Covered With Glory by Mort Kunstler

I was delighted when the U.S. Army War College Corresponding Studies Class of 1991 asked me to do the "Irish Brigade" at Antietam. I had known that it had never been painted before and had been wanting to do it for some time. After reading as much as I could on the subject, I went to the Antietam Battlefield again and found it just as exciting as the first visit. I timed it for September and was sure to be there early in the morning to be able to see the lighting effects of the time of day I wanted to paint between 10 AM and noon. After walking the entire battleline of the Sunken-Road and walking through the fields that the Union troops came across, I found the best view would be from the extreme right of the Union line. There is a slope downward to a farm lane toward the northeast and I immediately took this as my viewpoint so that I could look toward the morning light coming out of the east. This would enable me to silhouette the flags and Gen. Meagher dramatically and also show the Confederate line to the south entrenched in the Sunken Road. The pleasant surprise for me was that the NYSV 69th Regiment, the first regiment to be raised by Meagher and the Irish Brigade, was positioned at this spot. Here was a chance for me, as a New Yorker, to pay tribute in my way to this famous fighting unit. The troops were equipped with the Model 1842 Musket and wore only their belt sets and canteens, having left behind their haversacks, knapsacks, blankets, etc. Gen. Meagher's uniform and likeness are based on accounts and photos that exist. The sword is one of at least four that he owned, a Model 1859 staff and field, and is now in the collection of Notre Dame University. The actual flag used at Antietam still existed, preserved at the Armory in New York City. The actual flag says, "1st Regt. Irish Brigade." The flag was embroidered and not painted, as was the usual way of flag making at the time. The bullet holes in the flag are actually placed where there is battle damage on the original.