Historic Newspapers: Charleston Harbor

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, April 13, 1861  When it comes to collecting historic events it is desirable to find a newspaper printed as close to the place or event as possible. Here is a Charleston newspaper reporting the opening battle of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. They don't get much better.
The top of a front page column has heads: "Bombardment of FORT SUMTER!" "Splendid Pyrotechnic Exhibition" "Fort Moultrie Impregnable" "The Floating Battler & Stevens' Battery a Success" "…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 29, 1863  The front page features an illustration of: "Rear-Admiral David G. Farragut, U.S.N." and an article on him as well. Inside has 4 halfpg. prints: "The 'Hartford,' Admiral Farragut's Flag-Ship, Arriving at New York and Returning the Salutes of Foreign Frigates", "Explosion of a Torpedo Under the Bow of the United States Gun-Boat 'Commodore Barney,' in the James River", "Funeral of the Late Captain Cailloux, First Louisiana Volunteers (Colored)" and…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, Aug. 5, 1863 

* Charleston, South Carolina Harbor map

The front page features a huge Civil War map headed: "THE IMPORTANT OPERATIONS AT CHARLESTON." Plus there are some one column heads including: "On To Charleston" "The Bombardment of Fort Wagner" and more (see photos).
Eight pages, great condition, and a great newspaper for display with the large map.

NEW YORK HERALD, Aug. 14, 1863

* Second Battle of Charleston Harbor
* Fort Sumter & more bombardment

 Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "Important From Charleston" "Preparations for the Grand Bombardment" "The Fall of Forts Wagner, Cummings' Point, and Sumter Considered Certain" "The Rebels Anticipate the Capture of Sumter" "Removal of the Principal Guns from the Fort to James Island" and more. 
War reporting inside as well.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 26, 1861  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The Sunken Fleet" "The Main Channel to Charleston Harbor Destroyed" "Sixteen of the Stone Fleet Sunk Across It" and more.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 31, 1880  Full ftpg. Nast cartoon: 'Another Investigation Committee' shows a Black man in Kansas holding a bag reading: 'Exodus from the South'. Nearly halfpg: 'Whale Captured in the Harbor of Charleston, S.C.'. Illus. of 'The Late Frank Leslie'. Several illustrations of: 'Paris Under the Snow'. Another fullpg. Nast cartoon, showing a Chinese man.
Other news and advertisements of the day are included.Complete in 16 pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 25, 1863  The full front page is a print of: "Admiral Samuel F. Dupont, Commanding the Fleet Off Charleston". Inside page prints include a full page by famed artist Winslow Homer: "Great Sumter Meeting in Union Square, New York"; a full page Thomas Nast cartoon: "A Group of Butternut Prisoners, Taken from Life"; a full page map of: "Charleston, S.C. & Its Approaches, Showing the Scene of the Battle of 7th April."; another full page by Winslow Homer: "The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 19, 1861  The front page has 4 prints: "Hon. Francis W. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina" "Hon. Judge Magrath, Sec. of State of South Carolina" "Rev. Dr. Bachman Who Asked a Blessing on the Secession Ordinance" and "The Charleston Zouaves". Prints inside include: "Mr. Rarey and Cruiser (horse)"; a: "Map Showing the Forts, Islands, etc. of the Harbor of Charleston, South Carolina";  and "Fort Johnson, Opposite Fort Sumter, Harbor of Charleston, South…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Dec. 29, 1860 Full ftpg: 'Christmas Day, 1860' shows a family at Christmas dinner. Nice fullpg: 'Christmas Chimes at Trinity Church, N.Y.   This issue also contains a serialized portion of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens.  In addition, the 1st installment of  "Dickens's Christmas Story - A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA" is also present, taking nearly 6 pages of text.
Complete in 16 pages.

THE NEW YORK HERALD, New York City, February 6, 1863.

* Charleston Harbor SC
* Ironclad warships
* Fort Donelson Tennessee

This Genuine newspaper has a Wealth of Civil War reporting from during Abraham Lincoln's administration.

