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The Confederate version of "Harper's Weekly"...



Item # 601960

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October 24, 1863

SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, Virginia, Oct. 24, 1863 

* Raleigh Edward Colston

A rare publication from the Confederacy which seldom comes to the collector market. 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: "Brig. Gen. R. E. Colston" with a biography of him on the front page taking most of the first column. Page 4 has: "The Times" which provides the most recent reports on the Civil War with editorial commentary on Chickamauga & other events. A few bits include: "...the negative victory at Chickamauga gives lace to great expectations elsewhere & is remembered with resignation among the many triumphs that have simply baffled the progress of the enemy..." and: "...Later reports represent that the main army of Meade is cut off, or at least obstructed, from Washington by portions of our army..." and much more.
The back page has a large political cartoon headed: "Mysteries & Miseries of Bachelor Life Under Confederate Rule."
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, some water staining and a portion of the upper right margin missing from inside leaves, but not affecting text.
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.

Category: Confederate