Skip to product information
1 of 7

A Dead Rebel Soldier, As He Lay In The Trenches Of Fort Mahone, Called By The Soldiers, Fort Damnation ... (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

A Dead Rebel Soldier, As He Lay In The Trenches Of Fort Mahone, Called By The Soldiers, Fort Damnation ... (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

A Dead Rebel Soldier, As He Lay In The Trenches Of Fort Mahone, Called By The Soldiers, Fort Damnation ... (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a somber 1865 photograph of a fallen soldier lying in the trenches of Fort Mahone, taken by Thomas C. Roche and shown here as a stereograph card pair.

Visual Elements & Composition

Sepia tan fills most of the frame, with mustard yellow, dark brown and deep black carrying the rest. The soldier lies low in the trench, with rifles scattered on the ground beside him and a fallen log running through the scene. The printed card is framed by a yellow side mount, and the words THE WAR FOR THE UNION and PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY sit on the card like a museum label, pinning the picture to its moment.

Meaning & Symbolism

The photograph records the aftermath of the Union breakthrough at Petersburg, Virginia, taken the morning after April 2, 1865. The soldier was a Confederate, and some records describe him as a young boy. Fort Mahone earned its nickname, "Fort Damnation," from the soldiers who fought over it, and the picture makes that name feel earned. Roche is the photographer of record, though the image is occasionally attributed to Mathew Brady. Its power comes from its plainness: no staging, no heroics, only the human cost of the siege, laid out as evidence.

Turning the Story in Your Hand

A stereograph was built to be looked at closely, two near-identical views fused into one three-dimensional scene. A mug works the same way. You cradle it, turn it, and the scene reveals itself a little at a time, the way a stereo viewer once drew a battlefield toward your eye. Over the morning coffee, this is a quiet, sober way to keep a difficult moment of history within reach.

Size

Bulk Discounts Available

These discounts apply to all products.

Buy 2
10% OFF
Buy 3+
20% OFF
Buy 5+
30% OFF
Buy 10+
40% OFF

Automatically applied at checkout.

View full details

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.