Charge of the First Massachusetts Regiment on a Rebel Rifle Pit near Yorktown

"Charge of the First Massachusetts Regiment on a Rebel Rifle Pit near Yorktown" by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) is a potent illustration of military action from the American Civil War. Created in 1862, this print was executed as a wood engraving on paper and published in the widely circulated illustrated journal, Harper's Weekly. This journalistic medium made Homer’s depiction of the conflict immediately accessible to the public across the United States.

The work captures the frantic energy of the engagement as Union troops assault a Confederate defensive position near Yorktown. Homer, who served as a special artist for the magazine, specialized in providing immediate, unvarnished visual reporting from the front lines. The linear quality inherent in the wood engraving process accentuates the figures' movement and the smoke-filled atmosphere. Unlike the artist's later idealized paintings, this early work prioritizes the documentary nature of the print, showcasing the challenging realities faced by the First Massachusetts Regiment.

Classified simply as a print, this piece is a vital example of American visual culture during the 1860s. Homer later became one of the nation's most respected painters, but his skill in capturing decisive moments is already evident here. The Art Institute of Chicago maintains this significant historical image in its collection, representing a time when illustrated prints informed the public perception of the war. As historical images from this period often enter the public domain, prints based on this specific wood engraving remain widely studied today.