"Escape From Fort Donelson" John Paul Strain Civil War Exec Canvas Giclee

His work met immediate success and was showcased at a premiere gallery in the Rocky Mountains. Acclaimed for his paintings of the Old West, he eventually moved to Texas to work full time in the field of historical art. His early art, prints and posters depicting Civil War subjects produced the same enthusiastic response as his Western Art, and in the 1980s John Paul Strain began to concentrate on the Civil War. Few artists in the field have gained such widespread popularity so quickly.

His art, prints and posters are now acclaimed among collectors, who prize his studies of Lee, Jackson, Forrest and other Civil War leaders, as well as his scenes of conflict and pageantry. His distinctive artistic style, which combines bright colors and contrasting shadows, and his devotion to historic authenticity have dramatically increased his popularity. Today, his original art is displayed throughout America and among collectors of fine art limited-edition Civil War prints. Artist John Paul Strain has become an American favorite.

John Paul Strain S/N Executive Canvas Giclee "Escape From Fort Donelson"

Lt. Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest
February 17, 1862

The winter of 1862 was a challenging time for the newly formed Confederate forces trying to defend against invading armies from the North. Many southern officers were elected for their popularity with the men. Some of those leaders were ready to prove their worth in battle while others were not. One elected officer, who would prove himself to be the greatest cavalry officer of the period was Lt. Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest had been a wealthy plantation owner and successful land speculator that had raised and personally equipped his own battalion of eight companies of mounted volunteers, which included companies from Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Texas, a complement of about 650 men.

By February 1862 Federal General U.S. Grant's army had seized Paducah, Kentucky and had captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. Supported by a fleet of gunboats and fifteen thousand men, General Grant turned his attention to Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. Located high on a bluff overlooking the river, Fort Donelson had been reinforced with Lt. Colonel Forrest's cavalry battalion and soldiers from the garrison at Fort Henry. Grant found the fortifications at Ft. Donelson difficult to attack. Federal gunboats that had been so effective in the previous assault of Fort Henry, were practically useless as their shells harmlessly arched over the fort. Southern guns rained fire and shot down from the bluffs sinking two of the Federal vessels and wreaking havoc on Grant's soldiers. In the confusion of battle General Grant rallied his officers and men. Regrouping, the Federals launched a successful infantry assault that pushed retreating southern soldiers into the confines of the fort.

Now encircled and trapped by the Federal force, four Confederate commanders, Buckner, Floyd, Pillow, and Forrest held a council of war in the middle of the night. To Forrest's astonishment and anger the three other leaders decided to surrender. Forrest was outraged, as he was sure the men could fight their way out of their circumstances. Forrest shouted, "I did not come here for the purpose of surrendering my command". General Buckner agreed to let Forrest's cavalry and what men they could muster attempt to escape before surrender negotiations with Grant began. Forrest stormed out of the meeting and gathered his troops. In the dead of the night, Forrest led his men through the darkness on a snowy wooded two day 75 mile trek to the safety of Nashville.

Forrest's meritorious actions at Fort Donelson brought him great acclaim with the Confederate high command in Richmond and would leave his first mark on the pages of history as the greatest cavalry commander of the Civil War, the "Wizard of the Saddle".

26" by 40" Signed and Numbered Executive Canvas Giclee, limited to 10 - $1200

Also available as:

26" by 40" Signed and Numbered Executive Canvas Giclee Artist Proofs, limited to 2 - SOLD OUT

19" by 29" image size, Signed and Numbered print, limited to 450 - SOLD OUT

19" by 29" image size, Signed and Numbered Artist Proof Print, limited to 100 - SOLD OUT

16-1/2" by 24-1/4" Signed and Numbered Studio Canvas Giclee, limited to 65 - SOLD OUT

16-1/2" by 24-1/4" Signed and Numbered Studio Canvas Giclee Artist Proofs, limited to 5 - SOLD OUT

22-1/4" by 33-1/2" Signed and Numbered Classic Canvas Giclee, limited to 60 - SOLD OUT

22-1/4" by 33-1/2" Signed and Numbered Studio Canvas Giclee Artist Proofs, limited to 15 - SOLD OUT

All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist and include a Certificate of Authenticity. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.

An Artist’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. If the Limited Edition is 400 s/n, there would be 40 APs. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.

A remarque is a pencil drawing done in the white border area of an art print. The subject of the remarque is usually determined by the artist. Each remarque is a piece of original art which adds to the value of the print by making that particular print unique and exclusive from the rest of the prints in the edition.

All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.