You are viewing an
original 1861 illustration featuring Fort Sumter. It is from an 1861
edition of Harper's Weekly, the most popular illustrated newspaper of the
day. Note that this is not a reprint, and I absolutely guarantee its
authenticity. This leaf is over 140 years old, and the date is clearly
marked on the front of the print. On the day this leaf was printed Abraham
Lincoln had been elected President of the United States, and the nation sat
on the eve of the first battle of the Civil War.
This is a striking illustration of Fort Sumter as it
appeared days before the opening shots of the Civil War. Fort
Sumter, at the mouth of the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, is famous
as the scene of the first act of war in the American Civil War.
became clear that Abraham Lincoln had won the presidential election of 1860,
South Carolina passed an order of secession on December 20. Six days later
Major Robert Anderson, commander of the Union forces at Charleston, moved
his small garrison from Fort Moultrie, also in the Charleston Harbor, to the
unfinished, ungarrisoned Fort Sumter, farther from shore and less vulnerable
to land attack. Governor Francis Pickens of South Carolina demanded the
surrender of Fort Sumter; Anderson refused. On January 9, 1861, the Union
merchant vessel Star of the West attempted to land supplies and
reinforcements for Fort Sumter, but was fired on and withdrew.
By the time
Lincoln took office on March 4, six more states had seceded, and Fort Sumter
was one of the two Southern forts remaining under Union control. Lincoln was
faced with either recalling Anderson or risking war by providing him with
supplies and reinforcements. After much agonizing, Lincoln notified Pickens
on April 8 that an attempt would be made to send provisions, but no troops
or ammunition, to Fort Sumter, then in danger of being starved out. Three
General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, under orders from Confederate
President Jefferson Davis, demanded evacuation of the fort. Anderson stated
that he would evacuate only if he received neither provisions nor
instructions from the federal government by noon on April 15. This answer
proved unsatisfactory, and at 4:30 AM on April 12, Fort Johnson in
Charleston fired the first shot of a 34-hour bombardment, ending all
negotiations and marking the beginning of the Civil War. Lincoln's relieving
fleet arrived the same day but could not enter the harbor because of cannon
fire from the shore. Anderson surrendered the fort on April 14; neither side
suffered any casualties. The following day the United States declared war on
This is a
particularly collectible print, because it shows the fort just days before
the opening of the Civil War. The stars and stripes are shown flying
proudly over the fort. This is a rather somber picture of the fort, as if
the artist knew of the full trauma the nation was about to endure. This
piece will make an excellent addition to your collection, or wonderful gift
for any Civil War buff.
Unlike newsprint of this century, these older, original
pages do not yellow and fall apart. The reason is that modern newspapers
use an acid based process. Remnant acid in the paper causes the paper to
quickly yellow and deteriorate. A different process was used in the
mid-1800's which yielded an exceptional quality paper that will last for
centuries. Special acid free mats should be used when you frame this piece
to ensure that it will last another 150 years. Acid free mats are available
at most better frame shops. If you have any questions related to handling
or framing this piece feel free to email me. The print is approximately
11x16 inches. I have been collecting Civil War Newspapers for over 10
years. It is a fascinating hobby, and I find that these pieces really get
noticed when framed and displayed.
The leaf is in very good condition. It has the rich sepia
toning that you expect in original material from this period. It has a few
areas of light foxing, and a few finger smudges in the margins.
Don't, miss your chance to own an original and rare piece
of Civil War History.
Item Name: Original 1861 Illustration of Fort Sumter
Item Number: h1861p180
Buyer pays $6.50 shipping. Immediate shipping for Money
Orders, Allow 10 days for personal checks to clear.