-40%
1861 print: FREMONT CAVALRY CHARGE, SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI in the Civil War
1861 print: FREMONT CAVALRY CHARGE, SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI in the Civil War
1861 print: FREMONT CAVALRY CHARGE, SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI in the Civil War

1861 print: FREMONT CAVALRY CHARGE, SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI in the Civil War

$ 7.89

Availability: 32 in stock
  • Condition: Used

    Description

    “Brilliant Charge of General Fremont's
    Body-Guard Through the Town of
    Springfield, Missouri”
    Harper's Weekly
    1861
    This is a wood-engraved single sheet only which is
    over 160 years old
    ! It was published in the
    Nov. 16, 1861
    , issue of
    Harper's Weekly
    , the leading illustrated paper of the day, and the greatest source of contemporary pictorial coverage of the Civil War. The print measures 16 x 11 inches in size, and is in superb condition, presenting a dramatic and attractive battle image.
    It provides a very lively full-page scene of Union cavalrymen in Gen. John C. Fremont's army, charging through a field into the town of Springfield, Missouri, on October 24, 1861. Many are brandishing their swords in the air, and present very dashing figures. In the distance, they are encountering Confederate soldiers on foot who are firing on the cavalry. It is a dramatic view from the Western theatre early in the Civil War.
    The print will be accompanied by a photocopy of an article titled
    “THE WAR IN MISSOURI,”
    which appeared elsewhere in the same issue of
    Harper's,
    which describes the recent actions at Springfield. It includes the text of two official dispatches regarding the fighting there, with one of them being a brief report from Gen. Fremont in which he writes:
    “Yesterday afternoon Major Seagoyne, at the head of my Guard, made a most brilliant charge upon a body of the enemy, drawn up in line of battle, and their camp, at Springfield, 2000 or 2200 strong. He completely routed them, cleared them from the town, hoisted the national flag on the Court-House, and retired upon a reinforcement, which he has already joined. Our loss is not great.
    “This successful charge against such very large odds is a noble example to the army. Our advance will occupy Springfield to-night.”
    This is followed by Major Seagoyne's report to his commander, which says in part:
    “. . . . I met in Springfield about 2000 rebels formed in line of battle. They gave a very warm reception, but your Guard, with one feeling, made a charge, and in less than three minutes the enemy was completely routed by one hundred and fifty men. We cleared the city of every rebel and retired . . . not feeling able to keep the place with so small a force. . . . I have seen charges, but such brilliant bravery I have never seen . . . Their war-cry—‘Fremont and the Union!’—broke out like thunder.”
    _gsrx_vers_1426 (GS 9.0.3 (1426))