit to the subject, altliougli their term of office 
 in the Legislature had expired, with a single exception (Mr Coiuiell) long before 
 the picture was finished. They are still giving and intend to give their attention 
 to the work committed to their care, until the artist has completed in a satisfactory 
 manner the smaller pictures included in the contract. How well the Commission 
 liave fulfilled the important and difficult trust which the Legislature had placed 
 in their keeping, the finished principal picture under tlie contract, now before the 
 jMibiic, fully bears witness. How well the public are satisfied witli tlieir labors, 
 tiie numbers that daily visit the exhibition at No. 1003 Chestnut street sufficiently 
 testifies. That the subordinate pictures, yet to be completed by Mr Kothermel, 
 will be equally satisfactory to the Commission and to the public, can scarcely 
 admit of a doubt. 
 
 As the picture neared completion, Mr Eothermel's numcnius friends were 
 desirous that its first introduction to the public should be done in such a manner 
 as would mark the importance of the event, and do credit to our State, whose 
 Legislature had ordered the work, and also to do honor to the artist whose genius 
 had so well fulfilled the task assigned to him. In accordance with this idea, and 
 'under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the picture 
 was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies at the Academy of Music, on the 
 evening of December 20th, 1870, before an enthusiastic and highly appreciative 
 audience. Previous to this merited tribute to Mr Rothermel, Mr Caleb Cope, 
 President af the Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Committee of arrangements, 
 Messrs. Claghorn, Harrison and Struthers, assisted by Colonel Wylie Mitchell, 
 and Messrs. James S. Martin and John Rice, endeavored to find a suitable room 
 to exhibit the picture to the general public, for the benefit of the artist. No such 
 place being available, a site was looked for in a proper locality on which to erect a 
 temporary gallery for this purpose. The vacant lot of ground on Cliestnut street, 
 above Tenth, the property of the late ^liss S. L. Keene, was applied for, and Mrs. 
 Kllen Keene Mitchell, the executrix of the estate, with tl e approval of her 
 counsel, Henry E. Keene, acceeded to tlie solicitation, and cheerfully gave Mr, 
 Bothermel permission to occupy the lot temporarily for the exhibition exclusively 
 of his painting of the "Battle of Gettysburg." 
 
im r^ 
 
 (FROM AN UNPUBllSHhD P^tM. BY ::ENERiL WM. K SMALL.) 
 
 t* -^ 
 
 
 Axu now tliv crowning labor glads ihe eves 
 Of thousand--:, as in awe or pride thev trace 
 
 The Field of GKTTYSBrR<:;. in tints that rise, 
 All lift-like frora the canvas and the place ; 
 
 The mortal struggle for immortal prize. 
 The aguDv and triumph, face to face. 
 
 Stand out before us to inspire anew. 
 
 The valor that is ever Freedom's duel 
 
 ^Vlio. that once kx^ks iijxm that fearful scene. 
 Can ere forget the praise and honor due. 
 
 To heroes who were then, as thev had been 
 
 Through years of strife, to Flag a>cd Coixtry tni©; 
 
 Their pictured storv shall, forever green. 
 Prest-rve their actions, and in everv hue. 
 
 Hallow ihe virtues that prooip.im and grace. 
 
 The glorious recurd of a nob!e race. 
 
 Oh ! who can say what would have been the fate 
 
 Of this great nation, if the bloody tide, 
 ^Vhich tlien mshe<J headlong on our startled State, 
 
 Hiid not been bravely checked and turned aside? 
 Our cities wasted. Selds all desolate, 
 
 Our Freei>^m cru-hed and shorn oi all h^r pride^ 
 But lor that Army, ^inhered in our nee<^. 
 Of matchless vaior. led by matchless Meade. 
 
 Then give "ta- th.anks to God. and praise to those 
 Sit-m warriors, who stretched their Jiands to save 
 
 Our UxiON and our Liberties .'rnm foes. 
 As wild in faith, as they were n;adiy brave. 
 
 And as we mark the battle, as it rose 
 
 And fell, as rolls the ocean storm-lashed wi^ve^ 
 
 Depicted here: let us not fail to yield 
 
 Honor m him vho limn'd the immortal fitld