History is the muse for many artists. They understand that it pays to nurture the muse. You know, if you’re good to mama, mama will be good to you. The Artist Preservation Group (APG) takes that philosophy seriously.
The APG is a small group of historical artists who adopt a specific preservation project each year. The group will donate work to be auctioned off or participate in a number of other fund raising efforts to support that project. Projects tend to be personal, from the preservation of a famous soldier’s uniform to the cleaning and restoration of an important painting. The art this group produces also varies from traditional paintings by such artists as Keith Rocco to three-dimensional historical miniatures that are sometimes sculpted and painted from scratch. For a better idea about what an historical miniature is, check out their website.
This year’s project: a Confederate Battle Flag. No, these guys aren’t kooky “south will rise again” types. This particular flag has a history. The flag in question belonged to the 5th Alabama Battalion, who bore it though many tough fights before being decimated at the Battle of Gettysburg. On the third day of the battle, during the famous Pickett’s Charge, the 5th Alabama lost 3 color bearers in quick succession. It was presumed that the 4th was able to carry the flag from the charge.
He didn’t. Somehow, it was left on the field for Lt. William Smith of the 1st Delaware to find. Smith showed it to some fellow officers and started for headquarters to turn it in. A short time later, Smith too was found dead with the flag still clutched in his hand. His blood stains remain on the flag to this day. So, both Johnny Reb and Billy Yank died beneath the folds of this banner. And the story doesn’t end there.
Somehow, another hero of Gettysburg, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, or his family, ended up with the flag. In 1887, President Grover Cleveland tried to have all captured battle flags returned to their respective states. It wasn’t a popular idea at the time, and it’s possible the Chamberlain family received the flag then. Over time, tensions eased and by 1943 America was in the midst of WWII when the North and South were in a desperate struggle together. It was then that Joshua Chamberlain’s last surviving relative decided it was time Alabama got her flag back.
Emotion and symbolism are wrapped up in that piece of cloth, so it’s easy to see why artists would get excited about preserving it. During the weekend of August 7-9, it will be on display at the APG’s first military art exhibition to be held at the Gettysburg Wyndham Hotel.
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