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One of the more fascinating publishers from the Civil War...



Item # 692493

May 28, 1864

BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, May 28, 1864 

* Very rare Civil War publication
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow


W. G. Brownlow, or  Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to the press to spread his harsh anti-Presbyterian, anti-Calvinist rhetoric, and to spread his fervently held views on the inferiority of blacks & his unalterable opposition to secession. In 1861 Brownlow’s criticism of the Confederacy led the government to shut down his newspapers for 2 years. In December, 1861, Brownlow was arrested on a charge of high treason against the Confederacy. He spent much of 1862 touring the North giving pro-Union lectures & when he returned to Knoxville in 1863 the federal government provided him with a press, some type, $1500, & a government printing contract (credit Wikipedia). See the hyperlink for more on Brownlow.
His first issue under the title noted was dated Nov. 11, 1863 but after just 2 issues it would be suspended until January 9, 1864, and then it would only last until February, 1866. This is the volume 1, number 22 issue.
Among the great wealth of fascinating articles are: "Elevating the Negro" "Jeff. Davis vs. Foreign Governments" "General Grant in Camp--A Sketch of His Personal Habits--Incidents in the Field" "The March Into Georgia" "The Rebels Carrying the Bay" "Losing Our Negroes" and much more.
The back page has half a column taken up with the: "Prospectus of Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and Rebel Ventilator". Complete in 4 pages, light damp stain near the bottom, generally nice.
An opportunity for one of the more fascinating newspapers of the Civil War.

Note: The link below will take you to a brief article posted in The Daily Southern Guardian, Columbia, SC, for February 17, 1862, written shortly after Brownlow's arrest. It clearly communicates the Confederacy's concern in regards to his newspaper.

http://images.rarenewspapers.com/ebayimgs/7.31.2012/image006.jpg

Category: Yankee