1861 Port Royal Victory Harper's Weekly Nov 30 General Halleck Trent Affair
$48.26
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This November 30, 1861, issue of Harper's Weekly is a landmark edition documenting the Union's first major strategic foothold in the Deep South. It provides a comprehensive visual record of the Port Royal Expedition and the international firestorm caused by the Trent Affair, featuring the capture of Confederate commissioners Mason and Slidell.
Title: 1861 Port Royal Victory Harper's Weekly Nov 30 General Halleck Trent Affair
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
📜 The Victory at Port Royal: The "nice" double-page centerfold captures the dramatic "Bombardment of Forts Walker and Beauregard." This naval victory at Port Royal Inlet, South Carolina, gave the Union a vital deep-water port and coaling station, effectively establishing a base of operations in the heart of the Confederacy.
📜 The Trent Affair: This issue documents one of the most dangerous diplomatic crises of the war. It features portraits of Commodore Wilkes and the captured Rebel Commissioners Mason and Slidell, along with a print of them being brought on board the USS San Jacinto. This event nearly brought Great Britain into the war on the side of the South.
🌟 FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS 🌟
⚔️ The Western Command:
Front-Page: A prestigious full-page portrait of Major-General Henry Halleck, who took command of the Department of the Missouri to restore order and discipline following the removal of John C. Fremont.
📍 South Carolina Occupation:
Hilton Head: A full page showing the Headquarters of General Wright at Fort Walker, depicting the Union occupation of what had recently been a Confederate stronghold.
Beaufort Expedition: Three prints showing the Union forces "Before The Attack" on Beaufort, South Carolina, a wealthy town famous for its Sea Island cotton.
Maritime Intelligence: A half-page map of the South Carolina Sea Coast, specifically detailing the depth of water on each bar—crucial data for the blockading fleet.
🛡️ The Defenses of Washington:
Detailed interior views of Fort Runyon and Fort Albany near Alexandria, Virginia, illustrating the massive ring of fortifications protecting the capital.
🎖️ Naval & Military Leaders:
Portraits of the architects of the Port Royal success: Captain S.F. Dupont (Navy) and Brigadier-General T.W. Sherman (Army).
🔬 Industrial Warfare:
An educational print titled "Shells and Their Manufacture," detailing the types of explosive ordnance used by the Union's heavy coastal guns.
🗞️ SOCIAL HISTORY & SATIRE 🗞️
Blenker’s Torchlight Procession: A vibrant print of General Blenker’s Division holding a procession in honor of the new Commander-in-Chief, George McClellan.
Political Satire: The back page features three cartoons titled "The Last Men at Beaufort, S.C.," satirizing the abandonment of the coastal town by its white residents as Union troops arrived.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Completeness: This is the complete 16-page issue, including the Port Royal centerfold and the Halleck front page.
Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from November 30, 1861, not a modern reproduction.
Condition Report: This issue is in excellent historical condition. The Port Royal bombardment centerfold is a premier framing piece, and the Trent Affair prints are essential for collectors of Civil War diplomacy.
🥂 WHY IT IS A MUST-HAVE 🥂
Naval Historians: Essential for documenting the Port Royal victory and the San Jacinto incident.
Missouri & Western Theater Buffs: Features the definitive "arrival" portrait of General Halleck.
South Carolina & Coastal Collectors: Contains foundational views of Hilton Head and Beaufort under Union occupation.
Custom Framing: I offer professional framing for any item in my shop. The Port Royal centerfold or the General Halleck cover would make a museum-quality historical focal point!
📦 SHIPPING & PRESERVATION 📦
Safe Storage: Housed in an acid-free archival folder with a Mylar overlay to protect the 164-year-old newsprint.
Flat Shipping: Shipped with heavy-duty reinforcement to ensure the issue and its centerfold arrive safely.
Tracked: All orders include tracking for your peace of mind.
🏷️ TAGS (SEO) 🏷️
1861 Harpers Weekly, General Henry Halleck, Port Royal Expedition, Bombardment of Fort Walker, Trent Affair, Mason and Slidell, Commodore Wilkes, Hilton Head South Carolina, November 30 1861.
1861 Port Royal Victory Harper's Weekly Nov 30 General Halleck Trent Affair
$48.26