I have also in progress, the finest Collection of Oil Paintings executed of any battle in this country. The whole to be known as

"THE GETTYSBURG ART GALLERY."

I have divided the Battle into a series of episodes, beginning with its commencement and continuing to its close, each to embrace such movements and operations as of themselves form a complete unit. Of each, I make an accurate historical design, which design I place in the hands of some eminent battle-scene painter, who will be responsible for the artistic rendering of the subject. Each painting is to be 7x4 ft., and when completed, will be exhibited in the places

where the regiments represented in it were raised. The whole, together, will form a most complete and graphic representation of the Battle from its commencement to the close. Each of these paintings will be engraved on steel, and hereafter engravings may be had representing actual scenes, which, having been designed under the personal direction of the participants themselves, will possess the merit of historical truth.

It must not be understood that this whole work is to be put in hand at once. It will be taken up in detail, and continued as rapidly as I have time and means to attend to it. I shall be happy to correspond with those interested in any portion of the Battle. When convenient, it will be better to call a meeting, at Gettysburg, of the officers of the command to be represented, before commencing a painting, that all the details may be properly arranged. I have already made a design,

representing the " charge " of the 6th Wisconsin, 95th N. Y., and 14th N. Y. S. M., on the first day, resulting in the capture of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, which is now being painted by Alonzo Chappel, Esq., the eminent historical painter. I have recently met, at Gettysburg, the officers of the 3d Division, 1st Army Corps, and under their direction completed a design of their engagement on the afternoon of the first day, which will also embrace the movements of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. This picture is now being painted by the distinguished battle-scene painter, James Walker, Esq.

Fine Steel Engravings will be published from these paintings. Size (engraved surface), 12 x 21 in.

PRICES:

Prints, $5.00; Plain Proofs, $10.00; India Proofs, $15.00; Artist's Proofs, $25.00.

Mr. Walker has just completed for me, his graphic representation of

on the afternoon of the third day, which will be exhibited in the principal cities of the country. This is also from my historical design, and has been painted under my immediate direction. Mr. Walker spent weeks at Gettysburg, transcribing the portraiture of the field to canvas, which has been done in the most pleasing and lifelike manner. We have received in this matter the kindest support and co-operation of the officers of the army, engaged on that portion of the field.

Many distinguished general officers, on my invitation, visited Gettysburg, and went over the field with us, and pointed out all the details of this great turning point of the Rebellion; each explaining the movements of their several commands. Among those present at different times, were Generals Meade, Hancock, Gibbon, Howard, Doubleday, Stannard, Hunt, Warren, Humphreys, Graham, Burling, De Trobriand, Wistar, and Dana; together with a large number of Field, Line, and Staff-Officers. Most of these gentlemen have since kindly called at Mr. Walker's studio, and aided the work with their advice. Many others, who were unable to meet with us at Gettysburg, have, at considerable trouble, visited the studio in New York; among them, Generals Webb, Hall, Newton, Hazard, Sickles, Ward, Brewster, Berdan, and Gates, and Generals Wilcox and Longstreet, of the Confederate Army; the latter taking great interest in the painting, and leaving me a fine letter indorsing its accuracy. This painting has been designed strictly in conformity to the directions of these gentlemen, given on the field for that purpose, and from the Reports of the Confederate Commanders, furnished to me by the Government.

This great representative Battle-scene has not its equal in America, for correctness of design or accuracy of execution. Gibbon's and Hays's Divisions and the Corps Artillery, occupy the immediate foreground. It is on a canvas 7×20 feet, and represents, not only every Regiment engaged at that portion of the field, but where the formation of the ground would admit, the entire left wing is shown. It presents such an accurate and lifelike portrait of the country, that on it the movements of the first and second day's operations can readily be traced. No important scene has been screened behind large foreground figures, or, for the want of a knowledge of the details, hidden by convenient puffs of smoke; but every feature of this gigantic struggle has, in its proper place, been woven into a symmetrical whole.

A fine steel plate is also to be engraved of this picture, which will be accompanied by a Key, by which the position of every Regiment and Battery can be determined.

PRICE OF ENGRAVINGS.

Print, $10.-Plain Proof, $25.-India Proof, $60.-Artist Proof (limited to 200 copies), $100.

The following gentlemen, intimately identified with the Battle of Gettysburg, and exercising the highest commands at the battle, kindly furnished me these letters, as indorsements to an application to examine Confederate Reports of the Battle of Gettysburg, at the War Department.

"PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 3, 1867.

GENERAL:

*

* Mr. Bachelder has accumulated a vast amount of official and reliable testimony on our side, and I am of the opinion his work will be as truthful as the data in his possession will admit; I am greatly interested in his application being granted, and would most earnestly recommend permission being given him to examine the Confederate Reports, in case you do not see any strong reasons preventing it. Very truly yours,

"GENERAL U. S. GRANT,

"Sec, War, ad interim."

PERMISSION GRANTED.

"GEO. G. MEADE,

"Major-General, U. S. A

[Extract of a letter from Major-General Humphreys, Chief of the Corps of Engineers.]

"GENERAL:

"WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 14, 1867.

