Comprehensive archive of over 35 original newspapers from 1861-1863, covering Civil War skirmishes and battles in Northern Virginia (Lewinsville, Dranesville, Fredericksburg and the vicinity), including both Northern and Southern perspectives, with several featuring detailed battle maps on the front pages. Many issues of the Daily National Intelligencer are partially bound together. Highlights:
(1) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 2, 1861 (OFFICIAL -- National Loan - To the Citizens of the United States signed by S.B. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury; serenade of Gen. Butler; advertisements for Harvard Law School, Georgetown College (Medical Department and others).
(2) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C. September 3, 1861 (Court Martial - Colonel McCunn, discourtesy towards Lt. Hunter of the Provost Guard at “Willards’ Hotel” with statement of Gen. McClellan; Richmond Examiner presses movement upon Washington).
(3) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 4, 1861 (report of three or four regiments of Confederate troops at Leesburg; letter of Attorney General Edward Bates to Marshal McDowell, U.S. Marshal for Kansas, dated July 23, 1861; Bates replies to McDowell’s request for advice about enforcing the Fugitive Slave Law, declaring that no government official can choose to enforce the laws he likes and ignore those he dislikes. Bates adds that the recent “insurrectionary disorder” in Missouri does not alter its legal status as a member of the Union.
(3(A)) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 5, 1861 (reports from Loudon County with a “frightful amount of sickness amongst the [confederate] troops in the vicinity of Leesburg and at Manassas Junction”).
(4) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 6, 1861. Arlington Heights, Tribute of Respect of the Ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers upon promotion. “Law of Allegiance and Treason” - Landmark Case of Charles A. Greiner in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District Judge John Cadwalader presided over the trial, establishing paramount duty to the United States.
(5) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 7, 1861. Letter of Gov. Magoffin of Kentucky to President Lincoln respecting the neutrality of that State, with reply of President Lincoln (signed in type) confirming Union troops in that State and declining to remove the troops. Capture and escape of Captain Strong (Wisconsin Volunteers) at Chain Bridge in Virginia. Seven thousand Confederate troops in Leesburg, Virginia, with more activity at Arlington Heights and Fairfax Court-House. Rapid recovery of Captain Joseph Laing, who had been wounded at Bull Run. Appointment of Gen. George G. Meade. Release of “political prisoner” (William Thomas) who had been arrested by Vermont volunteers near Chain Bridge in Virginia; he was a British citizen and committed no offense.
(6) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 9, 1861. Exchange of correspondence between the Russian Minister, Mr. De Stoekel and Secretary of State Seward confirming friendship among the two nations. Annual commencement at “Brown’s University” in Providence. Confederates arrested in Baltimore and taken to Fort McHenry. Richmond reports about activities at Fairfax Court-House, Munson Hill, Mason Hill, with “Five thousand of our troops are in sight of Washington.”
(7) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 10, 1861. Presidential pardon, extended by Gen. McClellan, to William Scott of the Third Vermont Volunteers for sleeping on his post. Much more war news.
(8) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 11, 1861. Letter of William Seward declining to release political prisoner. The New Police - officers appointed for Georgetown and other parts of Washington. Elections in Maryland, Vermont, Kentucky, and Maine.
(9) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 12, 1861. SKIRMISH YESTERDAY ACROSS THE RIVER. “Gen. Smith’s brigade, principally of Indiana Volunteers, yesterday advanced six or seven miles beyond the Chain Bridge. They were fired upon by a battery concealed in the woods and covered on each side by corn-field. The fire was promptly returned by Griffin’s battery, and after half an hour the enemy’s guns were silenced.” According to published reports, Union Brig. Gen. William F. "Baldy" Smith sent a force of about 1,800 men, accompanied by four guns, to conduct reconnaissance at Lewinsville. The soldiers, under the immediate command of Col. Isaac Stevens, left Camp Advance around 7:30 a.m. and arrived in the village about two and a half hours later. Around 2 p.m., the mission was complete, and recall was sounded. As the Union soldiers prepared for their return to camp, over 300 Confederates under the command of Col. J.E.B. Stuart launched an attack from the direction of Falls Church. Heavy artillery dueling ensued as the Union force fell back towards Washington. Smith himself arrived on the scene with two additional artillery pieces. Both sides claimed victory, and casualties were light.
