1861 Map of the United States of America, Showing the Boundaries of the Union and Confederate Geographical Divisions and Departments
DESCRIPTION
This detailed and high-quality lithograph map of the United States was issued as part of the Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, one of the most important documentary publications of the Civil War. Published between 1891-95 by the Julius Bein Litho. Co. it depicts the nation as it existed at the outbreak of hostilities, with state boundaries, coastlines, rivers, and major cities carefully rendered. Union territory is outlined in blue and Confederate territory in red, clearly illustrating the political division of the country following secession in late 1861.
The map goes beyond political geography to emphasize military and strategic organization. Railroads, principal roads, navigable waterways, and key topographic features are shown in detail, highlighting the infrastructure that shaped campaigns, logistics, and communication during the war. Military departments and geographical divisions are labeled throughout the country, reflecting the administrative framework used by both Union and Confederate commands. The inclusion of the western states and territories underscores the national scale of the conflict and the federal government’s interest in maintaining control across an expanding continental landscape.
Lithographed by Julius Bien, one of the foremost American lithographers of the nineteenth century, the map exemplifies the high production standards of the Official Records atlas. Created to support the exhaustive compilation of wartime reports, correspondence, and orders, it served as a critical reference for military historians and government officials. Today, the map is valued as an authoritative visual record of the United States at a pivotal moment, combining precise cartography with direct historical relevance to the organization and conduct of the Civil War.
CONDITION
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622