Images
Published: 2/21/12
Quarters for African American Soldiers
Our Black History Month Celebration continues with this Harper’s Weekly depiction of “Negro Quarters, Army of the James.” Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, February 25, 1865.
Published: 2/16/12
After the Battle
Our celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Fort Donelson concludes with this Harper’s Weekly image. Seeking for the Wounded, by Torch-Light, After the Battle Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly,...
Published: 2/13/12
From The Struggle of Slavery to the Struggle for Liberty
Uncut sheet of twelve illustrated cards presenting the journey of a slave from plantation life to the struggle for liberty, for which he gives his life, as a Union soldier...
Published: 2/9/12
Black Soldiers and Lady Liberty
Our Black History Month celebration continues with this 1865 drawing of a wounded Union soldier by Thomas Nast. “Franchise. And not this man?” despite his service and sacrifice. Image Credit:...
Published: 2/8/12
Roanoke Island…150 Years Ago
Roanoke Island showing the position of Confederate Batteries Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, March 1, 1862.
Published: 2/7/12
Camp Life for African American Regiments
“Army of the Potomac—Scene in camp of Negro regiments—Method of punishment of Negro soldiers for various offences.” Image Credit: Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, December 10, 1864.
Published: 2/6/12
Aboard a Gun Deck During the Battle of Fort Henry
Gun-Deck of one of the Mississippi Gun-Boats Engaged in the Attack on Fort Henry – sketched by Alexander Simplot – Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, February 22, 1862
Published: 2/2/12
Preparing to See the Elephant
Preparing the Negro Soldiers to Use the Minie Rifle Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, March 14, 1863.
Published: 2/1/12
Honoring African American Veterans for Black History Month
Happy Black History Month! Today—and throughout the month of February, we honor those African Americans who fought in the Civil War. Image Credit: “A Negro Regiment in Action,” Harper’s Weekly,...
Published: 1/30/12
The Launching of a Legend…the USS Monitor
Naval Historical Center’s Online Library of Selected Images 150 years ago today, the Union Navy launched the USS Monitor—its first ironclad—from the Continental Iron Works, at Greenpoint in Long Island,...
Published: 1/30/12
Inboard the USS Monitor
Naval Historical Center’s Online Library of Selected Images The above image is the USS Monitor‘s general plan featuring an inboard profile of the ironclad. First published in in 1862, the...
Published: 1/26/12
The Mighty Mississippi
General View of the Mississipii River from Cairo, Illinois to the mouth of the river. Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, January 11, 1862.
Published: 1/23/12
Prisoners from the Front
Before Winslow Homer became a famed sea-scape painter, he was a Civil War correspondent and illustrator for Harpers Weekly. The above paiting, entitled “Prisoners from the Front,” (1866) was featured...
Published: 1/17/12
The Feminine Art of Inspiring Male Courage
Civil War illustrator Frank Leslie often parodied the evasion of the Enrollment Act of 1863. The image above encouraged women to make men feel obligated to go and fight via...
Published: 1/12/12
Looking Back…Just Fifty Years
As we enter the second year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, there is some comparison back fifty years to the centennial—be that just for nostalgia or for analysis. Allow me...
Published: 1/6/12
The Skating Season
Good Morning! Our celebration of New Year’s Day 1862 comes to a close with the following image “The Skating Season – 1862.” Source: Harper’s Weekly, January 18, 1862.
Published: 12/29/11
The Great Fair
Happy Holidays! As we prepare to ring in the new year, it seems fitting to recall a festive occassion from 1861. Source: Winslow Homer, “The Great Fair” in the December...
Published: 12/6/11
Image of the Day: Hope That Thing Isn’t Loaded!
A Union volunteer strikes a (potentially tragic?) pose with a group of comrades. We hope those guys were friends! Image Credit: Library of Congress