THE CAPTURE OF JEFF. DAVIS [with] SONGS BY DeWOLFE, THE WANDERING POET OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. . . "THE LAST DITCH!" OR, DAVIS, BOOTH AND LEE. [&] THE PRESIDENT WHO WORE HIS WIFE'S PETTICOAT

[Nashua, NH?, 1865. Two broadsides mounted to heavier stock [probably the leaf of a scrapbook]. The first measuring 8" x 4-1/2." The second, 7-7/8" x 4-1/4." Each has woodcut vignettes. Tear to blank upper corner of the first; general wear and dusting to both. Good or so.

The 'Capture' depicts a rider on a galloping horse carrying the "Latest News," with caption, Say, Does He Fancy He Does See / That Horrible 'Sour Apple Tree?'
The second broadside has caricatured woodcuts of DeWolfe, who says, "I have some sour apple trees in my orchard, if you desire one for the purpose of hanging Jeff Davis, don't say I refused you. I have ONE CENT for that song." Two poems, each with an illustration, are printed: "THE LAST DITCH!" and "The President who wore HIS WIFE'S PETTICOAT."
George Gordon Byron DeWolfe [1835-1873], born in Nova Scotia, moved to New Hampshire, as a young man. Traveling the country and writing poetry about his experiences, he was known as the "Wandering Poet of New Hampshire". The speed with which he wrote earned him the nicknames "Steam-Machine Poet" and "Lightning Poet." A few of his poems, in addition to these, were: "Murder! President Lincoln Assassinated"; "Verses composed on the murder of Miss Kate Leehan"; and "Lines for the paroled prisoners lately from Danville." [Chapin, Bela: THE POETS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Claremont, N.H.: 1883, p.489.]
Wolf 247, 1223.