(10) The Press, Philadelphia, September 12, 1861. LATEST NEWS BY TELEGRAPH - Important from Washington - A Spirited Engagement Near The Chain Bridge - A Reconnoitering Party Engaged By A Large Force Of Rebels - The Enemy Fight Undercover and Refuse an Open Field - Reckless Daring of Our Men! - 6 Killed, 7 Wounded, and 3 Taken Prisoners.” Extraordinarily detailed and dramatic report concerning the battle of Lewinsville, Virginia.
(11) The New York Herald, September 12, 1861. Front page, full page map of Northern Virginia and Georgetown - The National Battleground. The Armies of the Potomac - Encampments of Over Three Hundred Thousand Armed Men - Scene of the Coming Decisive Conflict.” Page five report - THE REBELLION. Important News From Virginia. Reconnaissance of the Enemy’s Position at Lewinsville. Sharp Action with the Rout of the Rebels. Loss of the Union Troops Seven Killed and Nine Wounded. Names of the Killed and Wounded. Details of the Fight at Lewinsville.
(12) The World, Morning Courier and New York Enquirer, September 12, 1861.
LATEST NEWS BY TELEGRAPH - The Southern Rebellion - Excitement at Washington - The Troops all Under Arms - Heavy Firing at Fort Ellsworth and Falls Church - Brisk Skirmishing at Lewinsville. Detailed reports from Lewinsville including “fearless daring” of New York Highlanders, Nineteenth Indiana Regiment, and Third Vermont Regiment. Text of brief “speech” of Gen. McClellan to his soldiers on the Potomac.
(13) Springfield Republican, Springfield, Mass., September 13, 1861. “The Reconnaissance of Wednesday” report about the battle at Lewinsville, VA, with anecdote about Gen. McClellan praising the bravery of the wounded (including one from NY 79th).
(14) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 13, 1861. The Skirmish of Wednesday - brief telegraphic dispatch from Gen. Smith’s Headquarters, dated September 11, 1861, concerning the skirmish at Lewinsville. Supplemented by “Some Unofficial Particulars” with highly detailed report about the skirmish at Lewinsville. Report of the portrait of Attorney General Bates by the artist J.A. Conant.
(15) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 14, 1861. Report about the Intelligencer’s omission from the Lewinsville skirmish despatch - “We shall have no more Bull Run affairs.” Meeting of Frontier Guards and Washington Guards at “Willards’ Hotel” concerning commemoration of U.S. Constitution and Washington’s Farewell Address.
(16) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 16, 1861.
Movements Across the River - activities a few miles past Ball’s Cross Road, attack on houses of Basil Hall and Gilbert Vanderweken.
(17) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 17, 1861. Premature reports and Confederate crossing of the Potomac. Counsels of Prudence - “We have outgrown the disaster at Bull Run” and urging caution. Gen. Lee Makes an Advance at Cheat Mountain Pass.
(18) Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., September 28, 1861. Another Brush at Lewinsville.
(19) The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 30, 1861. Front page Map of our Advance Upon the Rebel Fortifications in Northern Virginia. Munson’s Hill Captured - The Rebel Flag Displaced by the Stars and Stripes. Reported Burning of Falls Church. Report from Fort Ethan Allen (formerly Fort Baker), and report of activities on Leesburg pike.
(20) New York Times, October 11, 1861. Lengthy article about Affairs in Maryland - Correspondence from the Potomac, toughing upon Northern Virginia, with brief references to Lewinsville, Falls Church and Great Falls. The Army at Washington - “Since the affair at Bull Run, everything has been sacrificed to the defense of Washington.”
(21) New York Tribune, October 11, 1861. THE WAR FOR THE UNION - OCCUPATION OF LEWINSVILLE. The advantages Secured By Our Advance. The Rebel Batteries on the Potomac.
(22) New York Times, October 13, 1861. THE GREAT REBELLION. Important Advices From Washington including “Advance of the Rebels in Force between the Chain Bridge and Great Falls.”
(23) Lowell Daily Courier, Lowell, Mass., October 19, 1861. “Letter From Lewinsville, VA.” Detailed letter about the advance from the Chain Bridge and Union occupation of Lewinsville, as well as the “horrid accident” at Arlington Heights - “seven men dead, and twenty-seven more badly wounded by their friends.”
