Euromarket

The Albany Argus claimed that the Lincoln Administration was under-reporting Union casualties for the “European market.” Meanwhile, a more pro-Administration publication was still concerned about some type of European intervention in the war, especially with France and Maximilian in Mexico.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864:

Our Losses in the Late Battles.

The Washington Chronicle places the number of our killed, wounded and prisoners up to Monday night at forty-five thousand. The N.Y. Tribune of the 12th, places the number at forty thousand, including our losses on Tuesday. There has been terrible fighting since then, and at this rate our loses are probably not less than fifty thousand. The official bulletins, however have commenced cutting down the statement of our losses. This intended for the European market. – Argus.

From the May 14, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South:

THE SITUATION.

THE summer opens upon a situation which is every where most interesting. In Europe the question of general war will be virtually decided by the success of our campaigns. Europe is undoubtedly ripe for revolution. …

France, meanwhile, crosses the sea, and enthrones herself in Mexico in the person of MAXIMILIAN. When she is once there, and has ascertained that we do not assent to the Mexican conquest and subjugation, she will be ready, directly or indirectly, to become a party to our war. The assent of the Governments of Europe to French participation in our affairs will be based upon their natural and earnest wish that a popular Government may conspicuously fail; for our success would be an inspiration to the people of Europe too threatening to be calmly contemplated by the aristocratic class. On the other hand, any European interference in our war would be the signal for the rising of the people all over the European Continent.

Thus every where the most momentous movements undoubtedly depend upon the issue of our campaigns ; and by a curious fortune General GRANT has become a pivotal man. Yet in any case there is for us no cause of profound apprehension. If he fails, and France in any way interferes, even with the tacit assent of the great Powers, the people of the free States will rise as they have not yet risen. What France did in her old Revolution, namely, maintain herself against domestic intrigue and foreign combination upon contiguous soil, that the United States are perfectly capable of surpassing. Every European State will suddenly bristle with our friends and allies. On the other hand, if GRANT succeeds, LOUIS NAPOLEON will bow himself out of Mexico as soon as possible.

In all these speculations upon contingencies and possibilities the true ground of faith in the issue lies, for a loyal American citizen, in the good sense of the people. …

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The following drawing by Edwin Forbes is dated May 14, 1864:

“Spotsylvania C[ourt] H[ouse], Va.”