McNeill's Rangers John Paul Strain Civil War Print Capture of Union Generals

  

WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND COUNTRY. THE ARTIST - JOHN PAUL STRAIN Artist John Paul Strain captures the color, drama and heroism of the Civil War with a vivid realism that is unique among the nation's top-ranking historical artists.

A native Southerner born in Nashville, Tennessee, John Paul Strain has studied American History and the War Between the States in particular practically all of his life. He received his formal training at BYU, polished his professional techniques as an illustrator for the U. Department of Energy, and soon afterwards entered the field of historical fine art, prints and posters.

His work met immediate success and was showcased at a premiere gallery in the Rocky Mountains. Acclaimed for his paintings of the Old West, he eventually moved to Texas to work full time in the field of historical art. His early art, prints and posters depicting Civil War subjects produced the same enthusiastic response as his Western Art, and in the 1980s John Paul Strain began to concentrate on the Civil War. Few artists in the field have gained such widespread popularity so quickly. His art, prints and posters are now acclaimed among collectors, who prize his studies of Lee, Jackson, Forrest and other Civil War leaders, as well as his scenes of conflict and pageantry.

His distinctive artistic style, which combines bright colors and contrasting shadows, and his devotion to historic authenticity have dramatically increased his popularity. Today, his original art is displayed throughout America and among collectors of fine art limited-edition Civil War prints. Artist John Paul Strain has become an American favorite.

"McNeill's Rangers" John Paul Strain S/N Limited E dition Giclee Print. The Courthouse Romney, West Virginia.

Ritchie Hallar, Major General George Crook, Major General Benjamin Kelly. McNeill's Rangers were a partisan unit of Confederate cavalry raiders whose exploits would become legendary in West Virginia. Formally designated as Company E of the 18th Virginia Cavalry, they were led by Captain John Hanson McNeill. The Rangers operated behind enemy lines attacking Federal wagon trains, outposts, railroad yards, and generally "raising hell" anywhere they had the chance. Sadly on October 3rd 1864 in a predawn attack near Mt. Jackson, Captain John Hanson was mortally wounded. The command of the unit was passed to his son, 22 year old Lt. Jesse was known as a superior rider, an excellent shot, but was impetuously bold and brash to a fault. His father once described him as a hair-brained daredevil if ever there was one. Two years earlier, Captain John McNeill had devised a plan to kidnap US Generals Kelly and Cook for the discourtesy shown to his wife in 1862. McNeill had been refused a travel passport by General Kelly to visit her husband in Moorefield. While traveling without a passport through the area she was arrested and sent back to Ohio. Now in command of the Rangers and with the help of John B. Fay, Jesse decided to put his father's plan into action. Fay was born in Cumberland and knew every house and street in the city. Jesse sent Fay and C.

Richie Hallar to scout the city of Cumberland learning where US Major Generals Crook and Kelly would be sleeping. Fay was also tasked to find the best route for the Rangers to take through enemy territory.

During a blinding snow storm on the night of February 21, 1865, McNeill's Rangers headed for Cumberland Maryland. The Rangers rode quickly through the dark snowy countryside on New Creek road, when suddenly they encountered a Federal sentry post. As the sentry challenged the riders, Halt!

Who comes there, instinctively Lt. Jesse McNeill charged the sentry firing his revolver at the man's head as he passed. The shot missed the man but scared the sentries so bad, they immediately surrendered. But the Rangers were not happy with Jesse possibly sounding an alarm with gunfire. Fortunately the storm seemed to muffle the shot. Some Rangers wore Federal blue overcoats and fooled enemy pickets and patrols by whistling such Yankee tunes as they knew and bandying words with the Federals. The dark night and heavy snow made it impossible to distinguish between shades of gray or blue. An hour before daybreak the Rangers were in the city and went to work. Both Generals Crook and Kelly were quickly snatched from their beds, dressed and placed on mounts. The General's headquarters flag and regimental flag were taken as trophies. Even General Kelly's famous fine horse named "Philippi" was taken as a prize. Ranger John Fay led the way out of town at a fast pace. Four miles from the city an echoing boom of a cannon was heard in the distance, sounding the alarm.

Federal cavalry was soon hot on their trail. The expedition had been a great success. As the Rangers passed in front of the courthouse in Romney, the captured Generals and trophy flags made for a legendary moment. Leaving Romney in triumph, the Rangers took the little used Old Trough Hollow Road towards Moorefield with the Federal cavalry still in pursuit.

Describing the raid General John B. Gordon said, In daring and dash it is the most thrilling incident of the entire war. Mosby (Mosby's Rangers) extended his hand to Lt. Welton and said, You boys have beaten me badly.

The only way I can equal this is to go into Washington and bring out Lincoln! " Even US General Crook exclaimed, "Gentlemen, this is the most brilliant exploit of the war! The legend of McNeill's Rangers still lives on today. Also available in these formats. Remarques on Artist Proof Giclee Print Edition Only. All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist and include a Certificate of Authenticity. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once theyre gone, thats it.

There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. Thats why Limited Edition prints are more expensive and more valuable to collectors than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable. An Artists Proof (AP), generally, is the first 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. If the Limited Edition is 400 s/n, there would be 40 APs.

This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by. A remarque is a pencil drawing done in the white border area of an art print.

The subject of the remarque is usually determined by the artist. Each remarque is a piece of original art which adds to the value of the print by making that particular print unique and exclusive from the rest of the prints in the edition. All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. The item "McNeill's Rangers John Paul Strain Civil War Print Capture of Union Generals" is in sale since Thursday, September 4, 2014. This item is in the category "Art\Art Prints".

The seller is "airplanesandmore" and is located in Flower Mound, Texas. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay.

• Original/Reproduction: Original Print
• Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
• Edition Type: Limited Edition
• Edition Size: 200
• Print Type: Giclee Print
• Subject: Civil War - Capture of Generals Crook and Kelly
• Style: Realism
• Size Type/Largest Dimension: Medium (Up to 30in.

  )

• Date of Creation: 2000-Now
• Signed?: Signed
• Artist: John Paul Strain
• Framed/Unframed: Unframed
• Print Surface: Paper