Historic Newspapers: Search Results

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, Dec. 28, 1863 

* From the origin of the American Civil War

This was one of just a few Confederate newspapers that printed in the dateline: "Confederates States Of America".
Among the reports are three front page Acts of the Confederate Congress; "Siege of Charleston"  "Atrocities of the American War".
Most of the back page is taken up with advertisements with some military "Orders" as well.
Complete as a single sheet issue, wide margins, wear…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, 1862-1864 

*Confederate newspaper

*rare in dateline "Confederate States Of America"

A famous singlesheet issue from the Confederacy which has printed in the dateline: "Confederate States Of America" which is rarely found in issues from the south.  The issue has rubbing, minor staining and slightly irregular margins, but contains no loss of readability and is quite nice for an issue from the south.  The image shown is representative of this…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, March 3, 1862  Not just a newspaper from the Confederacy, but from the capital of the Confederate states. The entire front page is taken up with advertisements. Page 2 includes the always interesting editorial, this one beginning: "The President has placed Richmond under the protection of Martial Law. If the entire Southern Confederacy was at this moment under that law there would be a benefit to its cause..." with much more. Also: "The Latest Northern News"…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, April 13, 1861  Page 2 has reports headed: "America" with the latest on the Civil War. Of note is text noting: "...the main points of difference between the United States Constitution and the new Southern Constitution...1. That African slavery in the Territories shall be recognized and protected by Congress...2. That the right to slaveholders of transit & sojourn in any state of the Confederacy, with their slaves & other property, shall be recognized and…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, August 10, 1863  

* Confederate States of America

See the photo for the terrific & huge front page map, taking close to two-thirds of the front page, headed: "THE REBEL CONFEDERACY AS CLAIMED IN 1861 AND AS IT IS NOW" showing how the rebel states have shrunk in two years.
If there was ever a definitive map issue from the Civil War this might well be it, as it graphically portrays the progress of the Civil War. Certainly one of the best Yankee newspapers for display we…

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…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, May 6, 1863  

* From the capital of the Confederacy
* Confederate General Stonewall Jackson

This is one of just a few newspapers which printed "Confederate States of America" in the dateline.
The front page begins with: "Later from the Seat o War" "Our Victory Complete - General Jackson's Left Army Amputated - Skirmish on the York River Railroad". This report notes in part: "...General Jackson's left army has been skillfully amputated below the shoulder,…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, Feb. 28, 1862  

* From the origin of the American Civil War
* Battle of Fort Donelson - Tennessee

This was one of just a few newspapers which printed: "Confederate States Of America" in the dateline.
Among the front page war-related reports are: "Confederate Congress--Confirmation of Brigadier-Generals--Bill for a Commanding General Introduced" "Proclamation of Martial Law in Norfolk, Portsmouth, etc." "From Norfolk--Later from the United…

THE WORLD, New York City, March 11, 1861 

* Start of the Civil War close (Fort Sumter)
* Tensions at a boiling point in the South
* Southern slavery and the Confederacy
* History about to be made

From just weeks before the outbreak of the Civil War, this issue has some reports on the impending conflict.
The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "STATE OF THE NATION" with various subheads. (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, uncut and untrimmed, light creasing with toning and a little wear at the…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, April 6, 1861  Most of a page is taken up with a print: "The Dandy Slave: A Scene in Baltimore, Md." and "Slaves For Sale: A Scene in New Orleans", both showing slaves dressed in formal attire.
A related article: "The Dandy Slave" begins: "Whenever a negro can afford it, he dresses well, sometimes quietly and in good taste..." This is followed by an article: "Slaves For Sale" which includes: "The accompanying engraving represents a gang of negroes…

NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 11, 1861  

* Confederate Constitution creation
* Rebel President Jefferson Davis  

The top of the front page has: "The Southern Confederacy" "Important Action of the Congress at Montgomery" "Adoption & Copy of the Constitution" "Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, Elected President" "Alex. H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice President" "Sketches of the Elect" "The African Slave Trade Not to be Reopened" "The Capital of the New Confederacy".
The text begins by noting: "The…

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…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, March 6, 1862 

