[Maj. General Franklin Gardner (1823-1873)]. General Orders No. 61. Letterpress broadside. Headquarters, Port Hudson, Louisiana: N.p., 8 July 1863. 1 page, approx. 7 7/8 x 9 in. Crandall 647; Parrish & Willingham 1136, with some variations. 

An exceedingly scarce broadside issued by Confederate Major General Franklin Gardner upon the surrender of Port Hudson, Louisiana, after the lengthy siege of 1863. Port Hudson was the final strategic site on the Mississippi River still under Confederate control in 1863. General Nathaniel P. Banks launched a failed assault followed by a 48-day siege, and another assault; however, Port Hudson was only surrendered after the fall of Vicksburg. 

The text, addressed to the Confederate troops, reads in full: "I. Nobly have the troops performed their duty in the defence of this position, continued from the 31st of May to the present date. The cheerfulness, bravery and zeal displayed by the troops during the hardships and suffering of this long siege has never been surpassed, and every man can feel the proud satisfaction that he has done his part in this heroic defence of Port Hudson. The place is surrendered at the last moment it is proper to hold it, and after a most gallant defence in several severe attacks, in all of which the enemy have been signally [sic] repulsed. Let all continue, during the duties that still remain to be performed, to show that cheerful obedience which has distinguished them as soldiers up to this time. II. The troops will be praded at [blank] o'clock [blank] M [blank] for surrender in lineof battle in the same order as they are now at the breastworks, with the heavy artillery on the right in the edge of the prairie in rear of the railroad depot; the left extending towards the town of Port Hudson. All officers and men will be in their places under arms."

EXCEEDINGLY RARE. Only one other copy of the broadside is known, held at the Boston Athenaeum (P&W 1136), which displays notable differences. The paper is slightly smaller, a more typical 8vo size. Additionally, the Boston copy is signed in type "By command of / Maj.-Gen. FRANK GARDNER." With an additional line for the signature, which was completed by C.M. Jackson, A.A.G., accounting for a slightly longer printed area than the present copy. The Boston copy is also completed in manuscript, noting the date and time of the parade to be "6 o'clock A.M. to-morrow." The uneven paper and inking, together with the above variations, suggest that this copy may have been a preliminary proof printing. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate]  [Broadsides, Ephemera, Printing, Posters, Handbills, Documents, Newspapers] 

Adhesive and paper residue from previous mounting to verso corners.