Among the one column headlines on the Civil War are:

* IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTH
* The Affair Off Charleston Harbor
* The Union Iron-Clad Gunboat Ironsides Off Charleston
* HIGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS
* Rebel Reports Relative to Affairs off Charleston
*…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 16, 1864 The full front page is a print captioned: "Averill's Raid".  Inside has prints of: "Major-General Andrew A. Humphreys" "General William W. Averill" "The 'Suck' In The Tennessee River" "The Wreck of the 'Aquila' at San Francisco" "The Iron-Clad Screw Frigate 'Re D' Italia' "The Late Most Reverend John Hughes, D.C., Archbishop of New York" "The Rebel Screw Steamer 'Rappahannock' Lying at Calais, France" "Daboll's Fog-Trumpet in the British Channel" &…

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Dec. 18, 1860  

* Southern secession movement
* Pre Civil War tensions arise

With Lincoln's election determined, much national focus is on the slavery issue and the secession of Southern states. 

Most of page 2 is headed: "THE SECESSION MOVEMENT" "From South Carolina" and reports from other states as well. Also: "The Forts in Charleston Harbor" "the English on Secession" "

The Slave Trade" "The Canada Fugitive Slave Case" & more.

Eight pages, good condition.

Background:…

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Dec. 21, 1860 

* South Carolina Ordinance of Secession
* Abraham Lincoln as president-elect
* Pre American Civil War Southern tensions 

 With Lincoln's election determined, much national focus is on the slavery issue and the secession of Southern states. 
Certainly the most notable content is the detailed report from the South Carolina convention on seceding from the Union, ultimately approved on December 20.
The page 4 and 5 reporting is headed: "THE SECESSION…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 11, 1862  The full front page is a print captioned: "Sinking The Stone Fleet In Charleston Harbor". Inside has a full page: "The Battle of Dranesville" l full page with 6 prints of: "In & About Port Royal, South Carolina"; a full page with 2 prints of: "The Defenses of Washington--Fort Lyon, on the Heights of Hunting Creek..." and "The Defenses of Washington--Fort Ellsworth, South of Alexandria"; a full page map of a: "General View of the Mississippi River…

NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 6, 1863  Among the ftpg. one column heads are: "Important From the South" "The Affair at Charleston Harbor" "The Union Iron-Clad Gunboat Ironsides Off Charleston" "Tremendous Military Efforts of the Rebels" "HIGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS" "Rebel Reports Relative to Affairs off Charleston" "The Port Completely Blockaded by Iron-Clads" and more.
The bkpg. has: "The Battle at Deserted House" & more. Good condition. Eight pages, nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 4, 1865  The full front page is a print: "Sherman's March Through South Carolina--Road at the Swamp Crossings." which also has a nice page 2 editorial: "Sherman's True Victory.
Other prints inside include: "Camp Ford, Texas" "The Double-ender 'Pontiac' Descending the Savannah River" "Charleston & Savannah Railroad Through the Swamps" "Map Illustrating the Field of Operations in Virginia & the Carolinas" "Miss Mary Harris" "Plan of Columbia, South Carolina"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 27, 1861  The front page shows: "General Thomas Swearing In the Volunteers Called Into the Service of the United States at Washington, D.C." plus there is also text on: "The Bombardment of Fort Sumter".
Inside includes a dramatic full pg: "The Interior of Fort Sumter During the Bombardment" and also a full page: "Map of Charleston Harbor, Showing Fort Sumter & the Confederate Batteries". The doublepage centerfold is another dramatic print of the: "Bombardment…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 13, 1863  Perhaps the most notable print is the full page by famed artist Winslow Homer, titled: "Home From the War" showing soldiers embracing their wives & children.
The front page has prints of: "Major-General John A. Logan" and "General Logan Crossing the Bayou Pierre in Pursuit of the Rebels". Other prints include a full page by Thomas Nast: "A Group of Union Prisoners Escorted through a Rebel Town"; a full page with 3 prints: "The Battle of Raymond--Rebel…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 23, 1861  The front page is taken up with: "Major Anderson's Command at Fort Sumter" which includes 9 officers, one of whom is "Capt. A. Doubleday".
Other prints inside include: "Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina" "Surrender of Ex-General Twiggs, Late of the United States Army, to the Texan Troops in the Gran Plaza, San Antonio, Texas" Fort Brown, Texas" "Fort Lancaster, Texas" "The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, Late Headquarters of Ex-General…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 12, 1863  The front page illustration shows: "Murder of Lieutenant Beaver by the Sioux Indians". Inside has a full page with two prints: "Gen. Sibley's Indian Expedition--Pursuing the Sioux Over the Coteau Du Missouri, Dacotah Territory, After the Battle of the Big HIlls, July 24, 1863" and: "Sibley's Indian Expedition Crossing the James River, Dacotah Territory". A nice full page shows: "View of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, From the North Side of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 8, 1863  Certainly one of the more desired issues of the Civil War with the nice content on the Battle of Gettysburg. The front page has 2 prints: "Saluting the Old Flag at Port Hudson" and "The Formal Surrender of Port Hudson". Inside a 1/4 pg: "Siege of Vicksburg--Huts on the Hill-side"; a full page has two prints: "Port Hudson From the Opposite Bank of the River" and "The Union Forces Entering the Breast-Works to Take Possession of Port Hudson".
The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 22, 1863  The front page has prints of: "Residence of John Burns, At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania" and "John Burns, the Only Man in Gettysburg, Pa., Who Fought at the Battle".
A full page with 8 prints show: "Views of the Gettysburg Battle Field"; another full page has: "General View of Gettysburg, From the West" and "The Army of the Potomac--The Advance of the Twelfth Corps Crossing the Rappahannock".
A nice full page by Thomas Nast: "Army of the…

