Description:

Winfield Scott
n.p., n.d. but ca. 1861
Anti-Winfield Scott Ephemera Satirizing Anaconda Plan
Ephemera
A bright orange waxed stock card printed to resemble a period newspaper announcement of transportation news, ca. 1861, likening the resignation of Commanding General of the U.S. Army Winfield Scott (1786-1866) to the departure of a steamer called "the United States." N.p. The glossy surface shows expected wear including edge darkening and scattered scuffs. Pencil inscriptions and mounting traces verso, else very good to near fine. Slightly unevenly trimmed to an overall size of 3.75" x 2.75."

The card in full:

"The Old Line. The sure, safe and fast sailing steamer, United States, will shortly leave Washington, for Richmond, Norfolk, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Pensacola, New Orleans, and Galveston. This steamer will connect with all the Southern Railroad lines, and permanent arrangements are making so that passengers from all parts of the country may be secured in all their just rights and privileges, through the entire route. Winfield Scott, Captain. Gen G.B. McClellan, Master of Transportation."

Scott, who had held the title of Commanding General of the U.S. Army since 1841, had resigned his post in late 1861 at the age of 75 years old. The choice was less a reflection of Scott's advanced age as it was an acknowledgement of President Abraham Lincoln's increasing confidence in and reliance on Scott's military subordinate, George B. McClellan. Lincoln accepted Scott's resignation and ignored Scott's recommendation of a successor, instead appointing McClellan as the new Commanding General of the U.S. Army.

The card alludes to this transfer of power by characterizing Winfield Scott as a mere steamboat captain while McClellan bears the grander title of Master of Transportation. The faux newspaper announcement also critiques Scott's so-called Anaconda Plan. This was a two-pronged military strategy implemented during the first months of the Civil War. It entailed erecting naval blockades to bottle up major Confederate ports, and driving a wedge through the Confederacy at the Mississippi River. This anti-Winfield Scott card suggests that the Anaconda Plan was an abject failure. Not only does it mention that the steamboat will visit prominent Southern cities supposedly inaccessible through the Union blockade, but it also states that travelers "from all parts of the country may be secured in their just rights and privileges, through the entire route." So much for wartime restrictions!

McClellan's era of primacy was short-lived; he was removed of command within the year.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 3.75" x 2.75"
  • Medium: Ephemera

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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