Nice account of the Battle of Antietam in a Confederate newspaper...

Item # 649565

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October 06, 1862

THE COUNTRYMAN, Turnwold, Putnam County, Georgia, Oct. 6, 1862

* Only known title to be published on a Southern Plantation (Turnwold Plantation)
* From Joel Chandler Harris's own personal collection
* Non-J.C.H. issues are quite valuable in and of themselves
* Battle of Antietam - Sharpsburg, Maryland

A fascinating little newspaper which perhaps is most famous for being the only newspaper published on a Southern plantation. It was published by Joseph A. Turner on his plantation named “Turnwold" some 9 miles from Eatonton. He used the “Countryman” to voice his pro-Confederate views as a staunch advocate of slavery.
Also of interest is the "printer' devil" (typesetter) for Mr. Turner was Joel Candler Harris who worked at Turnwold when he was 14 years old. Joel Chandler Harris went on to write the Uncle Remus, Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox stories based on the stories he heard told by the slaves at Turnwold Plantation during his time working for this newspaper.
This issue comes from the personal collection of Joel Chandler Harris handed down to his youngest daughter, Mildred Harris Camp, then to her granddaughter from whom we purchased the issue.
The prime feature is a great eye-witness account of the historic Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) headed: "Letter From J.B.R." It includes: "...fell back...to Sharpsburg where we made a stand...kept up from Monday until Wednesday when the most bloody battle of the war commenced. The battle continued the whole day without the least cessation...At one time I thought all hopes of success were gone. Our boys fell as regularly & as fast as counting one, two, three..." with more.
Included also is a very interesting article: "Guessing" which includes: "Why will many of the Southern people persist in imitating the Yankees in some off their worst provincialisms? To do this was bad enough before our separation...all Southerners of good taste avoided those Yankeeisms in language as they would the plague...we should much more carefully & rigidly clear our skirts from all Yankee peculiarities whether of opinion, manners, dress, or dialect. Let us eschew the devil and his works..." and more.
Another item of note is found on the back page under: "Prospectus," which includes details regarding the publication, and is signed in block type, "J.A. TURNER." (see image)
Complete in 8 pages, 8 3/4 by 11 1/2 inches, foxing & light damp staining, nice condition.

Category: Confederate