Outstanding original Civil War illustration in ink and ink wash, entitled 'The Garrison Leaving Sumter, April 14th 1861' and providing a somber depiction of the evacuation of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor following the Confederate bombardment of that position, the opening action of the Civil War, on April 12, 1861. The 7 .25 x 5.5 in. painting is mounted to 10.5 x 7.75 cardboard mount. It shows the garrison marching out of the fort amid the rubble and ruin of the attack, led by drummers and fifers, as officers look on. The illustration was executed by noted Civil War illustrator THEODORE RUSSELL DAVIS (1840-1894), with his minute artist's monogram at bottom left. The illustration was almost certainly executed for 'Harper's Weekly', for whom Davis worked as a staff artist, and the image is affixed to a publisher's mount, with the title inscribed in ink beneath the piece at left. A highly atmospheric image, immediately evocative of the somber tone of this crushing Union defeat. Corners of the mount have creases and small chips, else fine condition and a beautiful piece for framing. Ex: Sotheby's and Doyle Galleries.