Rebels Outside Their Works at Yorktown Reconnoitring (sic) with Dark Lanterns 1862

Winslow Homer's "Rebels Outside Their Works at Yorktown Reconnoitring with Dark Lanterns" is a wood engraving from 1862 depicting a scene from the American Civil War. The image shows Confederate soldiers using dark lanterns to spy on Union troops outside of Yorktown, Virginia. This piece is an example of Homer's early work, a period when he was developing his artistic style and often contributed to the popular "Harper's Weekly" journal. The dark tones of the engraving and the focus on the soldiers' figures and the lanterns create a sense of tension and uncertainty, while the title and caption provide historical context. The image is considered a historically significant representation of the tactics and technology used during the war. It is currently located at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.