(24) New York Illustrated News, New York, October 28, 1861. Extraordinary, double page centerfold illustration “Advance of the Federal Army Towards Lewinsville, Gen. McClellan Reconnoitering.” Another dramatic illustration - “Government Baggage Train in a Storm Above Chain Bridge.” Articles accompanying illustrations. Light water stains at margins. Also included is a freestanding, full page illustration from The Illustrated London News (Oct. 12, 1861) - “The War In America: Bringing In The Federal Wounded After the Skirmish at Lewinsville, Virginia.”
(25) Sunday Delta, New Orleans, LA, Nov. 3, 1861. ‘The Battle of Leesburg” - detailed reports from the seat of the war. “Doleful Tidings From Leesburg.” This battle is also referred to as the Battle of Ball’s Bluff; described as an early battle of the American Civil War fought in Loudoun County, Virginia, on October 21, 1861, in which Union Army forces under Major General George B. McClellan suffered a defeat.
(26) Harper’s Weekly, New York, December 14, 1861. Excellent war-related illustrations, including on page 790 “The Village of Lewinsville, Virginia, Now Occupied By United States Troops” - “Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Virginia” - “Professor Lowe Making A Balloon Ascension on Reconnoitering Expedition to Vienna.” Small article explaining the illustrations (Fort Corcoran situated on the property of the rebel General Lee in Arlington Heights; Lewinsville described as site of “several sharp skirmishes” and “a miserable, broken down village, very Virginian in aspect” - balloons of great assistance). Pages detached at spine but good condition overall. Accompanied by full page print from Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper (June 15, 1861) - “Camp Corcoran, On Arlington Heights . . . Georgetown in the Distance.”
(27) New York Herald, December 22, 1861. Outstanding front-page map of Operations on the Upper Potomac. Additional Details of the Battle - Drainesville, Virginia, enhancing “brilliancy of the affair and add to the merit of the federal troops engaged.” Scouting near Fairfax Court House.
(28) New York Times, December 22, 1861. IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON, including Particulars of the Battle of Drainesville and the Gallantry at Drainesville.
(29) Camp Boas, 127th Reg’t P.V. (Union Camp) (1862). Hand colored Civil War lithograph of the 127th Regt. P.V. at Camp Boas by famed Philadelphia printer Rosenthal. The regiment’s commander is listed as Colonel W.W. Jennings. Marked “Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1862 by L.N. Rosenthal, in the clerk’s office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Rosenthal's Lith., 327 Walnut St., Philadelphia.” CONDITION: Very Good. Modest discoloration to the paper with creasing in the middle of the lithograph. CAMP BOAS. Colonel Jennings selected the knoll of a hill to the right of Fort Ethan Allen, immediately opposite division headquarters, for the new camp, and named it “Camp Boas,” in compliment to his patriotic uncle, Colonel F. K. Boas, of Harrisburg. He laid out the camp in one of the most uninviting places in that entire neighborhood, in close proximity to the Chain Bridge; and yet, after the camp was formed, the good judgment of the Colonel was developed, and it was made an exceedingly attractive place, and was, without exception, the most delightful camp of the regiment during its entire term of service. The grounds sloped in three directions, but mostly south, towards General Abercrombie’s headquarters.
(30) Daily Dispatch, Richmond, VA, Jan. 4, 1862. “OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF DRAINESVILLE” prepared by Gen. Stuart. “The Bayonet The True Weapon” - discussing its utility in the battle of Drainsville, VA. Gen. McClellan “dangerously sick” at Washington.
(31) Richmond Whig, Nov. 14, 1862. Skirmish ten miles past Culpeper Court House. Yankee raid in the streets of Fredericksburg. Prisoners of war captured near Fredericksburg. Seal of the State of Virginia in masthead - “The Constitution and State Rights.”
(32) Southern Confederacy, Atlanta, Georgia, Dec. 12, 1862. Rebel activities at Thoroughfare Gap and Warrenton Junction. The ice in the Potomac, near Aquia Creek, was nearly two inches thick.
(33) The Daily Rebel Banner, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec. 22, 1862. First Detailed Account of the Great Battle at Fredericksburg - Repulse of the Enemy. Gen. Franklin had to cope with Stonewall Jackson. Confederate flag in masthead.
(34) The Daily Richmond Enquirer, Aug. 15, 1863. “Mosby’s incursions do not appear to have received any serious check. He still continues his depredations on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; makes frequent captures of enterprising sutlers, who have suffered heavy pecuniary loss at his hands. Report from Staunton, VA.
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