In the foregrand stands a pine tree covered with snow and in the background a palm tree. These trees denote both the north and the south. The author is implying that neither tree alone can survive without the other, thus the Civil War is killing...
Two gentlemen address each other in a well furnished living room. One gentleman has a small rifle pinned to his lapel. Often well-to-do men would support the war, urging people to join the fight and enlist, but with the implementation of the...
A young lady pins a corsage on a gentlemen's coat at the fair. This illustration comments on such women who asserted themselves and their beauty to make money.
Major Gen'l Furious sits at a table and addresses a group of some Native Americans. Several jugs labelled "whiskey" and "old rye whiskey" stand in the foreground. It is suggested that, under the influence of alcohol, southerners enlisted Indians...
A man sits and ponders next to a statue of a general that possesses a block for a head. Having been published in November of 1861, this cartoon is commenting on the command situation of the Union army at the time. Irvin McDowell had commanded the...
This cartoon is referencing Horace Greeley's editorial "The Prayer of Twenty Millions" that was published in the summer of 1862. Greeley was critical of Lincoln's moderation, specifically regarding the failure of many generals to execute measures...
This cartoon depicts an overly thin Union soldier appealing to a plump Pennsylvania Beef Contractor for beefsteak. The contractor is taken aback by the question and inquires how the contractors will make it if the soldiers actually get beefsteak. ...
This cartoon is commenting on the Trent Affair. In November 1861 Union Captain Charles Wilkes intercepted a British ship and arrested two Confederate diplomats bound for Great Britain, James Mason and John Slidell. Here the two are shown being...
This cartoon shows John Bull as a peddler trying to sell "a few small Articles to help me to Buy BREAD for my Starving Children." He is responding to Lady Columbia stating that she has no cotton for him. Though the U.S. Naval Blockade...
This cartoon depicts Charles Ellet, Jr., an army engineer officer, trying to get into General McClellan's house. Ellet is known for his groundbreaking work with suspension bridges. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Ellet was anxious to serve...
This cartoon is commenting on the attempts at compromise that occurred following the Southern secession, specifically the Crittenden Compromise. The proposed compromise protected slavery in its existing territories but prevented it from...
Lady Britannia is depicted being chased by rams as she exclaims, “Mersey on us.” Though the Confederacy was receiving arms, munitions, food, and warships from Great Britain, they were not officially recognized as an ally. The obstacles to...
Isaac Fowler was the Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall prior to “Boss” Tweed. He also served as Postmaster and on May 10, 1860 a warrant was issued for his arrested due to embezzlement. Marshal Isaiah Rynders, a political organizer in New York...
Abraham Lincoln answers the door for Benjamin “Beast” Butler, who is outfitted with an assortment of cleaning tools and supplies. Butler commanded the force that occupied the captured city of New Orleans in May 1863 and ruled with a firm...
Two well dressed ladies stand and talk with the male owner of a shirt depot. In the window is a shirt labeled, "Patent Shirt." The Sanitary Fairs were a way to garner support for the war effort by encouraging women to make supplies and food to be...
Published in late April 1861 following the outbreak of hostilities at Fort Sumter, the cartoon is a depiction of a female slave, Venus, washing clothes while conversing with a male slave, Napoleon, smoking a pipe. The two slaves are discussing the...
This cartoon portrays a slave asking a question at the feet of “Old Mr. Secesh” who is situated in Richmond. He is inquiring whether his master sees any sympathy coming to which the reply is “Nary a bit!!” Published in December of 1862,...
This cartoon is commenting on relations between the United States and British governments during the Civil War. On the left is John Bull, representing Britain, and Lincoln is on right. John Bull holds a piece of paper that reads “Cotton Loan...
This cartoon is lampooning the environment of Confederate plantations. Southern planters tried to keep slaves in check during the Civil War by proclaiming that the Union would exact worse fates upon them, such as sending them to Cuba. This...
Men with wide brimmed hats stand in the street as one reads the paper. Behind them is a sign that says, "Lobby Closed No Admittance." The army contractors were often devious and greedy. They used government funds to produce shoddy materials for the...
