PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Lossing, Benson J.

Published by George W. Childs and Thomas Belknap, Philadelphia & Hartford, 1868

Three volumes. 608; 640; [2],640pp., including 1171 total in-text maps and illustrations, plus engraved frontispiece in first and third volumes (lacking frontispiece portrait of Lincoln in second volume). Original embossed tan cloth, boards gilt- stamped, spines gilt. Cloth a bit faded with scattered small stains, corners and spine extremities fraying, ink stain on spine of first volume. Scattered light foxing, heavier towards the end of second volume, vol. 2 lacking frontispiece portrait. 20th-century ownership label to front pastedown of vol. 3, extensive manuscript annotations throughout all volumes in red and blue ink. Overall, very good. A particularly informative copy of one of the earliest reliable histories of the Civil War, covering through the assassination of President Lincoln and the early days of Reconstruction. Although the spines of all three volumes list George Childs as the publisher, in reality he published only the first volume; the second and third were published by Thomas Belknap of Hartford in 1868. The author, Benson J. Lossing, was known as a particularly apt historian with an uncommon care for accuracy and detail. While his personal sympathies lay with the North, he did his best to record events accurately and without bias, undertaking two separate thousand-mile journeys to visit battle sites, make sketches, interview locals and veterans, and examine official documents. A personal letter of introduction from General Grant allowed Lossing access to military personnel and documents that were closed to other historians, and he used them well. "Since Lossing was both an eyewitness and an historian, his study has value in the extent of his coverage and his unusual first-hand impressions" - Nevins. Lossing's eye for detail is complemented in this particular copy by the extensive efforts of its owner in the 1940s, Richard Southgate of Vermont. Each volume is filled with copious manuscript notes in the margins and the white space around portraits which provide additional information, expanded indices, corrections, cross-references, and more. The majority of these notes accompany the printed illustrations of major figures from the war - many portraits are surrounded by details of that officer's life, deployment, career, and ultimate fate. For example, Southgate notes beside the portrait of Major General William Nelson that he "was shot and killed by Maj. Gen Jeff C. Davis (U.S.) for making a pass at Davis's Wife. Nothing done to Davis for this - he became one of W.T. Sherman's prominent sub- commanders." Beside an illustration of "The Lacy House - Hooker's Headquarters," he supplies that it "was called 'Chatam' by Fitzhugh - who FREQUENTLY entertained Geo. Washington - Now (1949) owned by John Lee Pratt of General Motors." Other notes are more personal - Southgate notes a descendent of Jubal Early living in Grafton, Vermont, and seems to have had a particular interest in Connecticut; many names are noted with their connections to the state, and he provided an index of "Conn. Troops" on the front free endpapers of the second and third volumes. Already an entertaining, thoroughly illustrated, and informative contemporary history of the Civil War, this copy has been transformed into a veritable encyclopedia by an enthusiastic former owner. NEVINS II, p. 20. Seller Inventory # WRCAM57139

Bibliographic Details

Title: PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN THE ...
Publisher: George W. Childs and Thomas Belknap, Philadelphia & Hartford
Publication Date: 1868