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Yorktown, Va. Confederate Fortifications Reinforced With Bales Of Cotton (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Yorktown, Va. Confederate Fortifications Reinforced With Bales Of Cotton (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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Yorktown, Va. Confederate Fortifications Reinforced With Bales Of Cotton (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This black-and-white image records Confederate defenses at Yorktown, Virginia, where stacked cotton bales have been pressed into service as part of the earthworks.

Visual Elements & Composition

The frame is a wide, horizontal view built around an earthen parapet that runs across the middle of the picture. Soldiers in uniform gather around a cannon that has been dismounted from its wooden carriage, and stacked cannonballs sit nearby beside a sandbag and log wall. Light grey and pale sky tones take up most of the image, with dark grey and charcoal anchoring the figures and the shadowed ground. Scattered clothing and shoes lie in the foreground, and the numeral 2369 is visible in the scene.

Meaning & Symbolism

The photograph belongs to the 1860s and was made in the wet-plate tradition, so it reads as a documentary record rather than an interpretation. The cotton bales show the fortifications being built from what the region had to hand, tying the crop that defined the local economy to the logistics of war. Yorktown was a key defensive position during the Civil War, and the scene captures the improvised engineering the period demanded, along with the debris and disorder that followed.

Built for the Hand, Made for the Morning

A mug is turned slowly in the hand, so the scene wraps around the cup and unfolds as you rotate it, parapet to cannon to scattered shoes. It makes a sharp conversation piece for a history buff who likes their first coffee with a side of the Civil War.

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.