Orphans III |
 |
| 22" x 32" |
 |
| 450 Signed & Numbered |
 |
| Framed - $215.00 |
(click image to see larger)
The Missouri Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion Cockrell, was organized from the surviving Missouri veterans following the Confederate loss of Vicksburg. During the months of August and September 1863 these veterans were consolidated into one Missouri brigade consisting of the 1st and 4th Missouri, the 2nd and 6th Missouri, the 3rd and 5th Missouri, and the 1st and 3rd Missouri Cavalry. Under Cockrell they became one of the best trained and effective commands serving in the Confederate Army.
In October 1863, Cockrell's Missouri Brigade was assigned to Maj. Gen. Samuel French's Division. This Division joined Polk's Corps of the Army of Tennessee at Cassville, Georgia, on May 18, 1864. Thus, the Missouri Brigade entered the Atlanta Campaign.
Cockrell's Brigade received its first casualties of the campaign at New Hope Church and was later bloodied at Lattimer House. On the 19th of June the Confederate Army of Tennessee fell back to a position at Kennesaw Mountain, the last mountain barrier between Sherman and Atlanta. French's Division dug in near the center of the Kennesaw line. The Division occupied Little Kennesaw Mountain and its southern spur, Pigeon Hill. Cockrell's Brigade occupied the hill and overlooked the important Burnt Hickory Road that ran south of Pigeon Hill and through the Confederate line.
The Federal asault on Pigeon Hill began early on June 27, 1864. It was a hot, steamy morning on a day when temperatures would reach near 100 degrees. The assault of Pigeon Hill was part of Sherman's overall attack on the Confederate Kennesaw Mountain line. The Federal XV Corps was ordered to assault the hill. Burnt Hickory Road was used a line of approach for the Federal troops. Union Birg. Gen. Andrew Lightburn aligned to the south of the road and moved forward along the road around the south end of Pigeon Hill. North of the road, Federal Brig. Gen. Giles Smith charged directly up Pigeon Hill while Federal Col. Charles Walcutt entered a gorge between Little Kennesaw and the north side of Pigeon Hill
As the attack began, Cockrell's Missourians put a stop to Lightburn's movement with a coverfire directed from their positions on Pigeon Hill's forward slope. The Missouri Brigade then dealt with both Smith and Walcutt. In the dense woods and undergrowth at the base of the hill, Smith's Federals endured deadly fire as they began to climb the incline of Pigeon Hill. Some made it to Confederate parapets, only to be shot down, but most never got near Cockrell's main entrenchments. With the help of a battery of four Napoleon cannons, Cockrell forced the Federals back to the base of the hill. Walcutt was unable even to get near the enemy and was forced out of the gorge due to heavy fire and the gorge's treacherous terrain.
Gen. French later stated, "Whatever credit is due for the complete repulse of this assaulting column, therefore, belongs exclusively to the brigade of Gen. Cockrell, and the left of Gen. Sear's,..." General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of the Army of Tennessee also noted the courage of the Missourians in his reports of the battle.
The print "The Orphans III" portrays the Missouri Brigade atop Pigeon Hill in their main entrenchments. They carry their newly issued Enfield rifles and search for ammunition, as most has been spent on repulsing the enemy. As the Federals retreat, the men are shown climbing out of their entrenchments to taunt their defeated foes. The color bearer is carrying a second national battle flag. The tattered remnants of this flag are now on display at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park outside Marietta, Georgia. The color bearer may be yelling, as one of the Missourians is quoted as saying, "Why don't you come on up, Yanks, and draw your Georgia?"
In October 1863, Cockrell's Missouri Brigade was assigned to Maj. Gen. Samuel French's Division. This Division joined Polk's Corps of the Army of Tennessee at Cassville, Georgia, on May 18, 1864. Thus, the Missouri Brigade entered the Atlanta Campaign.
Cockrell's Brigade received its first casualties of the campaign at New Hope Church and was later bloodied at Lattimer House. On the 19th of June the Confederate Army of Tennessee fell back to a position at Kennesaw Mountain, the last mountain barrier between Sherman and Atlanta. French's Division dug in near the center of the Kennesaw line. The Division occupied Little Kennesaw Mountain and its southern spur, Pigeon Hill. Cockrell's Brigade occupied the hill and overlooked the important Burnt Hickory Road that ran south of Pigeon Hill and through the Confederate line.
The Federal asault on Pigeon Hill began early on June 27, 1864. It was a hot, steamy morning on a day when temperatures would reach near 100 degrees. The assault of Pigeon Hill was part of Sherman's overall attack on the Confederate Kennesaw Mountain line. The Federal XV Corps was ordered to assault the hill. Burnt Hickory Road was used a line of approach for the Federal troops. Union Birg. Gen. Andrew Lightburn aligned to the south of the road and moved forward along the road around the south end of Pigeon Hill. North of the road, Federal Brig. Gen. Giles Smith charged directly up Pigeon Hill while Federal Col. Charles Walcutt entered a gorge between Little Kennesaw and the north side of Pigeon Hill
As the attack began, Cockrell's Missourians put a stop to Lightburn's movement with a coverfire directed from their positions on Pigeon Hill's forward slope. The Missouri Brigade then dealt with both Smith and Walcutt. In the dense woods and undergrowth at the base of the hill, Smith's Federals endured deadly fire as they began to climb the incline of Pigeon Hill. Some made it to Confederate parapets, only to be shot down, but most never got near Cockrell's main entrenchments. With the help of a battery of four Napoleon cannons, Cockrell forced the Federals back to the base of the hill. Walcutt was unable even to get near the enemy and was forced out of the gorge due to heavy fire and the gorge's treacherous terrain.
Gen. French later stated, "Whatever credit is due for the complete repulse of this assaulting column, therefore, belongs exclusively to the brigade of Gen. Cockrell, and the left of Gen. Sear's,..." General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of the Army of Tennessee also noted the courage of the Missourians in his reports of the battle.
The print "The Orphans III" portrays the Missouri Brigade atop Pigeon Hill in their main entrenchments. They carry their newly issued Enfield rifles and search for ammunition, as most has been spent on repulsing the enemy. As the Federals retreat, the men are shown climbing out of their entrenchments to taunt their defeated foes. The color bearer is carrying a second national battle flag. The tattered remnants of this flag are now on display at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park outside Marietta, Georgia. The color bearer may be yelling, as one of the Missourians is quoted as saying, "Why don't you come on up, Yanks, and draw your Georgia?"
