Historic Newspapers: Abraham Lincoln & The Civil War

NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 28, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "Department Of The Gulf" "Encouraging Prospects in Texas" "Gen. Washburn Moving Upon Indianola & Lavacca" "The Navigation of the Mississippi Less Interrupted" "The Free State Convention" "From Fortress Monroe" "The Army Of The Potomac "The Arizona Expedition" and more. 
War-related content inside as well, including a lengthy article: "Negro Equality in the South".
Eight pages, great condition.

NEW YORK WORLD, Feb. 12, 1862  The front page has: "Important Resolutions Of Senator Sumner", which is followed by the full text of his historic series of resolutions outlining what quickly became known as his radical "State Suicide Theory." 

Alongside this landmark constitutional argument, the issue features ongoing reports and official dispatches from the front lines of the American Civil War which help to provide context. The front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The War In

NEW YORK TIMES, May 31, 1862  The front page features a very nice map headed: "RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY FROM CORINTH" with the map showing from New Orleans to Memphis, to Pensacola.

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "ANOTHER TRIUMPH" "Corinth in Possession of Gen. Halleck" "Important Events Proceeding the Evacuation" "Heavy Fighting & Important Positions Gained" "Retreat of the Rebels & Occupation of Corinth by Our Forces" and more.

Eight pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 1862  Page 2 of this issue features a report titled "THE LATE BURNING AT HARPER'S FERRY," detailing the destruction of portions of the town by Union forces. Page 3 carries a report on the "BRILLIANT SUCCESS OF GENERAL BURNSIDE'S EXPEDITION," with subheads including "Two Thousand Prisoners Taken" and "Elizabeth City Burnt By The Rebels," providing detailed coverage of the North Carolina campaign.

The historical interest of this issue lies

NEW YORK HERALD, April 25, 1865  All columns on all 8 pages are black-bordered in memory of Abraham Lincoln. Two-thirds of the first column are taken up with nice heads concerning the funeral of Abraham Lincoln including: "HONORS To the MARTYR PRESIDENT" "Our Tribute to the Lamented Dead" "Arrival of the Cortege" "The Body In State" "The Procession to the City Hall" "Scene of Sadness & Sorrow" "Incidents of the Obsequies" & much more.

Further reporting on the funeral on pages 4, 5 and 8…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 4, 1861 

* President Abraham Lincoln
* 1st State of the Union Address

Most of page 2 is taken up with: "The President's Message" being the annual state-of-the-union address of the President to Congress, signed in type at its conclusion: Abraham Lincoln.

Logically, much of his focus is on the on-going Civil War and its progress, although there is much more about the state of the nation. Page 3 has an editorial headed: "The President's…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 16, 1865  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "LATE SOUTHERN NEWS" "Rapid Progress Of Sherman" "South Carolina Under His Heel" "He Seizes All The Railroads" "Circumvallates Charleston" "Cuts The Confederacy In Twain" and more.
Inside has much on the war as well, incluiding the back page: "From Gen. Sherman's Army" with many subheads.
Eight pages, nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 10, 1981 

* HIV/AIDS becoming known to the public 
* Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
* Prior to it receiving it's official name 
* Gay-Related Immune Deficiency

Page 10 has a one column heading: "Homosexuals Found Particularity Liable To Common Viruses" (see images) 
I suspect this issue to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
Complete with all 48 pages, nice condition.

Background: The intense media reports on December 9 and…

THE LEISURE HOUR, London, Sept. 12, 1861 This 12 page issue measures 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches and is "A Family Journal Of Instruction And Recreation" with 2 illustrations.
Nice condition.

