The old Union wagon - Lithograph, public domain, Library of Congress

An ambivalent but essentially pro-Lincoln illustration appearing on a song by John Hogarth Lozier, dedicated to the composer's "Comrades the 37th Indiana Regiment and all who love Our Brave Soldier Boys." Lincoln drives the Union wagon, whose rickety frame consists of a boat "Constitution" mounted on four wheels. Pulled by horses named after leading Union generals, including Benjamin F. Butler, Ulysses S. Grant, William S. Rosencrans ("Rosie"), and Joseph Hooker, it is crowded with people. One of the riders holds an American flag while another seems to be falling over the side of the wagon. The vehicle has gotten mired in the mud hole of Secession, where several figures are floundering. Uncle Sam attempts to extricate the stuck back wheel using a large pole "Emancipation Proclamation" as a lever, whose fulcrum is a rock marked "1863." Sam's efforts and the wagon's progress are also threatened by several snakes at right. These probably represent the anti-Republican Copperheads who advocated reconciliation with the South. Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in January 1863, the print may have appeared as late as 1864. It was not until March 1864 that Grant was given supreme command of the Union army.
Cincinnati. Published by J. Church. Jr. . . . Boston. O. Ditson & Co. Philadelphia. Lee & Walker. New York. W. A. Pond & Co.
Middleton, Strobridge & Co. lith. Cincinnati Ohio.
Title appears as it is written on the item.
Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1863-15.