Battle of Fredericksburg, 1862 This painting by Private John Richards of the New York Volunteers captures the behind-the-lines Union activity at the battle of Fredericksburg. Long rows of fresh troops await orders to march up the hill to join the fighting under way in the distance. Barely visible, the cavalry charges off into one of the Union’s greatest failures. These foot soldiers will follow the cavalry soon.

Private Collection/Peter Newark Military Pictures/Bridgeman Images.