* From the origin of the Civil War
* Jefferson Davis & martial law

This was one of just a few newspapers which printed: "Confederate States Of America" in the dateline.
Among the various reports are: "From Richmond--Confederate Congress..." "Our Coast Correspondence" "The Women To the Rescue" and more.
The front page has a Proclamation concerning martial law in Richmond, signed in type: Jefferson Davis.
Four pages, good…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, March 9, 1861  

* Extradition case of John Anderson
* Canada West escaped slave w/ print

“The Fugitive Anderson” on page 3 is about John Anderson, the famous fugitive slave who escaped to Canada evading the pursuit of bounty hunters.
While on the run he killed a farmer who intended to legally recapture Anderson and send him back into his master’s custody. Anderson lived and worked in Canada West from 1854 to April 1860, managing to keep a low…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 1862  

* Emancipation Proclamation
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Freedom for enslaved - slaves
* Best publication to be had (very rare)

Page 2 begins with the Emancipation Proclamation, from the city where it was issued.
The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation that changed the federal legal status of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the designated areas of the South from slave to free. As…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, April 24, 1862 

* Battle of Shiloh - Pittsburg Landing - Beauregard's praise
* Fort Jackson... Fall of Pulaski...
* Rare Confederate title from the war origin

This was one of only a few newspapers which printed: "Confederate States of America" in the dateline (see images).
Perhaps the best items is: "Gen. Beauregard's Address to the Army" on the victory at Shiloh, beginning: "You have bravely fought the invaders of your soil two days in his…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, March 4, 1864 

* Confederate Act of Congress
* Organizing a rebel military

A very nice newspaper from the capital of the Confederate States of America. Among the front page items are: "The Enemy Around Richmond--Butler's Advance Up the Peninsula" which takes over a column; "City Intelligence" "Blockade Runner Blocked" "From the Rapid Ann--From Charleston--Sherman's Command" and other smaller items as well as many advertisements.
The back page has over…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, May 7, 1863  This is one of just a few newspapers which printed "Confederate States of America" in the dateline.
Among the front page articles: "Letter from the Rappahannock - General Lee's Second Dispatch--Another Battle at Fredericksburg - The Enemy Repulsed & Driven Across the River" which is a letter to President Jefferson Davis signed in type: R. E. Lee.
Also: "Official From Vicksburg - The Yankee Cavalry Raid in Virginia..." "Our Victory…

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, 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…

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. 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, 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…

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…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, Feb. 27, 1862 

* Fall of Fort Donelson, Tennessee
* Jefferson Davis proclamation
* From the capital of the Confederacy

A very nice newspaper from the capital of the Confederate States of America.
The front page is entirely taken up with advertisements and notices. The inside pages are rich in war-related reports including: "The Fall of Fort Donelson" "The Tennessee Panic" "The Northern Congress" "Re-Organization of the Cabinet" "Substitutes in the…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 27, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln Murder - Trial of the conspirators
* Rebel president Jefferson Davis indictment for treason

Among the front page column heads are: "INDICTMENT OF DAVIS" "The Arch-Traitor to be Tried for Treason" "His Offence the Levying of War on Fort Stevens" "Davis to be Tried in the City of Washington" and: "TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Sanders Heard to Say that Booth was Bossing the Job" "That Job was to Assassinate Lincoln On or Before Inauguration Day"…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, March 9, 1863 

* Rare rebel publication

A nice newspaper from the capital of the Confederate States of America. Among the front page items are: "Bombardment of Fort McAllister" "Reported Fight at Gloucester Point" "A Rumour From the Rappahannock" "Effects of the War at the North" "The Virginia Legislature" "The Latest from Vicksburg & Murfreesboro--The Expedition Against Charleston--Later from New Orleans..." and other items.
The back page has a…

