^Lot 130F GAINES' MILLS #996 /2500

GAINES' MILLS #996 /2500
Approx : 4.2 LBS
Francis J. Barnum “Gaines Mill” Chilmark Fine Pewter Sculpture – Limited Edition
Exceptional Civil War scene by renowned sculptor Francis J. Barnum, depicting the intensity of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill. Finely cast in pewter with intricate detail and mounted on original wood base. Limited edition (numbered), circa 1989. A highly collectible piece from the Chilmark Civil War series.
Dimensions: approx. 8" tall, base 9" x 7".
The Battle of Gaines' Mill, fought on June 27, 1862, was the third of the Seven Days' Battles during the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched a massive assault against Union General Fitz John Porter’s entrenched V Corps in Hanover County, Virginia. After successfully repelling disjointed Confederate attacks for most of the day, Union lines eventually broke under a massive Confederate evening charge spearheaded by Hood's Texas Brigade. The Union troops were forced to retreat across the Chickahominy River, resulting in a crucial Confederate victory that saved Richmond from capture and ultimately doomed the Union's Peninsula Campaign.

American Battlefield Trust
+6
Here are the key details and legacy of the battle:
Forces and Casualties
Union: Approximately 34,000 men (led by Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter).
Confederate: Approximately 60,000 men (led by Gen. Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson).
Casualties: The intense fighting resulted in about 15,000 total casualties (approx. 9,000 Confederate and 6,000 Union).

National Park Service (.gov)
+2
Strategic Impact
A Change in Strategy: Although the Confederates suffered higher casualties, the victory shattered Union General George B. McClellan's confidence. Convinced he was heavily outnumbered, McClellan abandoned his campaign to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond and began a retreat toward the James River.
Lee’s Offensive Capability: Gaines' Mill was Lee’s first major tactical victory and highlighted the aggressive, decisive style of warfare he would employ throughout the rest of the war.

American Battlefield Trust
+3
Key Highlights
The Breakthrough: For hours, the Union V Corps held a strong defensive line behind Boatswain's Swamp. Just before sunset, Confederate infantry—most notably the Texas Brigade led by Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood—mounted a desperate charge that pierced the Federal line.
The Cavalry's Sacrifice: In a desperate attempt to stall the Confederate advance and allow Union artillery to escape, the 5th U.S. Cavalry launched a charge against the Confederate flank. The charge failed, resulting in devastating losses for the cavalry, but it bought the infantry precious time to fall back.
Battlefield Location: Portions of the battlefield are preserved today as part of the Richmond National Battlefield Park, and the site famously intersects with the grounds of the later Battle of Cold Harbor (1864)
What “The Cavalier” statue is
A limited-edition pewter sculpture produced in the 1990s (commonly by Chilmark).
Depicts a mounted Civil War cavalry officer—well-groomed, bearded, and posed in a composed, almost aristocratic style.
The title “Cavalier” reflects the romanticized image of a gentleman soldier (historically, “cavalier” means a horseman or aristocratic fighter).

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