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[ A Nation Divided | Main Index | Civil War Reference Books ]
Both the North and the South claimed George Washington as their 'patron saint,' arguing that it was their opponent who was forsaking the principals of the Founding Fathers. Here Washington is shown breaking up a fight between a Massachusetts and Virginia volunteer at the beginning of the Revolution. The message is clear, that the Father of His Country would not want the North and the South to be fighting. There was still belief in the early days of the war that the division between the states could be patched over, a hope that proved in vain. $25
Other Harper's Weekly allegories linking Washington with the Union:
A cartoon from the beginning of the war when many in the North believed their show of resolve would cause Southerners to sue for peace. $25
"Johnson's New Chart of National Emblems." [Flags of the World]. Stone lithography (hand colored). New York: Johnson & Ward, 1863. 16 7/8 x 23 1/8. Center fold as issued. Slight browning. A few chips around the edges, else fine and bright.
A colorful image of flags and signals from around the world, including a number of American flags such as the "American Jack" and a flag of the Hawaiian Islands. Of particular note is the inclusion in this edition of the chart of the flag for the "Confederate States of America (so called)." $225
Lithograph "From A Pfotho[gr.]" "The Battle Of Bull's Run." 1861. Lithograph. 11 5/8 x 17 3/4. A few repaired tears, and chips in margins. Bottom right corner missing, just affecting last word of attribution. Otherwise, very good image and condition. Weitenkampf: 130.
An unusual pro-Confederate cartoon, lampooning the Northern forces and politicians in the wake of the first Battle of Bull Run, July 1861. In this early engagement of the Civil War, the Union attack on the Confederate position was turned back. An initially orderly retreat turned into a full-fledged rout, with the troops racing back to Washington. The battle is noteworthy for the many politicians and civilians, including many women, who carriaged from Washington in order to watch an anticipated Union victory. These spectators joined in the flight after the battle, adding significantly to the confusion and panic. This print caricatures the Union troops, politicians, and civilians, including "ladies as sputatiers," all of whom are shown fleeing from the Confederate troops in the background. A key at bottom identifies many of the participants, including Jeff. Davis, Gen. McDowell, and several members of Congress. The central figures are from the New York Fire Zouave troop, who were routed by the Virginia Black Horse Cavalry. This event was a long-time sore point for the Union infantry and was ridiculed in a number of popular illustrations, including this one. This separately issued print is unidentified other than the claim that it was based on a 'pfothograph.' Though pro-Southern, the print may have been issued in the North, where sympathies had not yet fully swung behind the Union cause. $1,200
"Distinguished Militia Genl. During an Action." New York: Currier & Ives, ca. 1861-62. Lithograph. With old creases and folds. A few expertly repaired tears. Print professionally conserved and lined with rice paper. Weitenkampf, Political Caricatures in the United States: p. 131. C: 1591.
A rare Civil War cartoon issued by the famous Currier & Ives lithographic firm of New York. From 1834 to 1907 Nathaniel Currier, and then Currier and Ives, provided for the American people a pictorial history of their country's growth from an agricultural society to an industrialized one. These prints had a profound effect on popular culture, both reflecting and influencing the tastes, attitudes and perception of the world held by many Americans. One type of print they issued were cartoons lampooning politicians and other figures of the day. In this case, the firm is caricaturing the volunteer militia officers in the Union Army, who held their positions more because of political or financial influence than for any reasons of military competence. The image shows a "Distinguished Militia Genl." reading a book of tactics in the midst of a fight, while his men lie dying at the feet of his horse. A Confederate officer is shown stopping one of his men from shooting the general with the comment, "we shall never lose while he commands." A rare and delightful Civil War cartoon. $650
"Jeff Rampant./ War." -- "Jeff Subdued./ Peace." Hartford: E.B. & E.C. Kellogg & New York: Geo. Witing; Chicago: Golden & Sammons, 1864. 11 5/8 x 8 3/8. Lithograph. Original hand color. Small chip in one corner. Else, very good condition.
A delightful satire on Jefferson Davis issued during the Civil War. The print has a double image, with a different message when held upright from when held upside-down. Viewed upright, the image is a caricature of Jefferson Davis with a legend that says "Jeff. Rampant." Below is a poem that describes a "warrior" bravely heading to the front. When inverted, however, the portrait becomes an image of an ass, with the legend "Jeff. Subdued." Below this is a verse that tells of the warrior, seeing the battle itself, who "homeward travels like an ass." A rare, and delightful example of anti-southern war propaganda issued during the war. $950
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