Auction Closing: March 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 191
Estimate Range: $10,000 - $20,000
"UNION VICTORY ! ... Richmond has fallen! Slavery is abolished! Possibly Unique Historic Civil War Broadside !


Click an Image to Enlarge It
c. April 3rd,1865 Civil War Period, "UNION VICTORY" Historic Content Printed Broadside headed: UNION VICTORY ! LIBERTY NO LONGER A WORD BUT A HOLY PRINCIPLE ! ... Richmond has fallen ! ... Freedom is triumphant ... Slavery is abolished !, measures 11.5" tall x 5.5" wide, Possibly Unique, No other Examples Located, Very Fine.

The fall of Confederate Richmond, the capital of the Confederate States of America, marked the collapse of the political and military center of the Confederacy, contributing significantly to the ultimate Union victory in the Civil War. The Confederate government fled Richmond, and on April 3rd, 1865, as Union forces occupied the city. Only days later, on April 9th, 1865, with Richmond captured and Confederate forces in retreat, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War.

This remarkable content, boldly printed, important Civil War Union Broadside measures 11.5" tall x 5.5" wide. There is some soiling, printed on period light tan fine wove paper in Broadside style, meant for posting. Possibly Unique. This example is the only located. It has an original printer-made paper crease near bottom, a small .5” paper loss at the extreme bottom margin edge in the blank selvage, not near or affecting any text, with small scattered prior mounting remnants and smudges on the blank reverse. This Broadside celebrates the momentous event with the military fall of the Confederate Capitol Richmond (Virginia). Its heavy black printed stacked typeset headlines read as follows:

"UNION VICTORY!

'BEHOLD ! - HOW BRIGHTLY BREAKS THE MORN !'

ALL HAIL! MIGHTY DAY !

Babylon has Fallen !!

OUR COUNTRY REGENERATED AND ITS

POLITICAL SINS WASHED AWAY

BY THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS !

LIBERTY NO LONGER A WORD

BUT A HOLY PRINCIPLE !

The Harder the Conflict the more Glorious the Triumph !!

____________________

With Superb Patriotic Content, this Union Broadside’s remaining text reads:

"Richmond has fallen! Richmond, the proud, the defiant stronghold of treason and head-quarters of traitors has been humiliated, and is now garrisoned by our victorious troops. ---- Freedom is triumphant, Slavery is abolished ! Our laws will be enforc-ed, our Union restored ! All hail ! to “the disinthralled. All hail ! To “he noble sons of noble sires” whose pa-triotism and valor has wrought this good work, and whose death and suf-ferings will bring us Peace ! ---- Let us celebrate our victory ! Let us give thanks for our prospects of a speedy and honorable Peace ! Let us manifest our joy, our gladness ! ---- Let us be “gay and happy,” for such a great and glorious triumph will never again be achieved by our Gov-ernment. Then let us, for the pre-sent, “drive dull care away,” and “Rejoice, rejoice, for the jubilee has come.”

Provenance: Ex: Sotheby Parke Bernet, Stein Collection, January 30, 1979 from a Civil War Lot; Current consignor PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II
he fall of Confederate Richmond, the capital of the Confederate States of America, marked a crucial turning point in the American Civil War.

Richmond, Virginia, had served as the Confederate capital since May 1861 and was a symbol of the Confederacy's political and military power. The fall of Richmond played a significant role in the ultimate defeat of the Confederate States. Here's an overview of the events leading to the fall of Confederate Richmond:

Early Stages of the War (1861-1864):

The Civil War began in 1861, and Richmond became the capital of the Confederate States shortly thereafter. Over the course of the war, Union and Confederate forces engaged in various battles in the Eastern Theater, with Richmond, Virginia as a key objective for the Union.

Peninsula Campaign (1862):

Union General George B. McClellan launched the Peninsula Campaign in 1862 with the aim of capturing Richmond. However, the campaign ultimately stalled, and Union forces were forced to retreat.

Seven Days Battles (1862):

In response to McClellan's Peninsula Campaign, Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched the Seven Days Battles, successfully driving Union forces away from Richmond.

Northern Virginia Campaign (1862-1863):

Lee continued to engage Union forces in Northern Virginia, achieving notable victories at the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas) and the Battle of Fredericksburg.

Gettysburg and Vicksburg (1863):

The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 was a turning point in the war, as Union forces under General George Meade defeated Lee's Confederate army.

Around the same time, Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant were successful in the Siege of Vicksburg, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River.

Overland Campaign (1864):

In 1864, Union General Ulysses S. Grant launched the Overland Campaign, engaging Confederate forces in a series of brutal battles, including the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, and the Battle of Cold Harbor.

Siege of Petersburg (1864-1865):

Unable to capture Richmond directly, Union forces under Grant engaged in a lengthy siege of Petersburg, a crucial transportation hub south of Richmond.

Fall of Petersburg and Evacuation of Richmond (1865):

On April 2, 1865, Union forces broke through Confederate lines at Petersburg, leading to the evacuation of both Petersburg and Richmond.

The Confederate government fled Richmond, and on April 3, 1865, Union forces occupied the city.

Surrender at Appomattox Court House (1865):

With Richmond captured and Confederate forces in retreat, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War.

The fall of Confederate Richmond marked the collapse of the political and military center of the Confederacy, contributing significantly to the ultimate Union victory in the Civil War.