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1863 Endicott View of the Civil War Execution of a Highwayman, w/ Colored Regiments
MilitaryExecution-endicott-1863$2,750.00
Title
Military Execution Of James Griffin, alias John Thomas Barnett, a Private of the 11th Pa. Calvary, for Desertion and Highway Robbery, At Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 17th, 1863.
1863 (dated) 13.5 x 18.25 in (34.29 x 46.355 cm)
1863 (dated) 13.5 x 18.25 in (34.29 x 46.355 cm)
Description
This is an extremely rare c. 1863 Civil War Era hand-tinted Endicott lithograph illustrating the execution of John Thomas Barnett, a Union deserter and highwayman. Significantly, at left, the image depicts the 1st and 2nd Regiment Colored Troops among the observers.
The 2nd USCT, mustered into service on June 20, 1863, in Arlington, Virginia, also saw significant action in the Eastern Theater, including the Battle of Natural Bridge in Florida. Like the 1st USCT, the 2nd regiment faced considerable racial discrimination but proved their combat prowess and dedication to the Union cause. Both regiments’ efforts were part of a broader movement involving approximately 180,000 African American men who served in the Union Army and Navy, playing a crucial role in the Union’s victory and the abolition of slavery.
A Closer Look
The image looks on the execution of. John Thomas Barnett (c. 1844 - 1863), a private of the 11th Pennsylvania Calvary court-martialed for desertion and highway robbery. Barnett appears in the foreground at the moment of his death, having fallen backward over his own coffin. Clouds of gunsmoke surround the firing squad. Observing the scene are various military regiments, including the 21st Connecticut Volunteers, N.Y. battery, 5th Pennsylvania Calvary, 11th Pennsylvania Calvary (Barnett's own regiment), the 148th New York Volunteers, and most significantly, the 1st and 2nd Regiment U.S. Colored Troops.John T. Barnett, Highwayman
Barnett was apparently quite the character, having been a highwayman well before the outbreak of the Civil War. An article in the October 1863 Daily Alta California tells his story,Capture of a Desperate Character. A desperado of no ordinary character has just been lodged in the jail of this city. Though quite young, having not much more than reached the age of maturity, his career of crime is fully equal to the bold, daring exploits of Dick Turpin, Tom King, and other noted highwaymen, of whom we read so much in works of romance.
At the breaking out of the war he attached himself to the Third Georgia Regiment of Infantry, and remained with it until the evacuation of this city by the rebel troops. For a time he led a careless, easy life off the ill-gotten gains which he fraudulently obtained from various parties.
Assuming the character of a gentleman, he succeeded in ingratiating himself into the goodwill of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, which organization he joined, becoming tired of living after the style of a citizen. His restless disposition was constantly urging him to seek adventure. This caused him again to leave the regiment of his choice clandestinely. In company with a fellow soldier he sallied forth, stopped a carriage containing three gentlemen, whom, by the force of arms, he compelled to deliver up sixteen thousand dollars in money, two gold watches and a silver one, together with a diamond breast pin and a gold headed cane. He further intimidated his victims by threatening them that if they reported the outrage he would retaliate by murder. One of the number jumped from the carriage, and, making for the fields, was fired upon by both of the desperadoes.
The case being brought before the military authorities, the base culprit was tried by a commission, and by it sentenced to be shot to death by musketry.
Until within a short time past John Thomas Barnett, for that is his name, has been in durance vile, awaiting the fixing of the day of execution. His natural shrewdness did not even now desert him. Seeing a favorable opportunity for escape, he eluded the guard, and once again he had his freedom in his own hands. He immediately made for the Southern lines, which he reached; but his stay in 'Dixie' was destined to be short, as the ever-vigilant Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry were close on his track. Crossing the Blackwater, they scouted through the lower parts of this State and crossed over into North Carolina. Here, in Camden county, in company with a gang of guerrillas, about a dozen in number, the especial object of their search was found.
The whole party were brought into Norfolk yesterday, and the highwayman is once again shut up from the outside world, with the reflection that the sentence will be rigidly enforced. Though he is of a nonchalant disposition, apparently composed of all that is necessary to be desperate, yet he may repent upon reflection.
