Following the battle of Gettysburg, Union prisoners, mostly in the 3^rd Union Corps., were marched to Bell Island.  One of the survivors, George Gantt of the 26^th Regiment Volunteers, “At the request of a large number of my fellow Bell Island, prisoners of war, I have written a short sketch from my notes taken on the spot, and put the same in type.  The account embraces from the 2^nd of July at Gettysburg, PA., up to September 21^st on Bell Island.  The statement is facts only, and not from an imaginary brain.”

The broadside we are offering measures 5 ¾ x 14 ¾ inches.  We are not sure if it was a private printing or done by a newspaper.  It is, however, definitely a broadside (nothing on the reverse) and was intended to be either posted or handed out. 

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER EXAMPLE!!

The condition is very fine with several archival repairs and would make an excellent piece for display in either a prisoner of war or Gettysburg collection.  Note the spelling of “Bell” Island.  Most of the time we see it spelled “Belle”.  This broadside was apparently published when Gantt was paroled around October 1863.  He writes from College Green Barracks (see last paragraph on the broadside), “Where the men arrived in truly pitiful condition.  The majority are sick from starvation and exposure.” 

An extremely rare broadside, possibly the only one surviving!

#PO15 – Price $1,295