Background: The September 12, 1861 issue of The Leisure Hour (No. 507) stands as a vital cultural artifact that highlights the shifting media landscape and socio-political anxieties of Victorian Britain. Published under the direction of the Religious Tract Society, this particular weekly issue embodies the…

ADVOCATE FAMILY GUARDIAN, New York, April 15, 1865  

* Printed the Day President Lincoln was Assassinated
* Slavery content

The front page has an article discussing slavery and how Christians should have risen to protest to be, "saved from participation in National guilt...".
Additionally, the front page has a poem which ironacally discusses the death of someone who will never be forgoten. What a beautiful, accidental tribute to the President who was about to be mourned and who did rise and stand…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 6, 1865  

* Soldiers' National Monument
* Gettysburg battlefield cemetery 
* Laying the cornerstone celebration

Much coverage on the celebration of the 4th of July, the first since the end of the Civil War. The front page includes: "The Gettysburg Celebration" "Laying the Corner-Stone of the Monument--An Oration and a Poem--A Letter from the President".
Page 4 includes: "Home, Sweet Home!" which begins: "Mrs. Jefferson Davis...writes in March last from Montgomery, that she…

PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL, New York, May, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination w/ print

 Phrenology is a theory that the personality traits of a person can be derived from the shape of their skull. Although holding no validity today, it was a popular science in the mid-19th century and this periodical focused on it.
The feature of this issue is the page near the back which is devoted to Abraham Lincoln, including a nice portrait of him and a black-bordered article on his life.
Seven other pages has…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 2, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "From Gen. Hooker's Army" "Rumors of a Battle & a Victory" "The Rappahannock Crossed Both Above & Below Fredericksburgh" "Important From the Mississippi" "Gen. Grant's Army to Motion with Six Days' Rations" "Skirmishing Near New Bern and Little Washington" "Defeat of the Rebels & Capture of Prisoners" and more.
Additional war-related reports inside as well including: "The War In the Far West" & "Jefferson Davis…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 7, 1862 

* CSS Manassas ironclad ship

War reports are found on pages 4 & 5 with column heads including: "The War For The Union" 'The Abolition of Slavery in the District" "The Confiscation Bill" "The Rebel Blockade Run" "The Latest About the Merrimac" "Rebel Force on the Peninsula" "The Advance Upon Yorktown" and much more.
Page 6 has a print of: "Hollins's Gunboat the 'Manassas' or 'Turtle' " with very descriptive text. This was the first ironclad built for the…

The DAILY PROGRESS, New Bern, North Carolina, Aug. 2, 1861 

* Very rare Confederate publication

This is a single sheet newspaper with just a one column masthead, not uncommon from the Confederacy where newsprint was often difficult to come by. From the early part of the Civil War with many items relating to it, including article headed "Resolutions of Mississippi on the Victories in Virginia" is concerning Bull Run; and "Admission of Missouri as a Member of the Southern Confederacy" includes the…

NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 8, 1863  Perhaps the most notable content is the back page exchange of letters: "President Lincoln To Mr. Wood" and then: "Mr. Wood to President Lincoln", each signed in type.
On December 12, 1862, President  Lincoln wrote a confidential letter to Fernando Wood, a New York Congressman and former mayor, addressing rumors that the Southern states were prepared to cease resistance and return to the Union. He responded to Wood's claim that an "informed" and "reliable" source…

NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 31, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "IMPORTANT REBEL NEWS" "An Attack Upon the Rebel Rifle Pits on Wednesday" "The Shelling of Charleston" "Explosion of Shells in Streets & Warehouses" "Death of John B. Floyd" (Confederate general who lost the battle of Fort Donelson); "Important From New Orleans" "Commerce of the Mississippi" "Important From Tennessee" "Movements of Gen. Rosecrans' Army".
Inside includes: "The Case of Michael Barrett, the…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 25, 1863  

* Invasion of Maryland & Pennsylvania
* Confederates advance towards Gettysburg
* General Robert E. Lee's rebel forces 
* History about to be made (historic)
* Less than a week away 

The front page has some nice & detailed reporting on the advance of the Confederates into the North, with first column heads including: "THE REBELS IN PENNYSLVANIA" "Gen. Ewell Invading the State in Force" "Jenkins' Cavalry In Advance" "His Force Near Carlisle" "The Rebels…

NEW YORK HERALD, Sept. 21, 1861  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "THE REEBELLION" "Important News From Missouri" "Additional Particulars of the Battle at Lexington" "The Enemy's Assaults on the Town Repulsed with Sever Loss" "Sharp Skirmishing at Black River & on the Kansas Border" "Preparations for Active Hostilities in Kentucky" "The Loyalists of Kentucky Joining the Union Army" and more.
Eight pages, minor foxing at front page folds, good condition.

