The War for the Union, 1862—A Cavalry Charge Possibly 1862

This wood engraving titled "The War for the Union, 1862—A Cavalry Charge," created by Winslow Homer in 1862, depicts the chaotic intensity of a cavalry charge during the American Civil War. The image is full of action and movement, showcasing the raw power of the battle with detailed depictions of the soldiers’ weapons and the fallen on the battlefield. The composition is dynamic and dramatic, with the focus on a Union cavalryman brandishing his sword and a fallen Confederate soldier in the foreground. The use of wood engraving captures the immediacy and realism of the event, emphasizing the brutality of war. This artwork is a significant example of Homer’s early works, known for their journalistic style and depiction of the American Civil War.