SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, February 7, 1863  A very 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 is entirely taken up by a print of: "General Lloyd Tilghman". A biography of him takes more than two-thirds of page 3. A full column on page 2 is taken up with a report headed: "The Times" which reports on the latest events of  the Civil War. Among the items are: "...a correspondent of the New York Tribune....stated that a movement had already been made & that 'fighting Joe' had already crossed about ten miles above Fredericksburg. This correspondent evidently anticipated & stated as having already occurred what was only intended. 'Fighting Joe' did not cross...the Yankees are still on the other side, stuck fast in the mud...The Yankees are still trying the anaconda scheme & hope to stifle us by their next effort...The Yankees boast that they have re-enforced Rosecranz with 25,000 men...Bragg captured 4000 in the battle...the Yankees  despairing of taking Vicksburg by way of the Yazoo...We do not believe they will be able to take it let them come from what direction they may...Intelligence from various quarters of Yankee Doodle's dominions indicate furious dissatisfaction with Lincoln and his measures..." with much, much more.
Page 3 has a: "Letter From General Huger" (see). Another page has a literary item titled: "Outlines From the Outpost" which is themed on the Civil War, chapter II printed here is titled: "Stonewall Jackson & the Old Stonewall Brigade", this installment taking over a full page and have two illustrations (see).
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, in very nice, clean condition.