Historic Newspapers: The Civil War

NEW YORK HERALD, April 11, 1863 

* First Battle of Charleston Harbor

The front page is dominated by a huge Civil War map headed: "THE FIGHT AT CHARLESTON - Opening Fire at the Rebel Stronghold...Position of the Rebel Batteries". (see image)
Incomplete issue containing the front and back leafs only (pages 1-2 & 11-12) piece torn away at the top right area (see image), a few small margin tears, still nice for display with a original Civil War map. 

Background: This authentic front-page leaf from the…

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, March 2, 1862  The front page features a Civil War map headed: "The New Rebel Location on the Mississippi" at the border of Kentucky & Tennessee, showing Obionville, New Madrid, Hickman, Columbus, and more. There are many ftpg. column heads including: "The Enemy reported to be Concentrating at Chattanooga" "The Evacuation of Columbus Confirmed" "The Union Men to Be Armed" "The Flag In The Gulf States" "A Strong Union Sentiment Found in Mississippi" "From The South" "Our Advance…

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
* Interesting ad for P.T. Barnum's American Museum

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.…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 5, 1981 

* HIV/AIDS is 1st reported to the public 
* Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
* Over a year prior to it's official name 
* Gay-Related Immune Deficiency

The bottom of page 3 has a heading that reads: "Outbreaks of Pneumonia Among Gay Males Studied" (see images) Through research, this particular report in this publication is the very first time this virus which would later be named "AIDS" was reported to the public. A extremely historic report here.
I suspect this…

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 TRIBUNE, Nov. 18, 1863  This was the day before the Gettysburg Address, and how terrific it is to find two reports concerning the event. In the category of "who would have guessed then", the inconspicuous reports at the bottom of page 5 gave notice to what would become perhaps the most significant dedicatory event in military history.
A report headed: "The Dedication Ceremonies at Gettysburg..." mentions that: "...A large crowd is congregating at Harrisburg to participate in 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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 23, 1865 

* Fort Anderson surrenders
* Wilmington, North Carolina
* Final months of the Civil War

The first column of the front page has one column headings that include: "WILMINGTON" "Evacuation Of Fort Anderson" "The Rebel Works Fiercely Bombarded by the Monitors" "The Enemy Scared by a Sham Monitor" and more. 
Eight pages, minor light foxing, nice condition.

Background:The Surrender of Fort Anderson took place on February 19, 1865, near the Cape Fear…

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 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…

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, April 14, 1865  This is one of those fascinating newspapers that "reports" one of the great ironies in American history.
This was the date when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while attending a performace of "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Page 3 of this newspaper has an advertisement for the Boston Theatre, noting: "This (Friday) Evening Benefit and Positively Last Night of EDWIN BOOTH who will appear as Sir Edward Mortimer..."To-Morrow…

NEW YORK HERALD, July 27, 1863  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 the noted Mass. 54th Regiment (see photos), the Black regiment made famous…

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Feb. 22, 1865  The front page features a very nice graphic headed: "FORT SUMTER--THE OLD FAG WAVING ABOVE ITS RUINS".
The many first column heads relate to the taking of Charleston: "CHARLESTON!!" "Details Of The Evacuation" "Our Forces Occupy the City" "The Place Fired by the Rebels" "Hundreds of Citizens Killed" "Pursuit of the Rebels" and many more.
Eight pages, very nice condition. This would be great for display.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 24, 1861 

* 1st Battle of Bull Run - Manassas, Virginia
* 1st major land battle of the Civil War (historic)

Most of the front page is taken up with excellent coverage and detail on the Battle of Bull Run with first column heads including: "THE GREAT REBELLION", "The Victory of Sunday & How it Was Lost", "Exaggerations of the First Reports Corrected", "The National Army Not Routed", "The Rebel Loss Estimated at 3000", "Shocking Barbarities Perpetrated by the…

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…

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, Oct. 7, 1861  The front page is dominated by a very large & very detailed Civil War map headed: "THE SEAT OF WAR IN WESTERN VIRGINIA". Plus many front page column heads on the war: "THE REBELLION" "Interview Between Generals McClellan & Banks" "Important News from the Cherokee Nation" "The Scene of War in Western Virginia" "Reported Battle Between Lee and Rosecrans" "The Victory Over the Rebel Chapman" & much more.
Eight pages, light toning, nice condition.

