The Battle of Williamsburg, Va. May 5th 1862 1862

Currier and Ives created this print depicting the Battle of Williamsburg, fought on May 5, 1862, during the American Civil War. It reflects the firm's pro-Union stance. Here, General McClellan is depicted leading the Union troops to victory. But what is less visible is the complex racial and social dynamics at play during this conflict. Consider, if you will, the experiences of enslaved African Americans, who were caught in the crossfire between two Americas. For them, the war represented both unimaginable risk and the hope of liberation. How might they have viewed such a representation of battle, where their own struggles and hopes were effectively erased from the narrative? The brutal reality of the battlefield clashes with the promise of freedom, justice, and equality for all. The print serves as a potent reminder of how historical events are often framed through very specific lenses, obscuring the multifaceted realities experienced by different groups within society.