(single-leaf from) HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, NY, January 31, 1863

This is a single-page print which would be great for display. The page contains four engravings entitled: "Middle-Ground Battery, Charleston, S.C." "The Charleston Iron-Clad Fleet" "Folley's Battery Near the Light-House, at Charleston, South Carolina" and "Our Blockading Fleet off North Channel, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina".

The print size is approximately 11 x 15.75 inches.

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Jan. 11, 1861  

* Start of the Civil War ?
* Star of the West attacked

From just 4 months before the outbreak of the Civil War, it is not surprising that much content within related to the brewing troubles.
Some column heads include: "Highly Important From Charleston" "The Firing Into the Star of the West" "She is Driven Out of the Harbor" "Patriotic Letter From Maj. Anderson" "War Upon the United States" "Seizure of Forts In Louisiana" "Departure of State Troops"…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 6, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The Removal of Gen. Butler" "The Affair Off Charleston Harbor" "The Affair at Fort Donelson" "The Rebels Driven in Great Disorder" "The Blockade of Charleston" "They were To Attack the City" "The Defeat of Pryor on the Blackwater" "Rebellion on the Borders of Georgia & North Carolina" "Slaves in the Richmond fortifications" and much ore, plus more inside ask well.
Eight pages, nice condition.

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 6, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The Removal of Gen. Butler" "The Affair Off Charleston Harbor" "The Affair at Fort Donelson" "The Rebels Driven in Great Disorder" "The Blockade of Charleston" "They were To Attack the City" "The Defeat of Pryor on the Blackwater" "Rebellion on the Borders of Georgia & North Carolina" "Slaves in the Richmond fortifications" and much more, plus more inside as well.
Page 7 has an ad from Barnum concerning the…

NEW YORK HERALD, Aug. 28, 1863

* Second Battle of Fort Sumter
* Charleston Harbor, South Carolina
* Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard

 The front page has a nice print of: "THE REBEL TORPEDOES" with 3 views of it.
First column heads include: "CHARLESTON" "Sumter a Mass of Rubbish" "Shelling of Charleston & Forts Moultrie, Gregg and Beauregard" "The City In Flames" "Indignation of Beauregard" "Application for a Truce..." "General Gilmore Refuses It & Demands an Unconditional…

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Oct. 7, 1864 

* Rare Confederate publication
* Origin of the American Civil War
* Jefferson Davis speech
* Columbia, South Carolina

Among the front page reports on the Civil War are: "President Davis in Columbia" "The President's Speech in Columbia" which is quite lengthy; "The Successes of Forrest" "Highly Important From Georgia--The Movement in Sherman's Rear" "Fighting In Louisiana" and more.
Complete as a single sheet issue, full banner…

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Oct. 6, 1864

* Rare Confederate publication
* Origin of the American Civil War

Among the front page reports on the Civil War are: "Vice President Stephens and Reconstruction" "Letter from Richmond" "Affairs on Morris Island--A Yankee Description of the 'Pen' and its Occupants" "The President and the Army" "The President In Augusta" and more.
Some war items on the back page but mostly taken up with ads.
Complete as a single sheet issue, full…

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Nov. 4, 1864

* Capture of Plymouth, North Carolina
* From the origin of the Confederacy

Among the front page reports on the Civil War are: "Petersburg" "Secret Sessions" "From Our Army In Tennessee" "From Sherman's Army--Sherman's Position" "From the Northern Papers" "Letter from North Georgia" "The Loss of the Iron-Clad Albemarle--Fall of Plymouth, N.C." and more.
Some war items on the back page but mostly taken up with ads.
Complete as a…

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Sept. 29, 1864 

* Rare Confederate publication
* Origin of the American Civil War

Among the front page reports on the Civil War are: "Results of the Summer Campaign" "Hood's New Movement" "From the Georgia Front--Affairs at Atlanta" "Latest From the Valley" "and more.
Complete as a single sheet issue, full banner masthead, nice condition. From the closing months of the Civil War.

