The War for the Union, 1862—A Cavalry Charge

"The War for the Union, 1862—A Cavalry Charge" is an historically significant wood engraving on paper created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) and published by the prominent illustrated newspaper Harper’s Weekly in 1862. This powerful work belongs to a critical series of visual reports Homer produced while serving as an artist-correspondent documenting the American Civil War. The classification as a print highlights the immediate, journalistic nature of the imagery, intended for rapid mass distribution across the United States populace hungry for documentation of the conflict.

Homer captured the frenetic energy and inherent danger of a direct military engagement, focusing on Union cavalry forces charging mid-action. This early work emphasizes movement and reportage rather than the more intimate character studies or landscape views that would define the artist’s later career. The medium of the wood engraving allowed for detailed yet robust images suitable for the high-speed printing presses of the era, making this piece a crucial example of mass media’s role in shaping public understanding during the war.

This vital document of American history is held within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As one of the most important visual chroniclers of 19th-century American life, Homer’s early journalistic prints like The War for the Union, 1862—A Cavalry Charge offer key insights into the public perception of the conflict. Because the year 1862 falls well into the general public domain period for such visual prints, the image continues to circulate widely, allowing modern audiences accessible engagement with Homer's foundational work.