Perhaps the most famous Confederate newspaper...
Item # 715840
July 04, 1863
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 wallpaper, as did several other Southern editors during the rebellion. On this substitute paper Swords printed the following dates: June 16, 18, 20, 27, 30, and July 2, 1863. Each was a single sheet, four columns wide, printed on the back of the wallpaper.
On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered, the publisher fled, and the Union forces found the type of the "Citizen" still standing. They replaced two-thirds of the last column with other matter already in type, added the note:
"JULY 4, 1863 Two days bring about great changes, The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg. Gen. Grant has "caught the rabbit;" he has dined in Vicksburg, and he did bring his dinner with him. The "Citizen" lives to see it. For the last time it appears on "Wall-paper." No more will it eulogize the luxury of mule-meat and fricasseed kitten - urge Southern warriors to such diet nevermore. This is the last wall-paper edition, and is, excepting this note, from the types as we found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a curiosity."
Evidently, after a few copies (how many is unknown) had been run off, it was noticed that the masthead title was misspelled as "CTIIZEN." The error was corrected, although the other typographical errors were allowed to stand, and the rest of the edition printed.
There is a seemingly period penciled note at the blank, top margin, which adds a bit of quaintness & authenticity to the issue, hence not erased. It mentions in part: "Preserve this paper."
Because of the tremendous historic nature & curiosity value of this newspaper, it is not surprising that it has been reprinted many times. Great care must be taken to ensure a genuine issue. The Library of Congress has a check sheet against which issues can be examined to verify authenticity. This issue is genuine and the Library of Congress check sheet is included.
The issue measures 12 by 19 1/4 inches, extremely little wear, with ample margins. There is a tiny hole at a fold juncture in the bottom quadrant. The wallpaper design on the reverse is a decorative pattern with blue and blood-red ink.
This is one of the nicer condition issues of this rarity we have had the pleasure to offer.
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 wallpaper, as did several other Southern editors during the rebellion. On this substitute paper Swords printed the following dates: June 16, 18, 20, 27, 30, and July 2, 1863. Each was a single sheet, four columns wide, printed on the back of the wallpaper.
On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered, the publisher fled, and the Union forces found the type of the "Citizen" still standing. They replaced two-thirds of the last column with other matter already in type, added the note:
"JULY 4, 1863 Two days bring about great changes, The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg. Gen. Grant has "caught the rabbit;" he has dined in Vicksburg, and he did bring his dinner with him. The "Citizen" lives to see it. For the last time it appears on "Wall-paper." No more will it eulogize the luxury of mule-meat and fricasseed kitten - urge Southern warriors to such diet nevermore. This is the last wall-paper edition, and is, excepting this note, from the types as we found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a curiosity."
Evidently, after a few copies (how many is unknown) had been run off, it was noticed that the masthead title was misspelled as "CTIIZEN." The error was corrected, although the other typographical errors were allowed to stand, and the rest of the edition printed.
There is a seemingly period penciled note at the blank, top margin, which adds a bit of quaintness & authenticity to the issue, hence not erased. It mentions in part: "Preserve this paper."
Because of the tremendous historic nature & curiosity value of this newspaper, it is not surprising that it has been reprinted many times. Great care must be taken to ensure a genuine issue. The Library of Congress has a check sheet against which issues can be examined to verify authenticity. This issue is genuine and the Library of Congress check sheet is included.
The issue measures 12 by 19 1/4 inches, extremely little wear, with ample margins. There is a tiny hole at a fold juncture in the bottom quadrant. The wallpaper design on the reverse is a decorative pattern with blue and blood-red ink.
This is one of the nicer condition issues of this rarity we have had the pleasure to offer.
Item from our most recent catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026
Category: Confederate
