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A Dead Rebel Soldier, As He Lay In The Trenches Of Fort Hell (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

A Dead Rebel Soldier, As He Lay In The Trenches Of Fort Hell (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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A Dead Rebel Soldier, As He Lay In The Trenches Of Fort Hell (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a sepia photographic view of a Confederate soldier lying face down in a trench at Fort Hell, taken in the aftermath of the fighting at Petersburg, Virginia.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is a sepia albumen stereoview, and sepia brown fills most of the frame. The soldier's body runs across the lower field, pressed into the earthen embankment of the trench, while the pale earth tones of the ground and a cream highlight sit around him. The photograph is set in a rectangular card with an ochre mount, and the surrounding dark umber gives the scene its heavy, shadowed edge. The printed caption reads "A Dead Rebel Soldier, as he lay in the Trenches of 'Fort Hell,'" and beneath it, "This View was taken the morning after the storming of Petersburgh, Va., April 2d." The composition is plain and documentary, with nothing arranged for effect.

Meaning & Symbolism

The figure of the dead soldier stands for the cost of the war, turning casualty numbers into one man left where he fell. The trench itself marks the shift to siege warfare at Petersburg, where troops were held in fortified lines under constant artillery fire. Published in 1865 by E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. as part of the Photographic History of the War for the Union, the stereoview belongs to the body of wartime documentation associated with photographers such as Alexander Gardner and Mathew Brady. It records the battle's aftermath rather than its glory.

On the Black Coffee Mug

A stereoview is built to be held close and examined slowly, and a mug works the same way. It is turned in the hand and read from the handle around to the front, so the scene is seen a little at a time, in the same quiet, close-up manner as the original card. Wrapped around that curve, the trench and its soldier become something to pick up and look at during a quiet morning, which is exactly the kind of moment this photograph was made to hold.

Size

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Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.