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General G. W. Smith... The Confederate version of "Harper's Weekly"...
General G. W. Smith... The Confederate version of "Harper's Weekly"...
Item # 582469
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June 27, 1863
SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, June 27, 1863 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 features a nice print of: "Gen. G. W. Smith" with the balance of the ftpg. taken up with a lengthy biography of him. Page 4 has an article: "Completion of the Frist Volume" concerning the first year of printing this newspaper with commentary on its mission, its content, and where what it plans for the future (see). This is followed by: "The Times" which reports the most recent news on the Civil War, portions include: "...certain that the Yankees had left Stafford...Rumors were rife of a movement of General Ewell's corps into the Valley...our troops had taken Winchester with 5000 prisoners...imperfect telegram from Gen. Lee announced the storming of Winchester by the Division of General Early..." and included also is a telegraph dated at Harrisonburg, June 16 noting: "Glorious victory in the Valley. Gen. Milroy's entire army is captured. Gen. Ewell attacked the enemy at Winchester...the Abolition flag was lowered & our victorious veterans entered & took entire possession...This is indeed glorious news...Cannonading has been heard in the direction of the country just above Fredericksburg. It is believed that General A. P. Hill is in pursuit of the Yankees...The Yankees, in their late marauding excursions...committed the most horrible excesses...The great scene of interest at this moment is Vicksburg. The Yankees are concentrating there nearly all the troops they have in the Valley..." with much, much more (see).
Also on pg. 4 is an item headed: "Our Engravings" concerning the artiest who is is creating them, followed by a note: "The stirring news has arrived. Winchester has been won again & the dastardly Yankees routed once more...". There is also a lengthy article concerning the Civil War which is done in literary format, but concerning the war nonetheless (see for beginning).
Page 5 has: "The Memory of Stonewall Jackson In England" and further on are various "Brevities" with a few war-related items (see). Most of the remainder of the issue is taken up with literary items.
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, generally in very nice condition.
Category: Confederate
No Longer Available
