SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, May 23, 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 has a nice illustration of: "General Beverly Holcombe Robertson" with a front page biography of him, focusing on his leadership in the on-going Civil War (see).
Page 2 has a nice report taking more than a column & headed: "The Illustrious Dead" which is a report of the interment of "Stonewall" Jackson and a eulogy on his life (see). Page 2 has over a full column headed: "The Times" which reports on the latest news from the various war fronts. Certainly its most significant report is the death of Stonewall Jackson, with: "...A great calamity has befallen the Confederacy in the death of its beloved chieftain, Stonewall Jackson. While the agony of this bereavement is fresh in our hearts, it is impossible to do justice to the subject...After he was wounded Gen. J. E. B. Stuart took command of his invincible corps...Gen. A. P. Hill now occupies the fallen hero's place...His remains were brought to Richmond & placed first in the Gubernatorial Mansion; afterwards they were transferred to the Capitol attended by an immense procession...After the mortal part of the mighty hero was deposited in the hall of Congress, thousands on thousands went to take a last look upon his placid & noble features which death had touched but lightly. The following day his body was sent to Lexington, Va., where it will be interred..." with even more (see). Plus there are reports on the war including: "...The effect of Hooker's defeat cannot rightly be estimated for the simple reason that the facts were firs suppressed & then grossly garbled by the despotism at Washington...This is Lincoln's comment upon an affair which his hireling writer assures the people of the North was 'no disaster.' But the funniest part is yet to be told. By hook or by crook the truth had somehow leaked out..." and more (see).
Another page has a literary item down with the Civil War as a backdrop, titled: "Outlines From the Outpost".
The back page has a very interesting and satirical item: "The Lincoln Catechism" done in question/answer format (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.