CHARLESTON DAILY COURIER, South Carolina, June 25, 1864  This is one of just a few newspapers which printed: "Confederate States of America" in their dateline at the top of the front page (see photos). Among the front page reports are: "From General Johnston's Army" "Enemy Again Repulsed With Severe Loss" "Losses In Hooker's Corps" "The Murder of Andrew Johnstone" "War Tax Assessments" "The Slavery of the Bible" "Leaving the Yankees" "Siege of Charleston".
Most of the back page is taken up…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Maryland, May 25, 1833 An inside page has nearly a full page list of promotions in the army, among which, under "Regiment of dragoons" is: "2d lieut. Jefferson Davis, of the 1st regiment of infantry, to be 2d lieutenant, 4th March, 1833."  Less than 30 years later Jefferson Davis would be President of the break-away Confederate States of America. Always nice to find prominent names in period newspapers long before they would become famous.
Complete in 16…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, March 4, 1863  Not just a newspaper from the Confederacy, but from the capital of the Confederate States of America.
Among the front page war-related items are: "The Fight In the Valley" "Foreigners Subject to Conscription" "From Murfreesboro" "The Enemy at Newbern, North Carolina" "The Dispersed Convention In Kentucky" "The Enemy at Nashville--Terrible Ravages of Disease Among the Soldiers--The Strength of the Army In Tennessee" "Latest News From the North"…

Here is a unique opportunity for a pair of issues--one Yankee and the other Confederate--of the identical date of July 22, 1861 both reporting on the First Battle of Bull Run, one from the New York Tribune and the other from the Confederate capital of Richmond, titled the Daily Dispatch, providing a perspective of how the news was reported with all the "spin" & biases that were rampant on both sides of the border. As you see, both sides claimed victory:

TRIBUNE:  The top of page 5 begins…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 9, 1861 

* Alabama delegation in U.S. Congress prints
* Secession from the Union - pre-Civil War

The full front page is a print of: "The Seceding Alabama Delegation In Congress" showing nine men. Text on the men takes over half of page 2.
Other prints within include: "Captain J. G. Foster, Engineer Corps U.S.A., On Duty at Fort Sumter" "Arrival of the United States Steam Sloop 'Niagara' At Jeddo, Japan, with the Japanese Ambassadors on Board..." "The Old…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, June 8, 1861  Pages 2 and 3 contain much text headed: "The Civil War In America" with subheads including; "Operations on Land" "Naval Operations" "The Confederate States" "The Northern States" "The Federal Government" "The Border Slave States" and more.
England had a vested interest in the war, supporting the Confederacy because of its great need for cotton. 
Complete in 24 pages, very nice condition.

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, March 16, 1861  The front page has a nice print captioned: "The Hon. Jefferson Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy of America" with an article on him further into the issue.
England was a supporter of the South during the Civil War, primarily because the South was a source of cotton with the British mills desperately needed.
Page 2 has various reports from "America" which includes news items from: "The Confederate States" as seen in the photos.…

THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, April 19, 1783  

* John Dickinson of Pennsylvania
* Proclamation of the Cessation of Arms 
* End of hostilities of Revolutionary War

Over half of the front page is taken up with various dispatches concerning: "The Proceedings of the Federal Army near New Windsor, to Obtain the Redress of their Grievances".
This was called the Newburgh Conspiracy, a plan by Continental Army officers to challenge the authority of the…

THE POLITICAL MAGAZINE, London, August, 1783  

* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending 

ing the Revolutionary War. It contains a wealth of reports concerning the concluding events of the war.
Pages 1 and 2 have: "Lord Sheffield's Observations on the Commerce of the American States". Another page has a lengthy list of the: "American Ships Taken" during the war. Another page has: "An Act for Forfeiture & ale of the Estates of Persons who…

THE MASSACHUETTS GAZETTE or the GENERAL ADVERTISER, Springfield, July 29, 1783  

* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending 

The entire front page, all of page 2, and a portion of page 3 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy letters from General Washington during the war.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 1, 1861 The front page is entirely taken up with a print of: "Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, U.S.A." along with a biography of him. Inside has a full page print of: "The Cabinet of the Confederate States at Montgomery" including Jefferson Davis & Alexander Stephens. Smaller prints show: "Luther C. Ladd, A Mass. Vol. Killed at Baltimore" and "William G. Brownslow, of Tennessee"
Other prints include: "A Juvenile Party", half page prints of: "Fort Pulaski,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 21, 1912

This issue has a color cover sheet over it and the front page of this issue has a photo called "He Died to Save Japan."

In this issue there is an ad for the book "Mark Twain--A Biography" and an article called "Progress of the Campaign." Also in this issue is a full page illustration of "W. J. B.: 'Say, Debs, He's Hooked Everything That Belonged to Me, and Now He's Gone Off With Yours'" by Kemble and much more.

