Framed Battle of Spottsylvania, 1864 by Kurz and Allison

Battle of Spottsylvania, 1864 by Kurz and Allison portrays one of the bloodiest and most brutal engagements of the American Civil War with the dramatic flair characteristic of the lithography firm. The scene is filled with intense close-quarters combat as Union and Confederate soldiers clash in dense formations amid smoke, mud, and shattered earthworks. Artillery flashes in the background while officers on horseback urge their men forward, adding to the chaos and urgency of the moment. Though stylized and somewhat idealized, the image likely references the infamous struggle at the “Bloody Angle,” where soldiers fought relentlessly at point-blank range for nearly 20 hours. Through vivid color and action-packed composition, the print emphasizes heroism and sacrifice on both sides while capturing the ferocity of one of the most harrowing battles of the Overland Campaign.