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Title: 1864 Petersburg Mine Explosion Harpers Weekly August 20 Mobile Bay
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
📜 The Battle of the Crater: This August 20, 1864, issue documents one of the most audacious and tragic military experiments in history. It provides a contemporary visual record of the massive Union mine detonated under the Confederate works at Petersburg, an explosion that created a "crater" and led to a desperate, bloody assault on Cemetery Hill.
📜 The Burning of Chambersburg: On the homefront, this issue captures the stark reality of "total war" with haunting views of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Following a Confederate raid, the town was burned to the ground, leaving behind ruins that shocked the Northern public and hardened their resolve.
🌟 FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS 🌟
💥 "Explosion of the Mine and Assault on Cemetery Hill" (Double-Page Centerfold): A spectacular and historically significant centerpiece. This sweeping battle scene depicts the moment of the Great Mine explosion at Petersburg. It is a "must-have" for Virginia military historians and those studying the Battle of the Crater.
💣 "Before Petersburg—Carrying Powder to the Mine" (Front-Page): Two rare and fascinating cover prints showing the secret preparations for the explosion, including Colonel Pleasants (the mining engineer) superintending the arrival of the massive amounts of gunpowder.
🏛️ "The Ruins of Chambersburg" (Full-Page): A somber collection of three views showing the Bank and Franklin Hotel, Main Street, and the Town Hall in ruins. These are foundational prints for Pennsylvania local history.
🌊 The Battle of Mobile Bay: Includes a strategic map of Mobile Bay and the Defenses of the City, along with naval prints of Fort Morgan and the Rebel Fleet and the shelling of a blockade-runner. Essential for Civil War naval buffs.
⚔️ Grant’s Campaign — Combat & Logistics:
"Capture of Four 20 Pound Parrott Guns" — A full-page action print featuring Miles’s Brigade and Barlow’s Division.
"Hancocks Corps Crossing the James River" — Documenting the massive troop movements from Joness Neck.
🙏 "The Christian Commission in the Field" (Full-Page): A detailed look at the civilian relief efforts providing spiritual and physical aid to the soldiers, illustrating the compassionate side of the war effort.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Complete Issue: This is the full, original 16-page issue from August 20, 1864.
Originality: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from 1864—an authentic 160-year-old primary source.
Condition Study: I take pictures of every single page so you can study them carefully. Look for the intricate detail in the Mine Explosion centerfold and the crisp strikes of the woodblock prints on the front page.
🥂 WHY IT IS A MUST-HAVE 🥂
Petersburg & Crater Specialists: This is the primary visual record of the most famous mining operation of the Civil War.
Pennsylvania Historians: The Chambersburg ruin prints are among the most evocative images of the wars impact on Northern civilians.
Naval & Mobile Bay Collectors: The combination of the tactical map and the Fort Morgan prints provides a comprehensive look at Admiral Farraguts theater of operations.
Custom Framing: I offer professional framing for any item in my shop. The Petersburg Mine centerfold or the Chambersburg ruins page would make a museum-quality historical display!
📦 SHIPPING & PRESERVATION 📦
Safe Storage: Housed in an acid-free archival folder with a Mylar overlay to protect the newsprint from environment and handling.
Flat Shipping: Shipped with heavy-duty reinforcement to ensure the issue and its large centerfold arrive safely.
Tracked: All orders include tracking for your peace of mind.
🏷️ TAGS (SEO) 🏷️
1864 Harpers Weekly, Battle of the Crater, Petersburg Mine Explosion, Burning of Chambersburg PA, Battle of Mobile Bay Map, Colonel Henry Pleasants, General Hancock James River, Christian Commission Civil War, Fort Morgan Mobile Bay, August 20 1864.
