March Against the Indians in Connecticut 1876

Winslow Homer's "March Against the Indians in Connecticut" is a small, evocative wood engraving reflecting the complex narratives of American expansion and conflict. Created during a period of intense national reflection, likely post-Civil War, the image captures a troop of armed figures moving through a stark, moonlit forest. The print invites us to consider the interweaving of race, power, and historical narrative. The use of the word "Indians" flattens diverse indigenous nations into a single, oppositional force, a common trope in the justification of settler colonialism. The scene evokes a sense of foreboding. Are they soldiers or settlers? Are they protecting themselves or invading someone else's land? The darkness of the forest amplifies this tension, as we are left to imagine the human cost and moral ambiguities of this historical march. Homer's work compels us to confront the uncomfortable aspects of American history and reflect on how these narratives continue to shape our present.