Alexandria Library -- Special Collections -- Document of the Month -- August 2007

“Virginia in the Revolution” by John Esten Cooke
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume LIII
June to November 1876

A century after the colonies fought for their freedom from Great Britain’s leadership, Harper’s Magazine published this article, complete with illustrations, to commemorate Virginia’s role in the American Revolution. “Virginia in the Revolution” by John Esten Cooke, a former Confederate Captain and historian, outlines the significant events of this critical time in United States and Virginia history. It also presents a profile of Virginia life during this tumultuous time. The illustrations below portray pivotal moments and influential people in the American Revolution.

Give me liberty or give me death! -- These words, spoken by Patrick Henry to the House of Burgesses in March of 1775, led to Virginia’s significant role in the American Revolution. Although the Revolution had already begun, Virginia had not yet joined in the war. It was Henry’s words that provoked Virginians to take an active role in this fight for individual rights and freedoms.

The illustrations below portray three Virginians that were leading figures in the American Revolution: Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.

John Esten Cooke posed the following question: “What was the character of the society from which issued the great protest in favor of human freedom, and from which sprung in turn Henry the tongue, Jefferson the pen, and Washington the sword of the Revolution?”

Patrick Henry, the Tongue – his profound words and passionate speech encouraged people to consider the rights of individuals to be free. He is most well-known for his statement, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" as illustrated on page 10.

Thomas Jefferson, the Pen – his written words were so profound that he was
chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's impact is highlighted in the paragraphs beginning on page 11.

George Washington, the Sword – the American Revolution was fought and won under his leadership. The accounts of the war and Washington’s role are discussed beginning with page 12.

The first issue of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine was published in June 1850 by the firm Harper & Brothers. It was not long before Harper’s Magazine became a forum for artists and writers to express their views on political, economic, and social issues. This monthly magazine is still in publication today. Past articles are available online. Click here to go to the Harper’s Magazine archives and view the entire featured article by John Esten Cooke.

John Esten Cooke was born in 1830 and died in 1886. He was a confederate Captain and a brilliant writer. He was an authority on Virginia history and wrote extensively on the subject. The library’s collection consists of many works by Cooke, including: Stonewall Jackson: a Military Biography, Stonewall Jackson and the Old Stonewall Brigade, Robert E. Lee, The life of Robert E. Lee, Virginia: a History of the People, Stories of the Old Dominion: from the Settlement to the End of the Revolution, and many others.

Holton, Woody. Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves & the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia. Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1999.
Selby, John E. The Revolution in Virginia: 1775-1783. Virginia: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1988.
McCants, David A. Patrick Henry, the Orator. Greenwood Press, 1990.
Nauenschwander, John A. The Middle Colonies and the Coming of the American Revolution. New York and London: National University Publications, Kennikat Press, 1973.
Crow, Jeffrey J. and Tise, Larry E. The Southern Experience in the American Revolution. Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press, 1978.
Washington, George. The Papers of George Washington. Virginia: The University Press of Virginia. [Multiple Volumes]
Jefferson, Thomas. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Princeton: Princeton University. [Multiple Volumes]

Alexandria Library -- Special Collections Document of the Month August 2007

Alexandria Library -- Special Collections
Document of the Month
August 2007