Black Americans, Civil War Scene Plantation Police 1863

Antiques : Prints

 

This is a wood block engraving which appeared in Frank Leslie’s, The Soldier in Our Civil War, A Pictorial History of the Conflict, 1863. Frank Leslie was a leading publisher during the Civil War.

The illustration “Plantation Police or Home-Guard, Examining Passes on the Road Leading to the Levee of the Mississippi” was engraved from a sketch by noted Civil War artist, F.B. Schell. Prior to photography, it was common for newspaper publishers to send out staff artists who would go to the battlefields and record the drama and action of the war.

The Plantation Police or Patrol, was an institution peculiar to the Slave States. It was a semi-military organization, raised and supported by the planters, but recognized by the old state authorities. Their principal duty was to visit the various plantations and patrol the roads at night, arresting all African Americans and others not having proper passes.

Size and Condition

The original wood block engraving is printed on high quality tan colored paper. On the reverse side is newspaper text. The overall paper measures approximately 16 3/4” x 10 ½” and the actual image measures approximately 14” x 9”. This page is in good condition with no tears. Mild soiling in margin areas.

Item ID: 000893