First Battle of Kernstown

[captnenglish]

I'm in the planning stages of diorama depicting the First Battle of Kernstown (March '62); unfortunately, my copy of Gallagher's book on the Valley Campaign is packed away and everything else I've read does not mention the weather conditions. The painting I am more or else copying, shows Federal troops w/o greatcoats, but snow on the ground. Can anyone help?

 

[Jason W.]

Matt,
Who's painting you going by? The Keith Rocco painting shows Union troops in greatcoats with no snow on the ground, scaling a stone wall. Sorry, I don't have a pic for you but maybe Gary has it in his stash of files. Alfred Waud did a sketch of this battle and has them wearing greatcoats.
I'm not too familar with the battle but from what I've read it was fought on a March afternoon, and I wouldn't doubt the troops being dressed appropiately.
Personally, I like the greatcoat look but you could be safe portraying them w/o. Maybe add a scarf or two...Make them look muddy though!

Good luck. Would be neat to see what you'll be working on.

Jason

 

[captnenglish]

Thanks Jason, I've seen the Rocco print. The painting is by John Paul Strain and can be see here http://www.johnpaulstrain.com/art/large/knight-of-the-valley-large.htm

Unfortunately, I am a crap sculptor, and there aren't too many 54mm figures out there in greatcoats, so either I'll ditch the snow or since the central focus of the dio is Carolina Miniatures figure of General (then Col) Turner Ashby, maybe, I'll just place the scene sometime in the spring of '62 in the Shenandoah Valley.