NEW YORK HERALD, Sept. 24, 1861  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "THE REBELLION" "Surrender of Col. Mulligan to the Rebels" "Gen. Fremont About to Take the Field" "Gallant Fight & Rout of Rebels at Mariatown" "Destruction of the Rebel Fortification at Ocracoke Inlet" "Opening of the Campaign in Kentucky" and more.
Eight pages, good condition.

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, March 18, 1865  

* Final weeks of the Civil War
* Rare pro-white - slavery title

A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provide a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
Some articles include: "Confederate Congress" "Corruption in the White House" "Who Are the Friends of the Negro?" "The American Flag In Mourning" Sherman's Army in North Carolina"…

WESTERN SENTINEL, Winston, North Carolina, May 8, 1863  

* Rare Confederate title from the Civil War

This is a very rare title from the Confederacy. According to Brigham only four institutions in the United States have any holdings of this title from the Civil War, most just a few scattered issues. The American Antiquarian Society has no issues recorded from this era.
Among the front page reports are those headed: "Confederate Powder Mills" "Mississippi" "Gen. Hill To His Command" "Desperate…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, Jan. 17, 1863 

* Capital of the Confederacy

 Not only a newspaper from the Confederacy, but from the capital of the Confederate States. The front page has: "Late Northern News" and a report from Charleston, and: "The Blockading Ashore--Surrender of Officers & Men--No Tidings of the Fleet" and also much reporting from the "Virginia Legislature".
The back page has a lengthy editorial, always interesting reading in this title. The back page also has 2 1/2 columns…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, May 5, 1863  

* Second Battle of Fredericksburg w/ map
* Chancellorsville campaign - Virginia

The front page is dominated by a huge Civil War map headed: "THE SITUATION IN VIRGINIA" which takes about half of the page.
Many front page column heads including: "Advance Of The Potomac Army" "The Enemy In Retreat" "Left Wing Behind Fredericksburg" "The Rebels Forced to Fight on Gen. Hooker's Ground" "The Battle of Warrenton Junction" "A Severe Cavalry Engagement" "The Rebel Raid From…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 21, 1863 

* Invasion of Maryland & Pennsylvania
* Rebels advance towards Gettysburg
* History about to be made (historic)

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "THE REBEL MOVEMENTS" "Rebels in Heavy Force at Hagerstown and Williamsport, Md." "Considerable Bodies Moving Toward McConnellsburg & Bedford" "Movement of Gen. Milroy to Intercept Them" "A Detachment of Jenkins' Command at McConnellsburg..." Very Latest From Harrisburgh" "Movements in…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 18, 1863  

* Invasion of Maryland & Pennsylvania
* Rebels marching towards Gettysburg
* History about to be made (historic)

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "THE REBEL INVASION" "Retreat of Jenkins' Cavalry from Chambersburgh" "Our Fortifications South of Harrisburgh Considered Sufficient" "Movements of Lee's Army" "The Main Body of His Forces in the Shenandoah Valley" & much more.
More reporting inside, including an editorial concerning the Rebels…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 12, 1862  

* Battle of Port Republic - Stonewall Jackson victory
* Memphis TN Tennessee - Fort Pillow maps

The front page has not one but two front page maps, headed: "The Action Before Memphis" and: "The Situation At Fort Pillow".
There are also first column heads on the Civil War including: "Another Battle In The Shenandoah Valley" "Gen. Shields at Jackson's Rear" "Gen. Shields's Advance Attacked by Overwhelming Numbers" "Five Hours' Desperate Fighting"…

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York  A nice lot of 9 different issues from 1862, each contains within reports on military events from the Civil War, or reports of developments and improvements of military equipment.
Each issue complete in 16 pages and in nice condition.

