The Union Cavalry and Artillery Starting in Pursuit of the Rebels up the Yorktown Turnpike

The Union Cavalry and Artillery Starting in Pursuit of the Rebels up the Yorktown Turnpike, created by Winslow Homer in 1862, is a powerful early example of the artist’s engagement with the American Civil War. This vivid wood engraving captures a moment of military action as Union forces begin their pursuit near Yorktown, Virginia. During this period, Homer worked extensively as an artist-correspondent for periodicals like Harper's Weekly, creating timely images that brought the reality of the conflict to the public in the United States.

The medium of wood engraving, crucial for mass reproduction in the 19th century, allowed Homer to distribute detailed scenes of wartime life quickly. This specific work focuses on the mobilization of troops, depicting mounted cavalry and the heavy artillery unit preparing to move down the turnpike. Homer often chose subjects that emphasized the dynamic, immediate experience of the soldier rather than grand battlefield strategies. The composition effectively communicates the tension and readiness inherent in a military advance, showing the practical movements of war that were frequently obscured in official narratives.

As a print classification, this work exemplifies the widespread distribution and influence of Homer’s early career. The ability of such prints to reach a vast audience cemented Homer’s reputation as a key visual chronicler of the war years. Today, this significant historical document is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its age and cultural importance, high-quality prints of this work are often found available through public domain collections, ensuring its accessibility for study and appreciation worldwide.