My Name is James Tottenham and I have been selling Historical Art for the past 30 years. I've represented and continue to represent many artists at my Oxford, Connecticut Gallery, but the art of Don Troiani is in a category of its own. I am creating this blog to offer my perspective on the body of work which Mr. Troiani has created over the past 30 years. It will cover art depicting major events and people of the Civil War, the American Revolutionary War, the French and Indian War, the War of 1812 and different featured personalities from all the aforementioned eras. Please join me in celebration of his art and the history it so accurately represents. James F. Tottenham
Brothers of Ireland by Don Troiani
On June 27, The Ninth Massachusetts volunteers had already engaged in hours of vicious fighting with a Confederate army at Gaine’s Mill. After a lull in the fighting, the stillness was broken by a vigorous Southern assault. As John Porter’s V Corps was north of the Chickahominy River, Lee would assault the lone Federal corps at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill – the opening salvo of the Seven Days. Struggling through the day, Porter’s Corps fought bravely. Meagher’s Irish Brigade and US Brigadier General William French’s brigade were sent north to reinforce Porter. With the “Fighting 69th” leading the way, the Irish Brigade was able to stem the quickly developing V Corps rout, and join the battle at Gaines’ Mill. They would march to the right flank, allowing the Federals to hold their position until they were able to cross the Chickahominy and rejoin the rest of the Army of the Potomac. The Irishmen acted as a rear guard, crossing the river early the next morning.(xiv) Fortunately, the Confederates did not follow up their victory, letting the Federals retreat unmolested after suffering nearly 7,000 casualties.
For more information about Brothers of Ireland and Don Troiani’s prints Click Here
![HAMPTON’S DUEL by Don Troiani
On July 3, 1863, Brigadier Gen. Wade Hampton was momentarily alone, desperately fending off saber blows from a cavalry assault, as Picket’s charge began along Cemetery Ridge.
This is a copy of the actual report sumitted to H.B. McClellan by Brigadier General Wade HamptonCOLUMBIA, August 13, 1863.
Major [H. B.]McCLELLAN, Assistant Adjutant-General.
MAJOR: I avail myself of the first opportunity at which I am able to do so, to send in a report of the part taken by my brigade during the battle of Gettysburg. The previous operations of the brigade shall be embodied in a subsequent report as soon as I am well enough to make it out. I send the present report, as I deem it important that it should go in at the earliest moment. The brigade was stationed on July 2, at Hunterstown, 5 miles to the east of Gettysburg, when orders came from General Stuart that it should move up, and take position on the left of our infantry. Before this could be accomplished, I was notified that a heavy force of cavalry was advancing on Hunterstown, with a view to get in the rear of our army. Communicating this information to General Stuart, I was ordered by him to return, and hold the enemy in check. Pursuant to these orders, I moved back, and met the enemy between Hunterstown and Gettysburg. After skirmishing a short time, he attempted a charge, which was met in front by the Cobb Legion, while I threw the Phillips Legion and the Second South Carolina as supporting forces on each flank of the enemy. The charge was most gallantly made, and the enemy were driven back in confusion to the support of his sharpshooters and artillery, both of which opened on me heavily. I had no artillery at this time, but soon after two pieces were sent to me, and they did good service. Night coming on, I held the ground until morning, when I found that the enemy had retreated from Hunterstown, leaving some of his wounded officers and men in the village. The Cobb Legion, which led in this gallant charge, suffered quite severely, Lieutenant-Colonel [W. G.] Delony and several other officers being wounded, while the regiment lost in killed quite a number of brave officers and men, whose names I regret not being able to give. On the morning of July 3, I was ordered to move through Hunterstown, and endeavor to get on the right flank of the enemy. In accordance with these orders, the brigade passed through the village just named, across the railroad, and thence south till we discovered the enemy. I took position on the left of Colonel Chambliss, and threw out sharpshooters to check an advance the enemy were attempting. Soon after, General Fitz. Lee came up, and took position on my left. The sharpshooters soon became actively engaged, and succeeded perfectly in keeping the enemy back, while the three brigades were held ready to meet any charge made by the enemy. We had for the three brigades but two pieces of artillery, while the enemy had apparently two batteries