"The Last Ditch" depicts Union commander General Ulysses S. Grant and General Philip Sheridan on horseback in pursuit of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Question to consider while reading about the painting: What makes political cartoons primary sources?

Thomas Nast references the Battle of Five Forks on General Philip Sheridan's shield (see the five forks on the shield). The Battle of Five Forks was a Union victory that cut off the supply lines to the Confederate Army, causing General Lee to retreat to Appomattox Courthouse where he surrendered on April 9, 1865. 

Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) graduated from the United State Military Academy at West Point in 1829. He served in the United States military and in March and April of 1861, was offered to be the general of the Union Army. He declined however, in April, after Virginia seceded saying "to lift my hand against my own State and people is impossible." He resigned from the Union Army and joined the Confederate Virginia forces on April 23. His remarkable tactical skills helped in become commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Although outnumbered, his victories included the Battles of Fredericksburg, Second Manassas, and Chancellorsville. 

After his loss at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, Lee returned to Virginia and finally surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court on April 9, 1865.

In Nast's painting, Lee is beheaded by General Grant and his sword lies broken on the ground, however, he was not beheaded, and lived long after the Civil War ended. 

Why would Nast paint an event that didn't happen? What is he telling his viewers?

Image Credit: Vannerson, Julian. Portrait of Gen. Robert E. Lee, officer of the Confederate Army. United States, 1864. March. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2018666540/.

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) gradutated from the United States Miliatry Academy at West Point in 1843 and served in the Mexican War (1846-1848). Afterward, he resigned from the military, but returned as a colonel at the start of the Civil War in 1861. His first command was over a volunteer regiment, that he quickly improved under his command .  By 1864, he was given command of the entire Union Army. 

After decisive Union victories, General Grant outmaneuvered General Lee's Army at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. Lee surrendered to Grant, ending the Civil War. 

After the Civil War, Grant was appointed the Secretary of War under President Andrew Johnson. In 1868, Grant ran and won the presidential race to become the 18th president from 1869-1877. He served two terms. 

In Nast's painting, General Grant is heroically dressed in gold, red, white, and blue. As mentioned in the Timeline activity, Nast continues to depict Grant small, as "Jack the Giant Killer".  

Why would Nast paint Grant shorter than he actually was? 

Photo Credit:  General U. S. Grant. , ca. 1891. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2018654269/. 

“Moving panoramas”, like Nast's Grand Caricaturama, were popular in the 19th century but they were not constructed for the long term. 

The paintings from The Grand Caricaturama were painted on linen, not canvas. Many 19th-century panoramas were repurposed or thrown away. We know from documentation that this painting, "The Last Ditch", was later used in the studio of another painter. The painter didn’t cut the painting but folded it here.

Standards for The Last Ditch