Adjoining Rooms in a Hotel in New York

Rebel terrorism at Christmastime.

This striking pair of contrasting scenes, each taking place in adjacent New York hotel rooms, aims to highlight the stark differences in morality between the conflicting sides of the Civil War. To the left, a ‘Southern Gentlemen’ prepares to commit arson with glee in his eyes and hate in his heart. Opposite, a loving mother adores her four children while overseeing a prayer for their father’s safe return and the forgiveness of their enemies. While the image lacks subtext, it would have been an effective message during the holiday season of 1864, after so many loved ones had been lost and the war was not yet won.

Originally published in the December 17, 1864 edition of Harper’s Weekly.