Peter Frederick Rothermel's famous "Picketts Charge" was one of many he painted of Civil War battles. This image is his rendition of Pickett's charge on July 3, 1863, the culminating event of the three day battle. The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal point, an encounter that many historians consider the turning point in the Civil War. Rothermel devoted almost five years and created a monumental 16' by 32' foot painting of The Battle of Gettysburg, Pickett's Charge. This immense painting hangs in the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The desperate character of the attack and defense is depicted in the hand-to-hand fighting over the stone wall. Pickett disagreed with Gen. Lee on the chances of success but Lee had ordered a frontal attack on Union forces and Pickett complied. Led briefly by Pickett himself, 12,000 to 15,000 Southerners charged towards the Union center, but the plan proved disastrous. Pickett lost almost 60% of his troops to death, wounding and capture. Shortly after the charge, Lee retreated to Virginia followed by Union troops under General Meade.

Medium : 1 print : engraving

Creator : Peter Frederick Rothermel, artist, 1812-1895

Housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

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Product #: ppmsca08899