Williamsport Crossing

By: John Paul Strain

PLATINUM CANVAS COLLECTION

Classic... $710 unframed $870 framed

31" x 25" canvas

Executive... sold out

Williamsport Crossing

In May 1863 General U.S. Grant was laying siege to the strategically located city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. President Jefferson Davis called the city the “link that holds the South’s two halves together.”  If Grant could take the city, the Federals would control the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy.  Davis wanted Lee to do something about Grant.  There was talk of sending Virginia troops to General Johnston in the west to beat back Grant and save the city.  Lee had a bolder plan.  He would invade the North and possibly take the pressure off of Vicksburg with his new invasion.  With another major victory on northern soil, perhaps Lincoln might even talk terms for peace.  On the rainy morning of June 25, 1863 General Lee with his three corps of about 65,000 men crossed the Potomac River in a desperate endeavor to win independence for the Confederate States of America.  As Lee and Longstreet crossed with the First corps and rode out of the river that had divided a nation, a band struck up the tune of Dixie as they entered Maryland.  No one knew what lay ahead, but spirits were high and the look of power and determination was seen on Lee’s face, as he had come to believe in the invincibility of his army.