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General John Bell Hood... Letter from Robert E. Lee...
General John Bell Hood... Letter from Robert E. Lee...
Item # 583605
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February 28, 1863
SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, February 28, 1863
* John Bell Hood portrait
* Robert E. Lee
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 features a nice portrait of the famous: "Major-General John B. Hood" with most of the balance of the front page taken up with a detailed biography of his life, including his actions during the Civil War up to that date. Also on the front page is a letter to Gen. Lewis T. Wigfall signed in type by: R. E. Lee, General, concerning the raising of troops in Texas.
Inside has over a full column headed "The Times" which reports on the latest Civil War battles, including: "Hooker appears to have broken up his encampment on the north side of the Rappahannock...The interest of the whole Confederacy--we might say of the whole civilized world--is at this moment centered upon Charleston. That city--the parent of secession, and, therefore, of the Southern Confederacy--is an object of intense hatred to the whole Yankee race...From Middle Tennessee we learn that both sides are mustering there forces & that a great battle may be shortly expected..." with more, and ending with: "...Lincoln's Congress is passing a conscription bill. He means to turn out all the militia since the million now in the field have proved unequal to the task of crushing the rebellion. The more the merrier." (see)
The back page features a political cartoon mocking President Abraham Lincoln (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, scattered foxing, in very nice, clean condition.
Category: Confederate
No Longer Available