in position. In the afternoon (about 4.30 o’clock, I should think), an order came from General Stuart for General Fitz. Lee and myself to report to him, leaving our brigades where they were. Thinking that it would not be proper for both of us to leave the ground at the same time, I told General Lee that I would go to General Stuart first, and, on my return, he could go. Leaving General Lee, I rode off to see General Stuart, but could not find him. On my return to the field, I saw my brigade in motion, having been ordered to charge by General Lee. This order I countermanded, as I did not think it a judicious one, and the brigade resumed its former position: not, however, without loss, as the movement had disclosed its position to the enemy. A short time after this, an officer from Colonel Chambliss reported to me that he had been sent to ask support from General Lee, but that he had replied my brigade was nearest and should support Chambliss’ brigade. Seeing that support was essential, I sent to Colonel Baker, ordering him to send two regiments to protect Chambliss, who had made a charge (I know not by whose orders), and who was falling back before a large force of the enemy. The First North Carolina and the Jeff. Davis Legion were sent by Colonel Baker, and these two regiments drove back the enemy; but in their eagerness they followed him too far, and encountered his reserve in heavy force. Seeing the state of affairs at this juncture, I rode rapidly to the front to take charge of these two regiments, and, while doing this, to my surprise I saw the rest of my brigade (excepting the Cobb Legion) and Fitz. Lees brigade charging. In the hand-to-hand fight which ensued, as I was endeavoring to extricate the First North Carolina and the Jeff. Davis Legion, I was wounded, and had to leave the field, after turning over the command to Colonel Baker. The charge of my brigade has been recently explained to me as having been ordered by Captain Barker, assistant adjutant-general, who supposed that it was intended to take the whole brigade to the support of Colonel Chambliss—a mistake which was very naturally brought about by the appearance of affairs on the field. Of what occurred after I gave up the command, I am, of course, ignorant; nor can I state the casualties of my command. I am now only able to give a brief and bare statement of the part taken by my brigade in the battle of July 3, showing how it became engaged. The disposition I had made of my command contemplated an entirely different plan for the fight, and beyond this disposition of my own brigade, with the subsequent charge of the First North Carolina and the Jeff. Davis Legion, I had nothing whatever to do with the fight.
I am, major, very respectfully, yours,WADE HAMPTON, Brigadier-General.
For more information about Don Troiani’s art and Hampton’s Duel Click Here](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfn5nqCywS1qbe95po1_400.jpg)
HAMPTON’S DUEL by Don Troiani
On July 3, 1863, Brigadier Gen. Wade Hampton was momentarily alone, desperately fending off saber blows from a cavalry assault, as Picket’s charge began along Cemetery Ridge.
This is a copy of the actual report sumitted to H.B. McClellan by Brigadier General Wade Hampton
COLUMBIA, August 13, 1863.
Major [H. B.]McCLELLAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
MAJOR: I avail myself of the first opportunity at which I am able to do so, to send in a report of the part taken by my brigade during the battle of Gettysburg. The previous operations of the brigade shall be embodied in a subsequent report as soon as I am well enough to make it out. I send the present report, as I deem it important that it should go in at the earliest moment.
The brigade was stationed on July 2, at Hunterstown, 5 miles to the east of Gettysburg, when orders came from General Stuart that it should move up, and take position on the left of our infantry. Before this could be accomplished, I was notified that a heavy force of cavalry was advancing on Hunterstown, with a view to get in the rear of our army. Communicating this information to General Stuart, I was ordered by him to return, and hold the enemy in check. Pursuant to these orders, I moved back, and met the enemy between Hunterstown and Gettysburg. After skirmishing a short time, he attempted a charge, which was met in front by the Cobb Legion, while I threw the Phillips Legion and the Second South Carolina as supporting forces on each flank of the enemy. The charge was most gallantly made, and the enemy were driven back in confusion to the support of his sharpshooters and artillery, both of which opened on me heavily. I had no artillery at this time, but soon after two pieces were sent to me, and they did good service. Night coming on, I held the ground until morning, when I found that the enemy had retreated from Hunterstown, leaving some of his wounded officers and men in the village.