NEW YORK TIMES, June 22, 1863 

* Invasion of Maryland & Pennsylvania
* Rebels advance towards Gettysburg
* History about to be made (historic)

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are several relating to the Confederate advance towards Gettysburg: "Movements Of The Rebels" "A Force of 40,000 Reported at Hagerstown & Williamsport, Md." "Cavalry at Mercersburgh, Penn., Stealing Horses" "A Force Said To be Near Gettysburgh" "The Rebels Still at Greencastle on Friday--Scouts…

NEW YORK HERALD, July 27, 1863  

* Siege of Morris Island, South Carolina
* 54th Mass. Infantry Black Regiment  

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "Important From Charleston" "Siege of Fort Wagner on Morris Island" "The Rebels Make A Sortie & Are Worsted" "Repulse of the Enemy on James Island" "The Casualties" "Our Loss About 12,000..." "Rebels Expect Charleston to be Taken" "Fort Wagner Silenced & the Colored Shot Away" and much more.
Among these reports are several mentions of…

DAILY COLUMBUS ENQUIRER, Georgia, July 31, 1862 

* Very rare Confederate publication
* Rebel General Joseph E. Johnston
* Battle of Seven Pines - Fair Oaks

Certainly one of the less common Confederate titles from the Civil War. Columbus is in Southwest Georgia on the Alabama border very near Montgomery.
Page 2 begins with an interesting editorial complaining about government abuses in not insuring the delivery of daily newspapers to the soldiers in the field. An interesting item for…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, Dec. 22, 1863 

* Charleston, South Carolina siege
* Brigadier General William W. Averell

A nice newspaper from the capital of the Confederate States of America. Among the front page items are: "The Averill Raid" "From Northern Virginia" "From East Tennessee--From Northern Georgia--The Siege of Charleston" and other smaller items.
The back page has an editorial concerning the war, as well as much reporting from: "The Confederate Congress" "The Virginia…

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 20, 1862  Page 5 contains one of the more moving articles on the horrors of war, brought home to the residents of New York through an exhibition of "Pictures of the Dead at Antietam" in Matthew Brady's Manhattan Gallery.
The article is headed: "'Brady's Photographs" and a website chronicles the exhibition comparing the brutality & reality of war, to the callousness of New York's residents who read the daily papers but did not relate to the horrors they reported.
The article…

HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, New York, November, 1862  

* President Abraham Lincoln
* Emancipation Proclamation

Near the back of the issue under "Monthly Record of Current Events" is a report on the Emancipation Proclamation. "On the 22d of September the President issued a very important proclamation. ... that he should at the next meeting of Congress again urge that pecuniary compensation be tendered to the loyal slave States should they choose to abolish slavery either gradually or…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 14, 1863 

* Actor John Wilkes Booth
* Ford's Theatre performance
* Rare appearance w/ advertisement
* President Abraham Lincoln's assassin

A terrific issue with one of the more ironic twists of history, and only to be found in a newspaper from Washington, D.C.
The front page has an advertisement headed: "FORD'S NEW THEATRE" which begins: "The last appearance of the distinguished young actor, M. J. Wilkes Booth is announced for this…

NEW YORK HERALD, May 18, 1862

* U.S. naval operations near Fort Pillow
* Mississippi River - Andrew H. Foote

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "Important From South Carolina" "Effects of the Abolition Edict of General Hunter" "The Contrabands Eschew a military Life" "Heroism Of Nine Colored Seamen" (with a mention of Robert Smalls) and more.
Perhaps the best content is the back page Civil War map headed: "GUNBOAT FIGHT NEAR FORT PILLOW" with related text.
Eight…

JUNIATA SENTINEL, Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1865  

* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination 
* Funeral train on tour towards Springfield
* Closing event of the American Civil War

The front page is mostly with a lengthy & detailed report: "A Vist To Richmond - What was Seen & Learned There" with subheads: "The Captured City" "General H. White's Interview with apt. Dick Turner at Libby Prison" "John Breckenridge One of the Incendiaries".
Inide has: " The Murdered Remains of the Prince of…

NEW YORK HERALD, March 24, 1862  

* Uriah P. Levy death (1st report)
* 1st Jewish commodore of U.S. Navy
* American Civil War - Jews

The most notable content within this issue is the very brief, but historic page 5 report of the death of Commodore (Admiral) Uriah P. Levy, the first U.S. Jewish Commodore, war of 1812 war hero, and credited as to having abolished the disciplinary procedure of flogging.
The front page features a large & detailed map: "THE BOMBARDMENT OF ISLAND NO. 10.…

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 15th---9 A. M.  

