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Latey, John Lash (editor) : The Illustrated London News. No. 1101. Vol. XXXIX. Saturday, August 3, 1861. AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

(London: George C. Leighton, 1861)

400 x 280 mm; magazine, disbound from volume XXXIX, without wraps (as issued), and contained within a film fronted bag; pp. [103-126]; several woodcuts. Regular light browning; some soiling and fingering throughout; some glue remnants to stitching; a few short tears. News in this number is dominated by the American Civil War. There is a picture of the town and harbour of St. Pierre, Martinique, some forty years before the devastating volcanic eruption destroyed the settlement there. There is a full-page American Civil War illustration with the caption "Review of Federal troops on the 4th of July by President Lincoln and General Scott: the Garibaldi Guard filing past" (p. 111). The journal's Special Correspondent examines the manpower of the Northern forces, and is full of complements for these unseasoned soldiers. Excerpt: 'A few remarks in reference to the organisation of the Union Army will not be thrown away here. For a country like the United States - recollect that I am speaking of only the northern division - to place 150,000 men in the field armed and equipped in the short space of little better than two months is indeed surprising. When I say 150,000 men I mean those actually in line of battle; not including the untold legions on their way to the seat of war and others drilling in the various States to which they belong. Your readers, to realise the energy that has been displayed, must take into consideration the fact that the standing army has scarcely ever exceeded 15,000; and that almost every man now called upon to serve has been enrolled, clothed, armed, and drilled in the period above mentioned. I do not mean to assert that this army goes to the field in as serviceable a condition as a European one of similar proportions; for in the essential of cavalry they are lamentably deficient. But perfection is not to be expected from a country that has never laid claim to be considered a military Power, though I very much doubt if America won't proudly assert her right to such distinction before the close of the lamentable strife she is now engaged in. To one fact I can bear positive testimony, which is, that no other nation could bring into array a more goodly show of sinew and muscle … It is not by any means uncommon to see in the ranks huge, brawny fellows, six feet three and four in height, "boys" who can hand a tree or start a barge down the rapids, and in whose hands a musket and bayonet is no more than a toasting fork.'

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