Charleston was a hotbed of secession, with S.C. being the first…

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Nov. 8, 1864

* Confederate president Jefferson Davis
* Rare title from the origin of the Civil War

Among the front page reports on the Civil War are: "Glorious Achievements of Forrest's Horse Marines" "Yankee Army News" "The Tennessee Valley Campaign" "The President's Message" in which he presents to his Congress an optimistic view of the war's progress.
Some war items on the back page but it is mostly taken up with ads.
Complete as a single…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 26, 1861  The front page has: "A Night Reconnaissance on the Potomac" and a print of: "Lieutenant Braine, U.S.N., Commanding the 'Monticello' ". Other prints inside include: "Grand Cavalry & Artillery Review at Washington" "The 'Monticello' Shelling the Rebels Near Hatteras" "Camp of the Sixth Regiment New York Volunteers (Wilson's Zouaves), on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, Fort Pickens in the Distance" "The War Balloon at General Mc'Dowell's Headquarters…

NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 30, 1863  Among the ftpg. one column Civil War heads are: "Interesting From New Orleans" "The Good Health of the City" "The Mississippi Marauders" "From Charleston Harbor" "Description of the Rebel Works" "Honors to Gen. Gilmore" "Destitution of the Florida's Crew" and more.
Eight pages, nice condition.

Harper's Weekly, March 30, 1861 through May 4, 1861. This is a six-issue set (part 4) of Harper's Weekly containing the Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" in serialization format. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.

This set would look great displayed in one of our 17 inch by 14 inch display cases which can be viewed at www.rarenewspapers.com/folders.aspx (or by returning to the home page and selecting "storage and display options".

The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 31, 1863  The full front page is a print: "Army Beef" showing soldiers shooting cattle, with 2 smaller vignettes.
Inside has a full page: "Contrabands Coming Into Camp in Consequence of the Proclamation", referring to the recent Emancipation Proclamation. It shows many African-Americans and presumed slaves. Also a full page with 2 prints: "Appearance of the Site of the Deserted Rebel Camps Near Murfreesboro" & "Murfreesboro, Tennessee"; a full pg: "Rebel Attack…

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Feb. 21, 1863 A wealth of war-related reports, including column heads: "Dept. of North Carolina" "Department of Virginia" "Bases of Reconstruction" "The Late Attack on Fort McAllister, Georgia--The Montauk Under Fire" "The Affair In Charleston Harbor" "The Rebel Blockade at Vicksburg" "The Conscription Bill" "The Object Of The War" "The Loss of the Hatteras" "Our Second Victory at Fort Donelson" "From the Army of the Potomac" "Gen. Rosecrans on Rebels and Copperheads"…

WESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 24, 1861

* Civil War beginning
* Troops forming 

 Although the title would suggest mostly religious content, there is also much reporting on the on-going Civil War.
From the beginning weeks of the Civil War, the front page has a great editorial: "The 'Peace At Any Price' Policy". Also: "Major Anderson in New York" in which he reflects upon the beginning actions of the Civil War in Charleston harbor.
Page 4 has another editorial: "The…

NEW YORK WORLD, May 20, 1862 

* General David Hunter's Emancipation order
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs (nullifies)
* Robert Smalls & companions to be compensated

The front page begins with column heads: "PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION" "Gen. Hunter's Proclamation Void" "The Power of Declaring Slaves Free Belongs to the President" "An Appeal To The Border States" "Gradual Abolition of Slavery Urged" "How the Proclamation is Received".
The related text takes most of the first column, headed:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, February 16, 1861 through March 23, 1861. This is a six-issue set (part 3) of Harper's Weekly containing the Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" in serialization format. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.

