Description:

Vicksburg Siege "Daily Citizen" Wallpaper Newspaper, July 2-4, 1863

An early reprint of the July 2-4, 1863 issue of the Vicksburg, Mississippi newspaper "The Daily Citizen," probably dating from the Reconstruction-era. The four-column newspaper is printed on the reverse of a sheet of block-printed floral wallpaper. Expected wear including flattened folds; the central horizontal fold has been professionally repaired, as has a tear in the upper left corner. Scattered isolated closed tears and chipped edges, and slightly unevenly trimmed along the bottom. Even toning and minor ghost impressions of the wallpaper pattern recto. Else near fine, with 1" to 1.5" margins. 11.125" x 18.625."

Supplies ran low during the waning days of the Siege of Vicksburg, including that of available newsprint, so Swords resorted to printing issues of Vicksburg's "The Daily Citizen" on the backsides of wallpaper during the last two weeks of the siege. Known "wallpaper editions" were produced on June 16, 18, 20, 27, 30, and July 2-4, 1863. Reprints of the celebrated "wallpaper editions" began as early as the 1870s, mostly in conjunction with Grand Army of the Republic or other veterans' commemorations.

The July 2-4, 1863 issue of "The Daily Citizen" was published around the same time as two landmark Civil War events: the July 1-3, 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, fought in Pennsylvania about 1000 miles to the northeast; and the imminent surrender of the city of Vicksburg itself on July 4, 1863.

On the Union prospects of forcing Vicksburg to surrender, Swords wrote confidently that:

"The Yanks outside our city are considerably on the sick list. Fever, dysentery and disgust are their companions, and Grant is their master. The boys are deserting daily and are crossing the river in the region of Warrenton, cussing Grant and abolitionists generally. The boys are down upon the earth delving, the burrowing, the bad water, and the hot weather…"

On the Confederate chances of securing victory following their June 13-15, 1863 triumph at the Second Battle of Winchester, leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg:

"…Gen. Robert E. Lee has given Hooker, Milroy & Co. [Major General Joseph Hooker, Major General Robert H. Milroy, etc.] one of the best and soundest whippings on record, and the 'glorious Union' is now exceedingly weak in the knees…To-day Maryland is ours, to-morrow Pennsylvania will be, and the next day Ohio…"

The July 2-4, 1863 issue reported on wartime shortages exacerbated by the siege. The citizens of Vicksburg had resorted to eating "Confederate beef alias meat," that is, mule meat, as well as cat. Other problems--such as hoarding, military confiscation, and price gauging--limited supply. Nevertheless, Swords and other besieged residents remained resolute against the "poor Northern white slaves" and "pink-nosed, slab-sided, toad-eating Yankee[s]" that menaced their city and the Confederacy in general. Yet the publisher's note from July 4, 1863 recounted a different ending: "The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg…This is the last wall-paper edition, and is, excepting this note, from the types as we found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a curiosity."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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