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1. A Boston View of Governor Andrew A Boston View of Governor Andrew Rep. Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts was an early and dedicated supporter of the Union cause. He quickly made efforts to organize Mass. and other New England militia for service. At the same time, he was an early advocate of the utilization of black troops in the Union Army. This cartoon draws upon a quote from “An Old Jackson Democrat” that references Mass. Sen. Henry Wilson and the belief that he had no more intention to serve in the army than he (the speaker) had of riding a hippo down State Street. Henry Wilson indeed raised and commanded the 22nd Mass. Volunteer Infantry Regiment beginning in 1861. Similarly, Gov. Andrew’s efforts to bolster Union opposition to succession were just as swift and dedicated as that of Sen. Wilson. 1862-02-15

2. A British Bantling A British Bantling John Bull addresses a man who sits on a box labelled "U.S." Bull is pushing an hydrocephalic child whose head reads Chicago Platform toward the man. While the British were pushing for a Democrat to win the 1864 election on a peace platform, the Republicans held a majority sway, ensuring the continuation of the war until it ended. By October of 1864, the Democratic platform was very weak and, as the cartoon portrays, America wanted to finish the war, not advocate peace. 1864-10-15

3. A Case for the Cold Water Cure. A Case for the Cold Water Cure. John Bull sits across from Captain Semmes in an office. A sign in the background reads "Dr. Bull. Advice gratis. Office Hour," and a jar labelled "leeches." This refers to the sinking of the famed Confederate raider, Alabama, at the hands of the USS Kearsage off the coast of France. Semmes, the captain of the Alabama, escaped to Britain. The British at the time were in the process of building two ironclad warships for the Confederacy. The cartoon portrays the British as being southern supporters through and through. 1864-07-23

4. A Confederate Bondholder A Confederate Bondholder A gentleman is depicted standing and grasping papers entitled “Southern Bonds”. On either side of him his pockets are being emptied by Confederate soldiers. Confederate bonds were such a precarious investment since they were backed by questionable and unstable assets including cotton. Even though this was published in June 1861, just following Fort Sumter, there was already concern skepticism regarding Confederate bonds. The value of these bonds did indeed suffer immensely under the continually growing inflation of Confederate currency. Therefore this depiction in which the gentleman is more or less being robbed of his money for the Confederate war effort was a reality for many Confederate investors. 1861-06-01

5. A Dove of Peace A Dove of Peace By this cartoon’s publication in late 1864 Gen. Benjamin “Beast” Butler had already participated in many of the events that would define his controversial legacy. In 1861 he refused to return fugitive slaves while stationed in Virginia. In May 1862 he commanded the force that occupied New Orleans where he exerted stern authority to the dislike of many Southerners. In May 1864 the force he commanded was designated the Army of the James and tasked with attacking towards Petersburg from the east while destroying rail lines supplying Richmond. Considering the reputation of Beast Butler, his portrayal as “A Dove of Peace” in this cartoon illustrates that the cartoonist was not convinced of any passive pursuit of peace by the Union forces. Though the war was heavily in the favor of the north by this time in the war, there was no misconception by the cartoonist that Union forces would not fight with the same swiftness or audacity 1864-12-10

6. A Drum-Head Court-Martial A Drum-Head Court-Martial A court martial is performed for a captured deserter, but all involved have heads or bodies that are drums. Many court martials were initiated or called simply to prove a point to the green armies. It was a show of noise so that all soldiers knew the consequence of desertion. 1861-11-30

7. A Family Quarrel, or the Reason Why. A Family Quarrel, or the Reason Why. Two young men face off to fight, one representing the South, the other the North, while a woman sits at left crying and looking angry. She has a hairpiece labeled "Liberty" and is holding a paper labeled "Constitution." After the assault on Fort Sumter by Rebel forces, many northerners felt that the liberty assured by the Constitution was being attacked. It was this that surged northern patriotism and anger. 1861-11-09

8. A Fit for the "Ladies League." A Fit for the "Ladies League." Lincoln holds a pair of large trousers to three women who are holding scrolls that say "My Speech," and "Speech." During the war, many women's rights organizations were lobbying for the right to free speech. These women in the cartoon are not wearing the typical hoop skirts, signifying that they are advocates of women's rights. 1863-05-30

9. A Hint for the Sanitary Fair. A Hint for the Sanitary Fair. Two ladies sit in a parlor, one with long unbound hair. The Sanitary Fair was used by women as a way to raise money and supplies for the war effort. Often they used their looks as a way to secure even more money. 1864-03-26

10. A Long Look-Out A Long Look-Out Napoleon III stands addressing and holding the arm of Davis who is perched on top of a bale of cotton and a barrel of gunpowder. Davis has one finger in his mouth with a bewildered expression on his face. Even though France showed that it was open to relations with the Confederacy, Napoleon withheld allegiance. He either wanted to ally with the Confederacy after Britian did so or after the war had ended and the Confederacy gained independence. 1861-07-13

11. A Lusus Naturae A Lusus Naturae Lusus Naturae means “a freak of nature” or even a “monstrosity”. This depiction draws upon an account of such a freak of nature when speaking of the odd occurrence of finding a frog with its mouth sealed together and wide open eyes that appeared to be blind. By imposing James Buchanan’s head on the body of a frog, the cartoon is mocking is indecision as a lame duck President during the events prior to Lincoln’s inauguration as many Southern states were seceding from the Union. It is charging that Buchanan sat looking, but appeared to be blind to the degrading situation of the country as he did speak and take action to prevent further degeneration of the situation. 1860-01-21

12. A New Plan to Frighten Fine Old English Gentlemen. A New Plan to Frighten Fine Old English Gentlemen. On a street labelled, "Broadway," a well dressed gentleman runs from a young boy who is yelling, "Here comes Butler!" The gentleman has dropped a copy of the London Times which reads, "Butler Brute." The British press portrayed Butler as a brutal ruler of New Orleans who would stop at nothing to effect a military rule over the city. 1863-01-24

13. A Nod That Ought to be as Good as a Wink to the Blind Horse A Nod That Ought to be as Good as a Wink to the Blind Horse An illustration of the Naval Committee being dispersed from their discussion by a cannonball. The events of early March 1862 at Battle of Hampton Roads changed the tone regarding the direction of the navy. Though some members of Congress were against building more gunboats, especially of the armored variety, the destruction inflicted by the CSS Virginia (made from the scuttled remains of the USS Merrimack) as she engaged the US blockading fleet on the James River illustrated the need for increases and advancement in naval armament. Had it not been for the presence of the ironclad USS Monitor the Virginia would have been able to carry the day and inflict more damage. Instead the battle between the two ironclads ended in a standoff. 1862-03-22

14. A Prospective Prospect A Prospective Prospect A depiction of Horace Greeley behind bars at Fort Warren located in Boston, Massachusetts. Greeley was a prominent abolitionist and he utilized his position as editor of the New York Tribune to further his abolitionist reforms. He also believed that slavery was the predominant cause of the war, and for this stance he received criticism from members of the press and the government who did not see slavery as the prevailing issue. Furthermore, this depiction is mocking the precarious spot that Greely’s outspoken stances often put him in. 1862-04-05

15. A Rebel Gun-Boat Seen Off Fort Lafayette, a Short Time Since A Rebel Gun-Boat Seen Off Fort Lafayette, a Short Time Since A ragged Rebel soldier sits atop a tub of a warship. The Confederate Navy was not made of ships of the line or great steam powered warships. Since it was started from nothing, the navy was often composed of seized sailing vessels. Often, however, it was literally built from scratch. 1861-11-09

16. A Ruined Peace Democrat!!! A Ruined Peace Democrat!!! A well dressed gentleman approaches a horse-drawn carriage where uniformed attendants wait. With the outcome of the election of 1864, securely in favor of the Republican, Lincoln, peace Democrats, including Belmont, tried to maintain their prestige in defeat. 1864-10-15

17. A Self-Appointed Envoy A Self-Appointed Envoy Montgomery Blair was Postmaster General under Lincoln until September 1864 when he was forced to resign as a result of his conflicts with Radical Republicans in the government and administration. After the Civil War he came to support the Democratic Party on Reconstruction policy. This depiction draws upon the attitude of Blair in early 1865, which was one of a more conciliatory and moderate stance than the approach of Grant and other military leaders. As opposed to the “sugar plums” and “barley water” that the woman (with Blair on her hat) is attempting to carry to Richmond, Grant proposes to end the war with his “sugar plums”, referencing the cannonballs he is gesturing towards. 1865-01-21

18. A Singular Phenomenon A Singular Phenomenon After Tennessee seceded from the Union in June 1861, Memphis became a Southern stronghold till it was recaptured by Union forces a year later in June 1862. This illustration and quotation were meant to serve as an endorsement of the undefeatable American spirit. The “burying” of the flag that occurred during secession is shown to result in the sprouting of an exponentially larger number of flags and bayonets, instead of destruction of the American spirit. This cartoon evokes the spirit of patriotism that came with Lincoln’s call for troops and serves as a challenge and warning to those in the South who wished to undo the American experiment. With the subsequent fall of Memphis in 1862, it did indeed become a Union stronghold and supply base for the remainder of the war. 1861-06-01

19. A Sketch in the Virginia Legislature. A Sketch in the Virginia Legislature. Letcher is portrayed as a disheveled, smoking, drunk sitting on steps in the legislature room. Above him is a man with a mallet looking rather disgusted. Two other men stand below him at left. Letcher was described as a drunk and this often made people question his ability as a politician and leader. 1861-02-08

20. A Timely Warning A Timely Warning Southern man steps towards Maximilian who stands under a sign labelled "The Halls of Montezumas" and next to a trunk labelled: "Max. Passenger to Paris" at a train station. By the end of the Civil War, the United States looked to force out the puppet dictator of Mexico, Maximilian. He was installed by Napoleon III of France in an effort to reassert colonialism in America. The United States saw this as a violation of the Monroe Doctrine and threatened war. 1865-05-27
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