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



Item # 704651

December 07, 1864

BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, Dec. 7, 1864  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.
Among the many fascinating articles are: "The Movements of Hood" "General Sherman's March" "Hood In Middle Tennessee" "Rebel Treatment of Prisoners" "Hood In Middle Tennessee" "Situation in Knoxville" "Out of Paper" "Good News from General Sherman--His Army in Six Miles of Savannah--Boys and Women at Work Intrenching" and more.
The back page has nearly half a column taken up with the: "Prospectus of Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and Rebel Ventilator". Complete in 4 pages, irregular at the blank spine, nice condition.
An opportunity for one of the more fascinating newspapers of the Civil War.

Item from Catalog 350 (released for January, 2025)

Category: Yankee