66 * * * The information which Mr. Bachelder has collected concerning the Battle of Gettysburg, is extraordinary in amount and correctness. So far as I am able to judge, there is no battle of any war respecting which so many truthful accounts, so many exact details, have been collected and compiled. From every source, from the private to the general commanding the army, facts have been collected, and where discrepancies were found, evidence was multiplied, and in this way errors have been dissipated. Mr. Bachelder has peculiar qualifications for the task he has undertaken, and has devoted four years to it.

**

**

NOTE. The wood-cuts interspersed through this circular have been engraved to illustrate secnes in the

Battle of Gettysburg, and with many others will appear in the History of that Battle.

ORIGIN OF THIS HISTORICAL PAINTING.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, was assassinated by JOHN WILKES BOOTH, on the night of April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C. This night, fraught with woe to the peoples of two continents, sombered by its halo of diabolism, must forever remain the Golgotha of American history.

At the threshold of the temple of peace-the High Priest was stricken down-and the great heart whose every throb was a pulsation of love for his country's enemies, was robed in silence. In company with Mrs. LINCOLN, Miss HARRIS, and Major RATHBONE, Mr. LINCOLN had sought a brief respite from the iron wheel of State toil, and in the search, through the medium of the assassin's bullet, found a respite for all time.

Immediately after the fatal shot was fired, and under direction of Assistant-Surgeons LEALE and TAFT, he was removed to a private house, and placed upon a couch in a small bedroom. ROBERT LINCOLN, General TODD, and Dr. TODD, cousins of Mrs. LINCOLN, and other personal friends, speedily arrived. His family physician, Dr. STONE, and Surgeon-General BARNES, accompanied by Asst.-Surgeon General CRANE, were in early attendance, and later he was visited by Drs. HALL and LIEBERMANN, and other eminent physicians, all of whom agreed that the wound was unto death. The bullet had entered the back of his head, and lodged behind the right eye.

Mr. LINCOLN was visited during the night by Vice-President JouNsoN and the entire cabinet, except Mr. SEWARD, including Secretaries MCCULLOCH, STANTON, WELLES, and USHER, Postmaster-General DENNISON, and Attorney-General SPEED, together with Asst.-Secretaries FIELD, ECKERT, and OTTO. There were also present, Speaker COLFAX, Chief-Justice CARTTER, Senator WILSON, Representatives FARNSWORTH, ARNOLD, MARSTON, and ROLLINS, Governor OGLESBY, accompanied by Adjutant-General HAYNIE, Major HAY, Generals AUGER, MEIGS, and HALLECK, Ex-Governor FARWELL, Rev. Dr. GURLEY, and Commissioner FRENCH, Colonels VINCENT PELOUZE and RUTHERFORD, and Major ROCKWELL. Early in the night Mrs. LINCOLN sent for Mrs. Senator D:xox, who was accompanied by her sister and niece, Mrs. KINNEY and daughter. There were also a few others present during the night, but never more than half of those represented on the painting at any one time.

By the publicity of the assassination it was soon known throughout the city, and thousands crowded the avenues leading to the house where the President lay.

The news of this tragic event flashed with the speed of lightning throughout the land. From Maine to California consternation reigned, and feelings of surprise and grief were depicted on every face. The great man now martyred had for more than four years held the highest place in the gift of the American people, and on him their hopes had centered. The designer of the painting of

"THE LAST HOURS OF LINCOLN,”

JNO. B. BACHELDER, arrived in Washington on the night of his death, and being impressed with the historic importance of the event, at once determined to collect such materials as should be necessary for an historical picture commemorating that sad scene, and should the demand warrant it, to publishing a steelplate engraving from it. The design for the painting was soon completed, and arrangements having been made with BRADY & Co., Photographers, as soon as the remains of the President left the city each of the persons represented were visited, and at their convenience were posed and photographed in the position which they now occupy in the painting. It being important that the best possible original shonld be had for the engraver's use, the design was placed in the hands of ALONZO CHAPEL, Esq., the historical painter, to whose genius the painting is to be credited. Much of its completeness is due to the kindness and attention of the persons represented; as all cheerfully gave their time for frequent sittings, both to the designer and painter.

No expense has been spared to produce a work worthy the scene it represents, and the high encomiums given it by eminent judges is the best proof of the result.

To publish any thing now short of a first-class copy of such a painting would be a breach of confidence to those who have so kindly aided in its production. The proprietor has therefore decided to have this picture engraved in the finest style of line and stipple, the engraved surface of the plate to be 18 x 31 inches; believing that nothing short of a genuine work of art will meet the approval, and secure the patronage of the American people, and to those interested the proprietor can most confidently promise a suitable memento of their departed chief.

The engraving is being executed by H. B. HALL, Jr., Esq., the eminent engraver upon steel. PRICE OF ENGRAVINGS.-PRINTS, $15.00; A PROOFS, $35.00: INDIA PROOFS, $60.00; ARTIST'S PROOFS (limited to 200 copies which will be numbered and signed by the artist and engraver), $100.00.

A beautiful engraved and photographic Key to the Engraving, will be presented to the subscribers. It is a complete picture of itself, and may be had in advance by subscribers only.

JOHN B. BACHELDER, PUBLISHER, 59 Beekman Street, New York.