Other advertisements of the…

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Jan. 16, 1867  Page 3 has two reports concerning the controversial "Ironclad Oath" which essentially prevented political activity of ex-Confederates soldiers & supporters by requiring all voters & officials to swear they had never supported the Confederacy.
A case arose in Missouri involving a Catholic priest who was indicted for preaching without taking the oath. The articles are headed: "The Supreme Court Decision" which takes over half a column, and: "The…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1865  

* Slavery abolished in America (historic)
* 13th Thirteenth Amendment ratification

Page 2 begins with a very historic report headed: "OFFICIAL" "Georgia the Twenty-eighth State, Ratifies the Constitutional Amendment" with the letter from Milledgeville. Thus, three-quarters of the states have ratified the 13th Amendment forbidding slavery, and it now becomes the law of the land. Terrific to have this report in this newspaper,…

NEW YORK TIMES, July 13, 1868 

* North Carolina ratifies 14th Constitution Amend.
* Very 1st African American Lt. Governor in U.S.

Page 5 has: "PROCLAMATION - The President Declares the Ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment by North Carolina" signed in type: Andrew Johnson.
This was one of the controversial Reconstruction amendments, particularly for many of the former Confederate states, which guaranteed citizenship to African-Americans, among other details. Included is the full…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1782  

* American Revolutionary War

The front page begins with a lengthy report headed: "Office of Finance" signed by: Robert Morris. 
Page 2 begins with a very fine & detailed letter from Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis dated Sept. 9, 1781, being an account of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, as reported in the London Gazette. The first paragraph notes: "...have the honor to inform your Lordship that on…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1862  

* Emancipation Proclamation
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Rare pro-Confederate publication

Given the focus of this controversial newspaper, being supportive of the Southern cause while publishing in the North, it is particularly noteworthy that this issue contains on page five the Emancipation Proclamation whereby President Lincoln would free the slaves on January 1 of the coming year.
The introductory subheads would be of no surprise as…

THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY; OR THE WORCESTER GAZETTE, Boston, Dec. 22, 1791  

* St. Clair's Defeat - Northwest Territory
* Battle of the Wabash River
* Native American victory

This is one of the best issues we have seen on the historic Battle of the Wabash,  This was a tragic event in America's early military history, in which the American Army with 1,400 soldiers were swiftly devastated by an American Indian alliance of 1,500 warriors from nine different tribes.
Pages 2 and 3 have a…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Oct. 19 & 26, 1811  This two issue set, under the heading "A Manifesto," has nearly 10 pages dedicated to the Manifesto of Caracas, and related details.
The coverage begins: "By the confederation of Venezuela, in South America, of the reason which influenced them in the formation of an ABSOLUTE INDEPENDENCE of Spain, and every other foreign power. Drawn up and ordered to be published by the General Congress of the United Provinces."
It continues: "America,…

THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR, THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 1782  

* Revolutionary War ending events
* John Hanson - 1st American president ?

Page 2 has a lengthy letter which is reflective of the American-British relationship in the past. A few bits include: "...they have not duly considered the solid reasons and unanswerable arguments of the worthy, upright period, JOHN DICKINSON, and other American gentlemen, and the speeches & publications of some patriots at home...They…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 5, 1885  Full front pg. portrait of "The Late Thomas Andres Hendricks, Vice President of the United States." Inside is a 1/3 pg. illus. of "Proposed Design for the New Fifth Avenue Omnibuses." 1/2 pg. illus. of "The Old Broadway Stages in 1831." Full pg. illus. containing three illus. pertaining to "The High Tide of November 24 on the Atlantic Coast." Four 1/4 pg. portraits of "The Late Marshal Serrano," "Don Carlos," "Alfonso XII,. the Late King of Spain,"…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1785  Among the articles within are: "Observations on a Tour Through the Island of Jersey" which is in the English Channel; "Anecdotes of Hogarth" "Summary of Proceedings in the Present Session of Parliament" "Original Letter form Dr. Johnston" & so much more.
Near the back is: "Intelligence..." with news from various corners of the globe including: "Advices from America" which reports a loan from the Netherlands to the United States, and mentions that:…