ORIGINAL 90TH PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY CIVIL WAR RECRUITING BROADSIDE

$6,500.00 SOLD

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Item Code: 565-151

This highly attractive example of early military advertising was intended to raise troops for the newly-formed 90th Pa Infantry. They wore a “chassuer” uniform; a type of uniform intended to denote troops trained for rapid action. The uniform consisted of a dark blue habit vest with white trimming, baggy sky blue trousers, and a dark blue kepi. The buttons on the habit vest were unique to the 90th Pa. They were the only Union regiment in the entire War to have a specific button design.

This broadside was printed after Gettysburg, the most famous Civil War battle. The chaplain of the regiment, Horatio Stockton Howell, was cruelly murdered on the steps of the Lutheran Church during the Battle. His name appears on a small tombstone at the foot of the charging soldier so as to evoke feelings of vengeance that would increase enlistments.

It is a remarkable piece in that it is almost totally dominated by bold red and blue ink graphics of a wild-eyed infantryman breaching rebel defenses that effectively convey a sense of patriotic urgency. To the men of the period it needed to say no more than “National Guard” and Col Peter Lyle. They were both household names and were a magnet to draw recruits.

Col Peter Lyle was formerly of the 19th regiment which originated in the National Guards of Philadelphia, a uniformed regiment of the State militia. It served in the Mexican War and was commanded by then Captain Lyle in 1847. The National Guard became an institution in Philadelphia, and had its own hall erected. The Guards were in line at Harrisburg on the 22d of February, 1861, for the reception of Abraham Lincoln, President elect, on his way to the National Capital. Upon the outbreak of the rebellion the regiment was mustered into service as the 19th Pa Volunteers, with the same field officers who had commanded the Guards, including Peter Lyle.

It’s no wonder then, that when Lyle began recruiting for his new unit, all that would be required on the broadside for men to continue to flock to his standard would be his name and previous affiliation to the National Guard. So great was the desire to belong to this organization, that it was regarded as a personal favor to be accepted. The regiment served its name well as it was engaged in all of the major battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Antietam through Petersburg, while suffering many losses.

It should also be noted that this broadside, unlike the vast majority of Civil War broadsides that were commercially printed, was actually printed by the regiment itself. Because of its stature the regiment had its own printing press, along with printers, skilled designers and engravers in its ranks. The quality of the piece is testimony to the skills of these artisans. This is an extremely rare Civil War recruiting poster in color and virtually unique from all other Civil War recruiting broadsides with its horizontal orientation.

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This colorful call for volunteers reads “HEAD-QUARTERS – OF – CAPT. GOTT’S / COMPANY / National Guard / ZOUAVES.” The lettering is done in black with red highlights and the last line. “ZOUAVES” is emphatically shadowed in pale green.… (1052-171). Learn More »

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