This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
In the summer of 1863, an anonymous publisher in New York created what would become one of the most striking pieces of Civil War propaganda. The large broadside, measuring 22½ by 17 inches, featured a dramatic map showing Union territorial gains against the Confederacy. Today, this rare artifact provides fascinating insights into how the North presented its military successes to the public.
Perfect Timing
The broadside appeared at a crucial moment in the war. The Union had just secured major victories at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Port Hudson, while West Virginia had been admitted as a new state. These successes came when the North desperately needed good news – New York City was reeling from the Draft Riots, while Copperhead Democrats like Governor Horatio Seymour were actively criticizing the war effort.
The Power of Persuasive Mapping
The broadside’s centerpiece is a wood-engraved outline map of the United States, extending nearly to the Pacific coast. Using a remarkably effective three-color scheme, it tells the story of Union progress at a glance. The white areas represent Free States and Delaware, while shaded regions show territories previously held by Confederate forces but now under Union control. The remaining Confederate territory appears in stark black.
Beyond just showing battle locations, this map pioneered a new approach to depicting the war. It presented the conflict as a story of territorial control, offering Northern readers a compelling visual narrative of steady progress. However, as historian Susan Schulten notes, this simplification sometimes masked the complex reality of shifting battle lines, particularly in the Eastern theater.
A Statistical Arsenal
Supporting the map’s visual message, the broadside included detailed statistics comparing Confederate holdings in 1861 versus August 1863. These numbers reinforced the impression of inevitable Union victory, though subsequent events would prove this optimism somewhat premature.
Territory by Territory
The accompanying text provided a detailed accounting of Union gains:
Missouri’s secure position in the Union
Arkansas’s capital under Federal control
Louisiana’s return following Banks’s campaign
The Mississippi River’s reopening after Grant’s Vicksburg victory
Kentucky’s demonstrated loyalty
The creation of West Virginia from Virginia’s territory
Union control of key Atlantic ports and coastal areas
Historical Significance
Today, this broadside is extremely rare, with only a few known copies held by institutions like the Boston Athenaeum and British Library. Its significance extends beyond its scarcity – it represents a sophisticated early use of statistical cartography for political persuasion.
Shop Civil War History Books on Amazon:
If you’re interested in learning more about Civil War, consider these books available through our Amazon affiliate links:
