Painting of the

 56th New York State Volunteers 

at the

"Battle of Fair Oaks, Va."

56th N.Y.S.V. at Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31, 1862

On May 31, 1862, the 56th New York Volunteers while occupying an advanced position at Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, made one of the most desperate, bloody fights of the war.  Casey's division, in which the 56th New York Volunteers were a part of, opposed a superior force of not less than 30,000 Confederate soldiers.  Three times the Confederates charged to within a bayonet's reach, but they held their line, sending the opposing army back each time with great loss to their numbers.  The division was ordered to hold their position "at all hazards," as it was necessary in order to give the balance of the army time to cross the Chickahominy and come up in support.  If not,  Casey and Couch's divisions would have been captured or wiped out, and in all probability, the Army of the Potomac would have been defeated.  With a loss of almost one half their numbers, they had the proud consolation of knowing that their division's actions and stubborn resistance saved the Army of the Potomac from a great disaster.

Painting of the 56th New York State Volunteers

A tribute to the actions of the 56th New York State Volunteers at Fair Oaks is now available on giclee prints.  The original painting, done by military artist Jay Brooks, is now being reproduced, on your choice of canvas or acid free paper, by a process that is the closest duplication of the original painting that is humanly, mechanically and technically available on the market today.  Individually signed and numbered by artist Jay Brooks, the 14"x18" giclee prints are available for $175.00 plus $8.00 shipping, which includes insurance.  Jay Brooks is donating a portion of the proceeds to be used toward the preservation of the 56th NYSV Regimental Flag.

To Order your signed and numbered giclee print of the 56th New York State Volunteers at Fair Oaks, please send a check or money order to:

56th New York Volunteers Inc.

C/O Tom Klein

PO Box 108

North Branch, NY 12766

Please Specify acid free paper or canvas.  Also, all checks must clear before shipping.