Background: In…

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…

NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER, New Jersey, April 3, 1865

* Fall of Richmond, Virginia (early report)
* The end of the Civil War is imminent ?
* Abraham Lincoln assassination nears

 This is a stand-alone "Extra" edition with a same-day report of the capital of the Confederacy.
The front page has column heads: "EXTRA" "VICTORY ! " "Richmond Captured This Morning" "City Reported On Fire" 'Enthusiastic Reception of Our Troops" "Petersburg Evacuated by the Enemy" "Gen. Grant Moving for the…

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, June 17, 1865  

* Lincoln assassins trial
* Rare pro-white title
* Reconstruction era

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.
Among the reports: "The Assassination Trial" "The Military Court in Washington" "Continuation of the Proceedings" "Plantation Labor--The Negroes Idling--Crops…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, May 26, 1863  A nice newspaper from the capital of the Confederacy. The front page includes: "Major Mosby's Command" "Col. F.W.M. Holliday" and other items. The back page has a lengthy editorial beginning: "There is no doubt that a large proportion of the present demand for gold is for the purpose of hoarding, and proceeds from a distrust of the Confederate money...". Also: "From the West--Northern Opinions of the War--The Prospect--Vallandigham Sent…

DAILY EXAMINER, Richmond, Virginia, Jan. 26, 1863  A nice single sheet issue (typical late in the war) with a full masthead, with front page reports headed: "The Yankees Across the Rappahannock" "Appointments In the Department" "The Nautical Jeffreys" "Our Military Resources with several subheads: "Latest News From the North with subheads including: "The Capture of Arkansas Post--The Fight at Vicksburg--Federal Loss--Affairs in the Southwest--The Yankee Congress...". Also a full column headed:…

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, June 10, 1865  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.
Among the reports: "The Assassination Trial" "The Military Court in Washington" "Continuation of the Proceedings" "Executions For Treason" "General Sherman's Report" takes most of the page & has incredible detail; "The Restoration of the…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, March 25, 1862  The bottom of the front page contains one of the fascinating tidbits of history which delight collectors, in this case an inconspicuous advertisement for a theatrical production of The Apostate at the Mary Provost Theater in New York--starring John Wilkes Booth. 
See the photo for the complete ad which notes the listing of the cast, including: "Eight Night of the young Tragedian, J. Wilkes Booth, who will appear in Shield's great Tragedy of The Apostate" with…

BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, Oct. 19, 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…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Jan. 4, 1862   The front page has prints: "The Falls of the Riviere Du Loup, In Lower, or Eastern Canada" and: "Riviere Du Loup, or Fraserville, on the St. Lawrence, the Eastern Terminus of the Grand Trunk Railway".
Prints inside include: "The Slidell & Mason Case Argued at the American Bar" "Eruption of Mount Vesuvius"; a full page print: "The Falls of the Chaudiere, Near Quebec". Also several black-bordered prints on: "The Funeral of His Late Royal…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 27, 1865  The front page features "Lewis Payne the Assassin" under guard, with text headed: "Capture of Davis", "Payne the Assassin" and "President Lincoln's Burial".
Inside includes a dramatic full page: "Charge of the Ninth Army Corps on Fort Mahone, April 3, 1865". A full page features a half page illustration of: "The Fight Before Mobile - Storming of Fort Blakely, April 9, 1865" and nearly half page "The Gun-Boat 'Genesee' Provided with a Net-Work Against…

THE DAILY CITIZEN, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2 (4), 1863  A fascinating newspaper and arguably the most famous of any newspaper printed on Confederate soil, not just for being printed on the back of wallpaper (many others were as well) but because of the circumstances which surrounded the creation of this issue.
This newspaper was edited and published by J. M. Swords. As the Union siege of this strategic city wore on, his supply of paper ran out, so the publisher resorted to the use of…