The Cobb Legion, which led in this gallant charge, suffered quite severely, Lieutenant-Colonel [W. G.] Delony and several other officers being wounded, while the regiment lost in killed quite a number of brave officers and men, whose names I regret not being able to give.
On the morning of July 3, I was ordered to move through Hunterstown, and endeavor to get on the right flank of the enemy. In accordance with these orders, the brigade passed through the village just named, across the railroad, and thence south till we discovered the enemy. I took position on the left of Colonel Chambliss, and threw out sharpshooters to check an advance the enemy were attempting. Soon after, General Fitz. Lee came up, and took position on my left. The sharpshooters soon became actively engaged, and succeeded perfectly in keeping the enemy back, while the three brigades were held ready to meet any charge made by the enemy. We had for the three brigades but two pieces of artillery, while the enemy had apparently two batteries in position.
In the afternoon (about 4.30 o’clock, I should think), an order came from General Stuart for General Fitz. Lee and myself to report to him, leaving our brigades where they were. Thinking that it would not be proper for both of us to leave the ground at the same time, I told General Lee that I would go to General Stuart first, and, on my return, he could go. Leaving General Lee, I rode off to see General Stuart, but could not find him. On my return to the field, I saw my brigade in motion, having been ordered to charge by General Lee. This order I countermanded, as I did not think it a judicious one, and the brigade resumed its former position: not, however, without loss, as the movement had disclosed its position to the enemy.
A short time after this, an officer from Colonel Chambliss reported to me that he had been sent to ask support from General Lee, but that he had replied my brigade was nearest and should support Chambliss’ brigade. Seeing that support was essential, I sent to Colonel Baker, ordering him to send two regiments to protect Chambliss, who had made a charge (I know not by whose orders), and who was falling back before a large force of the enemy. The First North Carolina and the Jeff. Davis Legion were sent by Colonel Baker, and these two regiments drove back the enemy; but in their eagerness they followed him too far, and encountered his reserve in heavy force.
Seeing the state of affairs at this juncture, I rode rapidly to the front to take charge of these two regiments, and, while doing this, to my surprise I saw the rest of my brigade (excepting the Cobb Legion) and Fitz. Lees brigade charging. In the hand-to-hand fight which ensued, as I was endeavoring to extricate the First North Carolina and the Jeff. Davis Legion, I was wounded, and had to leave the field, after turning over the command to Colonel Baker. The charge of my brigade has been recently explained to me as having been ordered by Captain Barker, assistant adjutant-general, who supposed that it was intended to take the whole brigade to the support of Colonel Chambliss—a mistake which was very naturally brought about by the appearance of affairs on the field.
Of what occurred after I gave up the command, I am, of course, ignorant; nor can I state the casualties of my command. I am now only able to give a brief and bare statement of the part taken by my brigade in the battle of July 3, showing how it became engaged.
The disposition I had made of my command contemplated an entirely different plan for the fight, and beyond this disposition of my own brigade, with the subsequent charge of the First North Carolina and the Jeff. Davis Legion, I had nothing whatever to do with the fight.
I am, major, very respectfully, yours,
WADE HAMPTON,
Brigadier-General.
For more information about Don Troiani’s art and Hampton’s Duel Click Here
The Battle of Eutaw Springs by Don Troiani
Colonel William Washington is unhorsed during bitter fighting at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, S.C. 1781 during the American Revolution.
Seven years of British determination to bring South Carolina to her knees met failure. The spirit that had long resisted royal edict and church canon, the fierce desire and indomitable will to be masters of their own destinies, and the dauntless courage that had carved a new way of life from a wilderness were again threatened by oppression; so, little difference was felt among nationalities and creeds, causing a unity to grow among the new world “peasants and shepherds” that shook the foundations of old regimes.
