(New Orleans, Louisiana/British, 1852-1901) The Confederate Ram [Arkansas] running through the U.S. Navy fleet at Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 15,1862, signed lower right "W.L. Challoner 98", oil on canvas, 44 x 67-1/2 in.; original exhibition frame,. Condition: original stretcher and tacking edge, crackle, faint stretcher marks, a few small points of retouch, abrasion from frame at edges; frame resurfaced with abrasions. Notes: Scott L. Probasco, Jr. put together a collection of important American paintings with the intent of looking only for the finest examples of the artist’s oeuvre. He donated a large portion to the permanent collection of the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the late 1970’s. This rare and important work by Captain William Lindsay Challoner is exceptional in every way and falls into the collection guidelines set forth by Probasco. It was retained by the family and exhibited at the American National Bank and Trust Company in Chattanooga. A note that hung near the painting states; “In 1862, the Confederates established a navy yard at Yazoo City, Mississippi, to complete construction of the ironclad ram, the [Arkansas]. This ship had been partially constructed at Memphis, Tennessee and Greenwood, Mississippi. On her first voyage, the [Arkansas] victoriously engaged four U.S. fleets on the Mississippi River and lifted the Vicksburg siege. Later, after she had received a broadside by the federal battleship [Essex] the Confederate crew set fire to the [Arkansas]. The captain of the [Arkansas] William L. Challoner, was also the artist and depicted himself on the top deck of the ship.” This scene depicts the [Arkansas] in its last great moment running through a U.S. Navy fleet at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on the 15th of July 1862. In this celebrated action, she inflicted more damage than she received. She was later destroyed by her crew to prevent capture by Union forces. On February 20th, 1898, [The Times-Democrat] ran an article mentioning the painting "..Reposing on an easel at the studio of Capt. William L. Challoner….depicts the Confederate ram [Arkansas] coming to the relief of Vicksburg...". Provenance: Captain William Lindsay Challoner, New Orleans; Estate of Scott L. Probasco, Jr., Chattanooga, Tennessee; by descent in family original stretcher and tacking edge, crackle, faint stretcher marks, a few small points of retouch, abrasion from frame at edges; frame resurfaced with abrasions