The individual issues are described as:

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Feb. 16, 1861 Full ftpg. is an extremely decorative celebration of 'St. Valentine's Day' with 6 scenes & ornate embellishments. Fullpg: 'A ten-inch Mounted as a…

(5) NEW YORK TIMES, January - March, 1861 

* Five newspaper lot prior to the outbreak of the Civil War

Few periods of American history were more unsettled than the months preceding the outbreak of the Civil War, which began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April  12, 1861. Since the election of Lincoln the preceding November the Southern states began serious efforts towards breaking away from the federal Union and creating a country of their own.

Here is a…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Feb. 7, 1863  The front page shows: "The Night Burial At Sea--Funeral Rites to a Dead Volunteer...". 
Prints within include: "Grand Requiem Mass In St. Patrick's Cathedral" "The Capture of Galveston--Blowing Up of the U.s. Gunboat Westfield..." "Butchering & Dressing Cattle for Distribution to the Union Army" "Union Soldiers Shooting Cattle for the Supply of the Army" "Camp Saxton" "Mitchellville" "The Rebel Ironclads in Charleston Harbor" and more.
…

NEW YORK TIMES, April 5, 1861  

* The Civil War about to begin
* Fort Sumter to be attacked
* History about to be made

This was printed just a week before the formal outbreak of the Civil War.
Among the front page column headlines on the Civil War are: "THE CRISIS APPROACHING" "Meaning of the Extensive Military and Naval Preparations" "Important News From Charleston" "A Schooner Fired Into from Morris Island" "Maj. Anderson Demands An Explanation" "Preparations For An Attack Upon The…

 NEW YORK TIMES, May 20, 1862 

* General David Hunter's Emancipation order
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs (nullifies)
* Robert Smalls & companions to be compensated

Page one has: "Gen. Hunter's Order Repudiated by the President" followed by: "He Pronounces it Void and of No Effect" "The Policy of the Administration Reiterated." The pronouncement is signed in type: Abraham Lincoln.
This was the controversial situation where Hunter pronounced slaves free in Florida, Georgia & South Carolina,…

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, March 22, 1861  

* History about to be made
* Focus on Fort Sumter 

Much of the front page is taken up with reports concerning the coming Civil War, with first column heads: "THE SOUTHERN FORTS" "Sumter Not Yet Evacuated" "Formidable Works Behind the Fort" and also: "The Pro-Slavery Rebellion".
Page 2 begins with: "The Pro-Slavery Rebellion" "From South Carolina" "The Evacuation of Sumter" and more.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed so it folds out to a single…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 28, 1792  

* George Washington - Act of U.S. Congress 
* Future presidents John Adams & Thomas Jefferson 

The front page has an Act of Congress concerning the creation of light houses, beacons, buoys & public piers, signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by Th. Jefferson and John Adams. They are to be installed at Charleston, and in the Chesapeake at the north end of Willoughby's Spit, at the tail of the Horse Shoe,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 14, 1862  Perhaps the most notable print (with related text) is that of: "Robert Smalls, Captain of the Gun Boat 'Planter' " which includes a related article as well.  As Wikipedia notes, Robert Smalls was an enslaved African American who freed himself, his crew and their families from slavery by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, CSS Planter, in Charleston harbor, and sailing it from Confederate controlled waters to the U.S. blockade. His example and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 23, 1861  The front page is taken up with: "Major Anderson's Command at Fort Sumter" which includes 9 officers, one of whom is "Capt. A. Doubleday".
Other prints inside include: "Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina" "Surrender of Ex-General Twiggs, Late of the United States Army, to the Texan Troops in the Gran Plaza, San Antonio, Texas" Fort Brown, Texas" "Fort Lancaster, Texas" "The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, Late Headquarters of Ex-General…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Nov. 18, 1862  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "Rebel Evacuation of Snicker's Gap" "Cavalry Expedition to the Shenandoah" "The Blockade of Charleston Harbor" and more.
One report: "The Proclamation--The Contrabands--White Slaves in the South" which refers to Lincoln's recent Emancipation Proclamation.
Some text includes: "...soldiers are almost universally in favor of the late proclamation...Large numbers of slaves are used about Corinth...They have…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 5, 1863  The full front page shows: "Moseby's Guerrillas Destroying Sutlers' Train". Inside prints include a dramatic fullpg: "The Destruction of the City of Lawrence, Kansas and the Massacre of its Inhabitants by the Rebel Guerrillas"; a full page with 4 prints: "Morris Island Sketches"; a three-quarter page map shows: "...That Part of Tennessee Through Which General Rosecrans Advanced From Murfreesboro to Tullahoma and Chattanooga".
A nice doublepage…