By mid-summer, 1781, the Continentals under Major General Nathanael Greene had gained virtual control of South Carolina. The retreating British, disillusioned and sick with summer heat, united forces under Lt. Col. Alexander Stewart at Orangeburg and began their march to Charleston. Early in September, the 2,300 well-equipped British camped in cool shade beside the gushing springs of Eutaw, little dreaming the Continentals were close upon their heels.
Maj. Gen. Greene, hearing of Washington’s plan to encircle and embarrass the British at Yorktown, determined to prevent Southern aid from reaching the beleaguered Lt. Gen. Charles Lord Cornwallis. Contingents under generals Marion, Pickens, Lee, and colonels William Washington, Hampton, and other South Carolina leaders were called together, and reinforcements from other states joined them. These 2,092 poorly-equipped, underfed, and near-naked Americans camped on September 7th on the River Road at Burdell’s Plantation, only seven miles from Eutaw Springs. Strategy for the ensuing attack is accredited to the genius of the dreaded “Swamp Fox,” Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, who knew every foot of the Santee swamps and river.
September 8th dawned fair and intensely hot, but the Americans, on short rations and with little rest, advanced in early morning light toward the springs. At their approach the surprised British left their uneaten breakfast and quickly threw lines of battle across the road in a heavily wooded area. Behind them in cleared fields stood a large brick home with a high-walled garden. The woods and waters of Eutaw Creek were on the north.
Heavy firing soon crackled and boomed through the shady woods. At first the center of the American line caved in, but while opposing flanks were fighting separate battles, Maj. Gen. Greene restored the center with North Carolina Continentals. The whole British line then began to give, but Lt. Col. Stewart quickly pulled up his left-flank reserves, forcing the Americans to retreat under thunderous fire. The encouraged British shouted, yelled, and rushed forward in disorder; whereupon Maj. Gen. Greene (according to J. P. Petit) “brought in his strongest force: the Maryland and Virginia Continentals, Kirkwood’s Delawares, and Lt. Colonel Washington’s South Carolina cavalry … with devastating effect.”
The British fled in every direction and the Americans took over their camp. Only Maj. Majoribanks, on the British right flank and pushed far back into the woods near Eutaw Creek, was able to hold his unit together. Maj. Sheridan took hasty refuge in the brick home, Lt. Col. Stewart gathered some of his men beyond, and from this vantage they “picked off” many American officers and men.
Maj. Gen. Greene sent Lt. Col. Washington’s cavalry to deal with Maj. Majoribanks, but penetrating the woods with horses was too difficult, so Lt. Col. Washington tried to encircle and rout, thus exposing himself to dangerous fire. His horse was shot from under him, he himself was wounded, and his company practically ravaged. When a hand-to-hand fight developed, a British soldier poised his sword over the wounded Lt. Col. Washington, but Maj. Majoribanks saw and gallantly turned it aside.
In camp, eating the deserted breakfast, and feeling the battle was won, the hungry and thirsty Patriots began plundering the English stores of food, liquors, and equipment. Thoroughly enjoying themselves they ignored their leaders’ warnings and commands. Maj. Majoribanks, realizing the disorder, fell upon them. Sheridan and Stewart pounded at their right, and Coffin came in from their left. The stunned Americans fought this impossible situation bravely, but they were put to flight from the British camp.
After more than four hours of indecisive battle under a merciless sun both armies had had enough. Casualties were extremely high. “Blood ran ankle deep in places,” and the strewn area of dead and dying was heart-breaking.
Maj. Gen. Greene collected his wounded and returned to Burdell’s Plantation. Lt. Col. Stewart remained the night at Eutaw Springs but hastily retreated the next day toward Charlestown, leaving behind many of his dead unburied and seventy of his seriously wounded. The gallant Maj. Majoribanks, wounded and on his way to Moncks Corner, died in a slave cabin on Wantoot Plantation. He was buried beside the road, but when lake waters were to cover that area his remains were removed by the S.G.P.S.A. to their present resting place at Eutaw Springs Battlefield.
The total casualties came to 1,188, according to Rev. M. H. Osborne. Many were buried where they fell, therefore the whole battlefield is a hero’s cemetery, sacred to the memory of courageous men. Patriot blood shed at Eutaw Springs was certainly not shed in vain. This last major battle in South Carolina completely broke the British hold in the South and, more important, denied needed aid to the North. Only six weeks later, Lord Cornwallis succumbed to Maj. Gen. George Washington at Yorktown, and American independence was assured.
