An illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper of 'The Forlorn Hope', which is a group of soldiers selected to take the vanguard in a military operation where the risk of casualty is very high.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper ran from 1855 until 1922 and covered American politics. It was later renamed to be Leslie's Weekly, and is considered to be the first successful pictorial newspaper in the United States.

Artist: Henri Lovie

Year: 1862

Condition: Fair; please note restoration efforts along edges of page, slight discoloration, and fold lines.

This poster is linen-backed on canvas. Email us at postermuseum@gmail.com for more details.

Full caption under image reads:

"We illustrate one of those numerous acts of daring which have raised the character of the Federal soldier to the highest position in the military world. When the fire of the enemy from the rifle pits on the south side of the Rappahannock became so deadly that the pontoniers could not carry on their work, General Burnside called for 100 volunteers to cross and dislodge, at the bayonet’s point, the concealed sharpshooters. Thousands sprang forward, but only the number required was chosen. These consisted of men from the Seventh Michigan and Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiments. With the utmost alacrity this gallant ‘forlorn hope’ sprang into the boats, and, on reaching the other side, drove the Confederates from their posts at the point of the bayonet, capturing 39 prisoners. Only one man was killed and give wounded in this desperate duty. The bridge was soon finished, and a sufficient force passed over to hold the town."