The Draft political cartoon, 1862

This cartoon clipping depicts men attempting to dodge the draft during the Civil War by escaping in hot air balloons. In the foreground, a balloon labeled "Leonidas," with men hanging off of the ropes and basket, hovers over the ground. On the ground, men pull on a rope attached to the bal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Unknown Artist (Creator)
Collection:Historical Society of Pennsylvania cartoons and caricatures collection (#3133)
Date:1862-11-08
Alternate Date:November 8, 1862
Dimensions:14 x 19 cm
Extent:1 clipping
Box Number:Box 1
Folder Number:Folder 28
Format: Electronic
Language:English
Published: Harper & Brothers
Subjects and Genres:
Copyright:Please contact Historical Society of Pennsylvania Rights and Reproductions (rnr@hsp.org)
Online Access:https://digitallibrary.hsp.org/index.php/Detail/objects/11848
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Summary: This cartoon clipping depicts men attempting to dodge the draft during the Civil War by escaping in hot air balloons. In the foreground, a balloon labeled "Leonidas," with men hanging off of the ropes and basket, hovers over the ground. On the ground, men pull on a rope attached to the balloon, perhaps trying to keep it from taking off. One man does a handstand. In the background, a crowd of townspeople watches. More balloons can be seen flying in the distance. The caption reads: "All other Methods of evading the Draft having failed, the above Disgraceful Scheme is to be attempted on the 10th." It is unclear whether this cartoon references a specific event of November 10, 1862 (the cartoon was published in the November 8, 1862, issue of Harper's Weekly), or what the significance of the name "Leonidas" is.