(Night Scene) Skirmish near Vienna Sept. 3rd 1862 Genl. Sully Commanding. The 1st Minn Vols. Covering the retreat. (As seen from our left wing). Pencil and ink drawing. Signed by artist George H. Durfee. Matted and framed to 17 x 13 3/4 in. 

Captioned "Sketched by G. H. Durfee / Left wing / Genl. Sully / 1 Section Co. A. 1st Rhode Island Battery. / right wing. / Skirmish near Vienna Sept. 3rd 1862 / Genl Sully Commanding. / (Night Scene) The 1st Minn Vols Covering the retreat (as seen from our left wing[)]."

A soldier's evocative artwork of a skirmish near Vienna, Virginia, on 3 September 1862, shortly before the Battle of Antietam. George Hiram Durfee (1838 - 1928) mustered into Company K of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry on 23 May 1861. He was, apparently, quite a prolific wartime sketch artist; the Minnesota Historical Society is in possession of several of his other sketches and will exhibit them on occasion (consignor related). Durfee would go on to be an active member of the G.A.R.

Both regiments pictured, the 1st Minnesota Infantry and the First Rhode Island Battery, would fight with distinction at Antietam just a few weeks later. Notably, Lt. Col. Alfred Sully (1820-1879) is depicted commanding his men in the fight. 

A well-rendered battle scene by an eyewitness. 

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