General M'Clellan's Dream
[Philadelphia]: Daily News Job Office, [1861]. Broadside. 8 3/4" x 13 1/8"
Story of a vivid dream Gen. George B. McClellan supposedly had within days of taking command of the United States Army in late 1861. In the dream McClellan is visited by the spirit of George Washington, who shows him a "living map" of Confederate movements and strongholds, warns him of a traitor in his midst, and urges him to move quickly with to save the Union in its "Second Great Struggle for existence." McClellan wakes to find the map he'd been poring over before dozing off covered with detailed pencil notations in his own hand.
This piece is the work of Charles Wesley Alexander, a Philadelphia publisher who wrote under the pen-name of Wesley Bradshaw. Apparently originally published in the Philadelphia Dollar Weekly News. This occult theme was apparently a staple for him, as he published similar pieces in which Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are given ghostly advice as well.
This copy bears a prior owner's pencilled notation on back side indicating it was acquired Christmas Eve, 1861. McClellan had assumed command as General in Chief of all Union Armies on November 1, 1861.
Printed in double columns on pink paper with decorative border cuts. Slight fading toward edges with one tiny edge chip a couple of very short, cleanly closed edge tears. Light staining to reverse. Fine condition overall.
Item #1703
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