| "The Northern Lights; Fredericksburg; Dec. 1862"
The battle of Fredericksburg resulted in massive death and agony for
the assaulting Union soldiers. General Burnside, who had ordered the
seven charges was so beside himself with reproach that he almost
mounted his gorse to lead one last charge. His staff stopped him from
the guilt-ridden, rash act.
Later that night the northern lights made a strange appearance; seeing
them that far south was very unusual.
Both sides stopped and gazed up at this heavenly apparition.
In this painting, three rebels pause in their activities and gaze
skyward in awe. They are wearing their "great coats" against the
winter's cold.
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