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Rare Variant with Portraits of Generals
This Civil War-era map, One Hundred and Fifty Miles Around Richmond: Potomac Army Guide, was likely published between 1862 and 1863 by Charles Magnus.
The circular map, centered on Richmond, Virginia, offers a strategic overview of the area crucial to Union military operations, focusing on roads, railroads, towns, surface water, and landforms, with relief shown by hachures. The map extends from Hagerstown in the north to Enfield in the south and from Clifton Forge in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Its distinct circular design, with the upper half wider than the lower, emphasizes the importance of Richmond, the Confederate capital, which was the target for the Army of the Potomac during late 1862 and early 1863. This map does not appear in the Library of Congress's Civil War Maps (2nd edition), underscoring its rarity and unique significance in Civil War cartography.
The map is surrounded by vignetted portraits of six key Union generals, reflecting the command structure during the period. Featured are Major General Ambrose Burnside, who led the Army of the Potomac until January 1863, and Major General Joseph Hooker, who succeeded him on January 26, 1863. Additionally, four Corps commanders are included: General Franz Sigel (XI Corps), who resigned by February 1863; General Samuel P. Heintzelman (III Corps), known for his extensive military experience; General Edwin Vose Sumner (II Corps), recognized for his aggressive leadership; and General William B. Franklin (VI Corps), who played prominent roles at South Mountain and Fredericksburg. The presence of these generals suggests a publication date of January 1863, the brief period during which they all served together.
Rarity
While Charles Magnus would publish a number of states of this map, this particular state with the portraits is not in Stephenson, though it is clearly from the same lineage as 632.2-632.6.