According to Benson J. Jossing in his Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution - the Patriots lost 152 killed, 424 wounded, and 40 missing; the British lost 85 killed, 72 wounded, and 500 captured as prisoners.
For Information on how to purchase this print and other works by Don Troiani Click Here
Photo with 3 notes
The Redoubt-The Battle of Bunker Hill by Don Troiani. In his sequel to the already iconic painting “Bunker Hill”, here we see the latter phase of the epic battle of June 17, 1775. After appalling losses in two previous assaults, the British push forward in a third attempt to storm the American position on Breed’s Hill.
Many terrified militiamen had already left the scene of battle. Most of those who remained had little ammunition left with no hope of getting more. With close artillery cover, the British stormed the fort brandishing their bayonets. When they came close, the Patriots fired one to two volleys, then most stood their ground to face the British. Fierce handtohand bayonet and clubbed musket fighting occurred within the redoubt. Among those killed during the third assault was Warren. The Patriots waged a fighting retreat to Bunker Hill, across the Charlestown Neck, and eventually across to Cambridge.
The British took over the Bunker and Breed’s Hill positions and fortified them, holding them until they evacuated Boston at the end of the year. The battle was the first action for the Continental Army and showed how much work there was to be done in building an effective army. While most of the soldiers in the entrenched works fought tenaciously, the intended reinforcements on Bunker Hill refused to advance to the support of their comrades. The British victory a was a moral victory for the Americans, however. People throughout America realized that the war was no longer just a rebellion of Boston and other Massachusetts colonists against British occupation. They had proved to themselves that, united, they had the ability and the character to confront the superior force of the British army.
Again Troiani has produced another masterwork rich in accurate detail,even down to the anchor emblems on the British Marine breastplates.
For Information about this print and others by Don Troiani Click Here
Clear The Way A Civil War Painting of the Irish Brigade by Don Troiani
This is by far one of Troiani’s most popular paintings. It is much sought after on the secondary print market. Much of the interest is due to the Irish Brigade being an infantry brigade, consisting predominantly of Irish Americans, that served in the Union Army in the American Civil War. The designation of the first regiment in the brigade, the 69th New York Infantry, or the “Fighting 69th”, continued in later wars. The Irish Brigade was known in part for its famous war cry, the “faugh a ballagh”, which is an anglicization of the Irish phrase, fág an bealach, meaning “clear the way”.
For more information on Clear the Way and DonTroiani Art Click Here
Photo with 5 notes
J.E.B. Stuart by Don Troiani
Entered West Point military academy in 1850. Commissioned in 1854 second lieutenant of cavalry, he saw considerable service in Indian warfare, and took part also in the repression of civil disorder in Kansas. In 1855 he had married a daughter of Colonel Philip St George Cooke, who was regarded as the most capable cavalry officer in the United States service, and gave his son-in-law the benefit of his experience and judgment. In 1859 Stuart, while staying in Washington on official business, was sent to assist Colonel R. E. Lee in the suppression of the John Brown raid on Harper’s Ferry.
For more information about this art and Don Troiani Click Here
General George Washington, 1777 A Revolutionary War Print by Don Troiani
General George Washington, 1777
April 17, Washington writes General William Maxwell, commander of the Continental light infantry and also of the New Jersey militia, to ready himself and his troops for the 1777 campaign.
As the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army the services and achievements of George Washington are unique in the world’s history. He was much more than the Commander in Chief. He was the one necessary person, whose calm, unswerving, determined sense of patriotic duty to country, and ability put real backbone into the Revolution and kept it from collapsing or merging into a civil conflict, under the hardships and unexpected privations encountered during the eight years of war. Without General Washington at its head it could never have succeeded. His faith in the cause and his devotion to the ideals it embodied made him the symbol of America — the spirit of the Revolution.
For more information about Don Troiani and collecting his art Click Here
Page 1 of 3
