The Seventy Ninth Regiment (Highlanders), New York State Militia (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. 5, p. 329)

The Seventy Ninth Regiment (Highlanders), New York State Militia (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. 5, p. 329) by Winslow Homer is an impactful 1861 wood engraving depicting Union soldiers preparing for action during the American Civil War. Created for widespread publication in the weekly illustrated journal Harper's Weekly, this print served as vital visual reportage, delivering images of the conflict directly to civilian audiences. Homer, then a staff illustrator, specialized in documenting military figures and camp life, often drawing quickly from sketches made near the front lines to meet the demanding deadlines of the burgeoning illustrated press.

The subject matter focuses squarely on the American Civil War men of the New York State Militia’s 79th Regiment, who proudly maintained their Scottish "Highlanders" identity, reflected in their distinctive military dress. This wood engraving is an important early example of Homer’s documentary approach, which would later define his career. Homer meticulously renders the soldiers, capturing the details of their formation and unique uniforms, emphasizing the regiment’s discipline before heading into battle.

As one of the earliest works by Homer related to the conflict, the piece provides valuable insight into the visual culture of the era and the nascent stages of reportorial illustration. Prints such as this were crucial in shaping public perception of the war. This significant historical work is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, maintaining a vital artistic and archival record of the conflict drawn by one of America's preeminent artists.