Collage of historical images and cartoons of the American Civil War

Visual Culture of the American Civil WarA Special Feature of Picturing US History

The Union Volunteer.

In the early years of the war, many Currier & Ives prints glorified the volunteer soldiers and embraced themes of Union, love of flag, and patriotic duty. This is one of several prints published in 1861 with the same title and similar image of a flag-waving soldier, his sword raised in victory as he steps on the first version of the Confederate flag. Below the image is the following verse: "O'er Sumters wall OUR FLAG again we'll wave; / And give to traitors all a bloody grave. / OUR UNION and OUR LAWS maintain we must; / And treason's banner trample in the dust."In the early years of the war, many Currier & Ives prints glorified the volunteer soldiers and embraced themes of Union, love of flag, and patriotic duty. This is one of several prints published in 1861 with the same title and similar image of a flag-waving soldier, his sword raised in victory as he steps on the first version of the Confederate flag. Below the image is the following verse: "O'er Sumters wall OUR FLAG again we'll wave; / And give to traitors all a bloody grave. / OUR UNION and OUR LAWS maintain we must; / And treason's banner trample in the dust."

Physical Dimensions: 14 x 9 in.

Source: Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

Publisher: New York: Currier & Ives

Date: 1861