* Terrific Abraham Lincoln assassination broadside
* First edition just after the announcement of death

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were…

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 7, (1865)  

* General Robert E. Lee's surender
* End of the American Civil War
* Very rare Broadside edition 

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were printed very…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, April 30, 1862  

* Capture of New Orleans, Louisiana
* Emancipation of slaves in D.C.

Among the articles within are: "A Serious Talk with Serious Men" "Emancipation of Slaves" "...on the Bill to abolish Slavery in the District of Columbia; "War News of the Week" "Free Negroes in Ohio" "The Massacre at Lee's Mills" "Traffic In Human Flesh--A White Child Sold in the city of Rochester" "White Citizens Wrongfully Imprisoned" From Pittsburg Landing" "Confirmation…

DAILY COLUMBUS ENQUIRER, Georgia, Feb. 8, 1862 

* Very rare Confederate title
* General Stonewall Jackson - resigns?

Among the various reports inside is an interesting one: "The Richmond Whig is pained to hear that Gen. Jackson ('Stone Wall') has resigned his commission in the army, and says that 'in him the service loses one of the bravest of the brave--the idol of his soldiers, and the herald of victory.' The cause assigned is that he considers himself wronged by appointments to…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Sept. 6, 1861  Among the inside page column heads on the Civil War are: "THE WAR FOR THE UNION" "Gov. Gamble & Gen. Fremont" "Army Appointments" "Death of A Leading Rebel" "Jeff. Davis's Death Believed in Louisville" "Condition of the Rebel Army" "Bombardment of Galveston".
Page 6 has a report concerning: "Fremont's Proclamation-- Its Reception in the North-West--New Era in the War--25,000 Slaves Declared Free..." and more. This was a very controversial proclamation by General…

BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, Oct. 26, 1864  W. G. Brownlow, or  Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to the press to spread his harsh anti-Presbyterian, anti-Calvinist rhetoric, and to spread his fervently held views on the inferiority of blacks & his unalterable opposition to secession. In 1861 Brownlow’s…

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, April 8, 1865  A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such, their reporting on war events provides a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
Not surprisingly, the report of the Yankee capture of the Confederate capital is relegated to page five: "Evacuation of Richmond" "Three Days' Fighting" "Capture of Artillery and Prisoners" "Confederate Iron-Clads Blown Up" "Heavy Losses…

THE DAILY PROGRESS, Raleigh, North Carolina, March 6, 1865  Raleigh was one of the last major cities of the South to fall into the hands of Sherman, surrendering on April 13, 1865, just one day before Lincoln was assassinated. This rare Confederate title is from the latter days of the Civil War.
The front page has: "Deserter Shot" with detail, and an Act concerning organizing a home guard. Also a lengthy General Order signed in type: R. E. Lee, General, being a desperate attempt lure…

DAILY DISPATCH, Richmond, Virginia, Oct. 18, 1864  This newspaper from the capital of the Confederacy has much reporting on the Civil War.
But perhaps the most significant is a front page account with heads: "Mosby On the Grand Round" which begins: "Mosby is again on the grand round..." and includes a dispatch signed in type by: R. E. Lee noting: "On the 14th instant Colonel Mosby struck the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Duffield & destroyed a U.S. mail train consisting of a locomotive and 10…

NEW YORK HERALD, May 21, 1865  A wealth of fine content on the closing events of the Civil War including front page: "JEFF. DAVIS" "The Southern Confederacy at Fortress Monroe" "Interesting Details of Their Capture" "Amusing Scenes at Jeff. Davis' Tent" "Tears & Lamentations" "South Carolina - The First Peace Meeting" "The Negroes entitled to a Voice in Adopting a New Constitution" & much more.
The back page has: "THE TRIAL" "Important Evidence Involving the Rebel Leaders in the Plot"…