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Incredible Battle of Gettysburg reporting...
Incredible Battle of Gettysburg reporting...
Item # 582467
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July 25, 1863
SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, July 25, 1863
* One of the best regarding the Battle of Gettysburg!
A very rare publication from the Confederacy, only a few issues of which having come into our inventory over the past 35 years. Although much of the content was literary in nature, there are news reports and a few illustrations.
The front page is dominated by a print of: "Gen. William Loring" with the balance of the ftpg. taken up with a biography of him.
Certainly the prime content in this issue is the terrific account of the Battle of Gettysburg from the Confederate perspective, which provides much bias in favor of the actions of Lee and his army. The photos show the full report, taking most of a column, however portions include: "On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (1st, 2d and 3d of July) was fought the great battle of Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, between the forces of Gen. Lee and the Yankee army under the command of Gen. Meade, who succeeds Hooker, superseded for incompetency...For the first two days our troops drove those of the enemy before them...Gen. Lee renewed the attack on the enemy & drove him to some strong entrenchments...These entrenchments were stormed after severe fighting & the victory remained with us. But Gen. Lee...fell slowly back. He had taken a large number of prisoners & to secure them he fell back to Hagerstown. The Yankees had already retreated before he did, but he was not aware of the fact. Had he been so, we might have pressed them, in all probability, until they had become entirely demoralized. As it was, finding that he also had begun to fall back, the Yankees returned to the field & raised a shout of victory. The most astounding lies were telegraphed to the cities...Lee's army, according to them, had been completely routed & disorganized...The terrible Yankee cavalry were in pursuit...In the meantime a telegram announcing a great victory & the capture of 40,000 Yankees had been received in Richmond & the people were jubilant. Suddenly their joy was cut short by the arrival of the flag of truce boat with the Yankee papers. Something very like a panic succeeded. The people seemed to take the Yankee lies for gospel...Before the end of the week the truth with regard to Lee began to come out. He had gained a great victory & captured thousands of prisoners. He had fallen back to Hagerstown at his leisure & in the most perfect order. The Yankees had not dared to pursue him..." with even more.
A great account of perhaps the most famous & crucial battle of the Civil War, from the Confederate's perspective.
Much of the balance of the issue is taken up with literary items, although there is an interesting article titled: "A Typical Negro" concerning the July 4 issue of Harper's Weekly and the slavery issue (see). The back page has a rather large advertisements for the printing of a book: "The Life of STONEWALL JACKSON The Hero of the Present War for Independence..." (see).
Begun on September 13, 1862 the "Southern Illustrated News" sought to fill the void left when the Southern States lost access to Harper’s Weekly and other illustrated newspapers from the North. In its “Salutatory,” in the first issue the editors state: "...We propose to issue an Illustrated Family Newspaper…devoted to literature, to public instruction and amusement, to general news, and to the cause of our country in this trying hour when she is engaged in a terrible, but resolute and hopeful struggle for her liberty and independence..." Although it could be argued it never lived up to all of these goals as reports from the war were very limited, it was an important publication nonetheless. At its peak boasting as many subscribers as the largest daily paper in Richmond. As with all Southern publications it suffered from lack of supplies, reporters, artists and engravers as many had been drafted either into the military or into the service of the Confederate administration to engrave paper money and stamps. The engravings were crude when compared to Yankee publications.
Eight pages, various light foxing throughout, generally in very nice condition.
Category: Confederate
No Longer Available
