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Complete issue of The New South from January 3, 1863, four pages, 9.75 x 13, with the front page featuring a poetic tribute to John Brown by W. H. Brownell, a report on the Banks expedition at New Orleans, and the text of Maj. Gen. Butler's farewell address.
The second page boasts Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton's speech proclaiming freedom: "The 1st of January, 1863?the day announced by President Lincoln for the emancipation of the slaves of all owners in rebellion against the Government of the United States was celebrated at Smith's Plantation with great enthusiasm. The following address of Gen. Saxton, issued some days since, attracted to the beautiful grounds of camp Saxton a crowd of nearly three thousand people: A Happy New Year's Greeting to the Colored People in the Department of the South.?In accordance, as I believe, with the will of our Heavenly Father, and by direction of your great and good friend, whose name you are all familiar with, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, on the 1st day of January 1863, you will be declared 'forever free.'
When in the course of human events there comes a day which is destined to be an everlasting beacon-light, marking a joyful era in the progress of a nation and the hopes of a people, it seems to be fitting the occasion that it should not pass unnoticed by those whose hopes it comes to brighten and to bless.
Such a day to you is January 1, 1863. I therefore call upon all the colored people in this Department to assemble on that day at the Head Quarters of the 1st Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers, there to hear the President's Proclamation read, and to indulge in such other manifestations of joy as may be called forth by the occasion. It is your duty to carry this good news to your brethren who are still in slavery. Let all your voices, like merry bells, join loud and clear in the grand chorus of liberty?'We are free,' 'We are free,'?until listening, you shall hear its echoes coming back from every cabin in the land, 'We are free,' 'We are free.'" In very good to fine condition, with irregular toning to the first page.
