2006-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006
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Crimean War Print An extraordinary Union occupation broadside, crucial to understanding the Confederacy's hatred of General Benjamin "Beast" Butler, in which Butler initiates an iron-fist rule over the pro-Southern population of New Orleans on May 1, 1862. New Orleans', the South's largest and busiest port was doomed from the beginning of 1862. Federal forces under the combined command of Union Admiral Farragut and General Butler descended upon the defenses of the city on April 18, 1862 and opened a five-day bombardment. After meeting with little success, Farragut steamed past the Forts Jackson and Philip, and proceeded upstream towards New Orleans. On April 25, Farragut's fleet reached the beleaguered city and two naval officers brazenly defied an angry mob to demand the unconditional surrender of the proud port city. Emotions ran high for the decidedly pro-Confederate population during four days of intense negotiation and stall tactics between the Union navy, city officials, and the regional Confederate command. During that time, angry crowds gathered to jeer and threaten the Union sailors and marines who entered the city. Citizen William Mumford hauled down an American flag that had been raised over the Custom House by US marines, then the unruly mob torn the banner to shreds. Finally, on April 29, news of the fall of Forts Jackson and Philip reached the city and Farragut occupied the doomed city with armed troops and forcibly took down all Confederate and state flags he found throughout the city. The next day, May 1, 1862 "Beast" Butler arrived in the city to assume military control over the now-occupied city. For all their acts of defiance the civilian population of New Orleans would suffer a near tyrannical rule at the hands of Military Governor Butler who cared little for past allegiances while Mumford was destined to loose his live. This historic broadside, printed in adversity style on the verso of an 1855 lithograph of an artillery battle scene from the Crimean War, 1p. measuring approximately 22 1/4" x 15", was executed in New Orleans on May 1, 1862, and is entitled simply: PROCLAMATION, over a finely engraved American eagle that clutches a ribbon with the motto: E Pluribus Unum. Undoubtedly, hastily printed in the evening upon Butler's first day of arrival, the broadside opens with the general's justification for imposing martial law in the city, reading, in very small part: "…The City of New Orleans and its environs…having been surrendered to the combined naval and land forces of the United States…being now in occupation of the United States, who have come to restore order…it has…been under the military control of the rebel forces, claiming to be the peculiar friends of its citizens…during the interim from its evacuation by the rebel soldiers…the civil authorities…have found it necessary to call for…an armed body known as the 'European Legion,' to preserve public tranquility. The Commanding General, therefore, will cause the City to be governed until…his further orders, by…martial law…". Then in the body of the document, Butler imposes nearly two dozen rules and restrictions to be followed during his reign, reading, in part: "…All persons in arms against the United States are required to surrender themselves, with their arms…the 'European Legion' not being…in arms against the United States…will report to these Headquarters…All flags…tending to uphold any authority whatever save the flags of the United States…must be…suppressed. The…emblem of the United States must be treated with the utmost deference and respect by all persons, under pain of sever punishment…All persons…shall renew their oath of allegiance…of the United States…the violation of which…is punishable by death…All shops and places of business are to be kept open in the accustomed manner, and services to be had in the churches and religious houses as in times of profound peace…Keepers of all public houses, coffee shops and drinking saloons, are to report their names and numbers…The killing of an American soldier by an disorderly person or mob , is simply assassination and murder, and not war, and will be so regarded and punished…The owner of any house or building in or from which such murder shall be committed, will be held responsible therefore, and the house will be liable to be destroyed by the military authority…The levy and collection of all taxes…are suppressed, except those for keeping in repair and lighting the streets, and for sanitary purposes…The circulation of Confederate bonds…except…bank notes issued by the Confederate States…is strictly forbidden…Confederate notes…the only substitute for money which the people have been allowed to have…will be permitted as long as any one may be inconsiderate…to receive them…The armies of the United States came here not to destroy but to…restore order out of chaos…and if any soldier of the United States should…forget his duty…as to commit any outrage upon any person or property, the Commanding General requests that his name be instantly reported to the Provost Guard…And finally…it is the desire of these authorities to exercise this government mildly…[but] it must not be supposed that it will not be vigorously and firmly administered as occasion calls…by command of GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. Gen., Chief of Staff…". Signed in type, in lower right margin: BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, Major-General Commanding, U. S. A., Department of the Gulf. Overall, a truly historic, possibly unique, example of New Orleans and American history that led to the oppression of a conquered people and the hatred of a Union general who became known as "Spoons" and "Beast" Butler throughout the South before being removed from power by the Federal government. This broadside is recorded in "Bibliography of New Orleans Imprints 1764-1864" by Florence Jumonville, being #3284 and listing only one other known copy, though that one is not listed as being printed on a lithograph.
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