19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the
States
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Limited Edition Art Print
"Only A Fence Between Us" The 2nd Minnesota Infantry and 15th Mississippi Infantry in the Battle of Mill Springs
Kentucky artist Robert Cull of Louisville offers the second print of his Heritage Series, limited to 800 signed and numbered prints and 50 artist proofs. A portion of the proceeds from the Heritage Series is donated to historic preservation projects.
About the Print The title, "Only A Fence Between Us," is a quote from Private James Cooper of the 20th Tennessee Infantry, who participated in the close fighting. The details of the art work have been carefully researched, from the weather conditions and terrain features to the uniforms and equipment. That dark morning it rained, sometimes heavily, for six hours. The heavy smoke and mist made parts of the field so dense that "a man was hardly visible a musket's length away." Original soldiers' faces and uniforms have been depicted when possible. Colonel Horatio Van Cleve (mounted at far left and wearing his glasses) and Private Augustus Williams of Company D (whose rifle crosses in front of the regimental colors) are shown for the 2nd Minnesota. Private Charles Frierson of Company F (right foreground with converted musket, red trimmed shell jacket and battle shirt) is prominent for the 15th Mississippi. Other original faces and documented uniform features are also represented, including the epaulet clips on the Federal frock coats and six-pointed star on the Confederate hat. The weapons and flags are historically displayed. Original records in the Minnesota National Guard Archives actually disprove other printed history of the 2nd Regiment, verifying that they traded in their 1842 pattern muskets for Enfield rifles just weeks before the Battle of Mill Springs. Eyewitness accounts and original soldiers' photos confirm the Confederate muskets and Mississippi rifles. The flag of the 15th Regiment is shown with the name of the "Yalobusha Rifles" historically misspelled "Yallabusha." It was presented as a gift and the maker erred in the lettering. The flag was listed as captured at the battle by Corporal Albert Essen, Company G of the 2nd Minnesota. It is now preserved in the Old State Capitol Building in Jackson, MS. The colors of the 2nd Regiment are proudly displayed behind glass in the Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley. (Narrative courtesy Historic Impressions)
For information on this print and others in the Heritage Series, contact: Historic Impressions
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