Blind Pursuit
by
Don Stivers
In terrain too mountainous to use artillery, the two armies' infantry slugged it out, toe to toe. Though Jackson lost more men, the Federals under General Robert C. Schenck began a retreat with the brilliant Confederate cavalry commander Turner Ashby and his troopers snapping at their heels. By May 10 Jackson's infantry-with the famous "Stonewall Brigade" in the lead-caught up to Schenck. In desperation, the Union troops set fire to the thick woods, cleverly laying down a smokescreen. A member of Jackson's staff recalled that, "Soon the sky was overcast with volumes of smoke, which almost hid the scene, and wrapped every distant object in a veil, impenetrable to the eyes and telescopes of the officers alike." Jackson, always the consummate warrior, himself admired the subterfuge: "He declared that this smoke was the most adroit expedient, to which a retreating army could resort, to embarrass pursuit, and that it entailed upon him all the disadvantages of a night attack."
1,000 limited edition prints signed by the artist
Image Size:16 1/2" x 26"
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