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The Peninsula, Va. The Staff Of Gen. Fitz-John Porter; Lts. William G. Jones And George A. Custer Reclining (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

The Peninsula, Va. The Staff Of Gen. Fitz-John Porter; Lts. William G. Jones And George A. Custer Reclining (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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The Peninsula, Va. The Staff Of Gen. Fitz-John Porter; Lts. William G. Jones And George A. Custer Reclining (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This black-and-white historical photograph shows Union General Fitz-John Porter and his staff at camp in the spring of 1862, with two of the lieutenants stretched out at ease while the general and the rest of the group stand and sit about them.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is built from greys: a bright white canvas tent with its flaps open, deep charcoal coats and shadows, and softer mid-grey tones across the pale ground. The composition is a group portrait posed in front of the tent, with eight men in military-style coats arranged across the frame. A reclining man sits with a dog, a standing officer rests a hand on his hip, and a man in a wide-brimmed hat stands among the others. Pipes are smoking, and a round wooden bucket and a wicker-covered jug sit among the camp gear. The photograph carries no text beyond the title it was catalogued under.

Meaning & Symbolism

The photograph was taken on the Virginia Peninsula, between the James and York Rivers, while the Union army advanced toward Richmond. It comes before the escalation of the Seven Days Battles, so it records the war at a stage when campaigning still looked like routine camp life. The reclining lieutenants matter most. They loosen the stiff formality of 19th-century portraiture and show the exhaustion and camaraderie of long field service. One of them is George A. Custer, photographed as a young lieutenant long before his cavalry fame, and the picture also preserves Porter's staff at a time when his reputation would later be tied to the controversy at Second Bull Run.

Built for the Morning Cup

A mug is turned in the hand and seen from every side, so this scene of men resting between marches suits an object that is lifted slowly, one sip at a time. Set the lieutenants' easy sprawl against the handle and the tent against the rim, and the photograph becomes a small, personal companion for the first coffee of the day, a gift for anyone who likes their history with a little warmth and a lot of character.

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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.