1st and 2nd United States Colored Troops
The 1st and 2nd United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiments were pivotal in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861 - 1865). The 1st USCT was mustered into service on May 19, 1863, in Washington, D.C., following the Emancipation Proclamation. This regiment played crucial roles in major battles, including the Siege of Petersburg and the Battle of the Crater, demonstrating remarkable bravery and helping to challenge prevailing doubts about the effectiveness of black soldiers. Their contributions were instrumental in shifting perceptions and promoting greater acceptance of African American troops within the Union Army.The 2nd USCT, mustered into service on June 20, 1863, in Arlington, Virginia, also saw significant action in the Eastern Theater, including the Battle of Natural Bridge in Florida. Like the 1st USCT, the 2nd regiment faced considerable racial discrimination but proved their combat prowess and dedication to the Union cause. Both regiments’ efforts were part of a broader movement involving approximately 180,000 African American men who served in the Union Army and Navy, playing a crucial role in the Union’s victory and the abolition of slavery.
Publication History and Census
This view was published in New York by Endicott and Company. Neely and Holzer, in The Union Image, attribute the printed to Bufford, but there is no indication of this on the print or in other existing literature. We have identified only one other known example of this print, listed as both a 'digitized image' and a 'black and white film negative' at the Library of Congress. We have been unable to definitively confirm the existence of a printed example in that collection. Not in OCLC or any other collection reference.CartographerS
Endicott and Company (fl. c. 1828 - 1891) was a New York based family run lithography firm that flourished throughout the 19th century. The firm was founded by George and William Endicott, brothers who were born in Canton, Massachusetts. George Endicott (June 14, 1802 - 1848) trained as a lithographer under Pendleton Lithography from January 1826. He later worked as superintendent of Senefelder Company until the summer of 1828. Afterwards, in 1830, he relocated to Baltimore and partnered with Moses Swett. Endicott and Swett relocated to New York City in December 1831. They remained partners until July 1834 when the relationship dissolved. George set up shop on his own account at 359 Broadway. William Endicott (1815 - 1851), George's younger brother of 14 years, joined the firm in 1840 and was made a partner in 1845, after which the name of the firm was changed to G. and W. Endicott. George Endicott died shortly afterward, in 1848, but William continued operating the firm as William Endicott and Co. until his own 1851 death at just 35 years old. The firm was carried on by his widow Sara Munroe Endicott until it was taken over by her son, Francis Endicott, who ran the firm from 1852 to 1886. George Endicott, Jr. subsequently ran the firm from 1887 to 1891. Peters, in his important work on American lithography America on Stone writes 'it is hard to summarize the Endicotts. They did everything and did it well . . . [they] worked with and for Currier and Ives, yet in spite of all that much of their work lacks real individuality.' The Endicott firm was responsible for many 19th century views and plans of New York City and state as well as plans of Sacramento, California, and the Midwest. More by this mapmaker...
John Henry Bufford (July 27, 1810 - October 8, 1870) was a Boston based lithographer and printer. Bufford was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He apprenticed as an artist and lithographer at Pendleton Lithography (1825 - 1836) of Boston. In 1835 he relocated to New York where he took independent commissions from George Endicott and Nathaniel Currier, among others. Returning to his hometown of Boston in 1839, he took a position of chief artist with the firm of Benjamin W. Thayer, heir to Pendleton Lithography. He probably married Thayer's sister, Anna Melora Tufts Thayer (1808-1878). Bufford has been highly criticized as an engraver, with one historian, David Tatham, stating he had 'a mediocre sort of craftsmanship at best' and 'no very special skills as an original artist.' We, however, find no justification for this harsh criticism. Instead Bufford gravitated toward business and management. By 1844 Thayer's shop was renamed J. H. Bufford and Company. The firm specialized in decorative sheet music, panoramic views, illustrations for books, retractions of paintings, and commercial printing. Bufford is credited with being one of the first employers and mentors of the important artist and engraver Winslow Homer. Bufford died in 1870, passing on the business to his sons Frank G. Bufford and John Henry Bufford Jr. These young men, operating under the imprint of 'J.H. Bufford's Sons, Manufacturing Publishers of Novelties in Fine Arts', expanded the firm with offices in New York and Chicago. A possibly related lithographic printing firm named Bufford Chandler was incorporated in Boston in 1893. It later relocated to Concord, New Hampshire but closed in 1925 when its state business charter was repealed. Learn More...
Condition
Very good. Edges reinforced on verso.
References
Neely, M., and Holzer, H., The Union Image: Popular Prints of the Civil War North, page 241.