Frank Leslie’s illustration, “Bombardment of Fort Henry, Tennessee on the Mississippi,” captures the intensity of the February 1862 Union attack that marked a turning point in the Civil War. Smoke billows from Fort Henry, a Confederate stronghold perched precariously on the banks of the churning Mississippi River. Union gunboats, dwarfing the fort with their imposing dark shapes and rows of cannons, unleash a relentless barrage. Balls of fire streak through the air, highlighting the chaos and destruction. In the distance, flames lick at the sky, hinting at damage inflicted beyond the fort’s walls. The Tennessee shore appears deserted, save for a lone figure, perhaps a fleeing Confederate soldier, dwarfed by the immensity of the battle. Leslie’s dynamic composition and use of contrasting light and shadow bring the scene to life, conveying the raw power of the Union navy and the desperate struggle for control of the Mississippi River.