The Wasp — 1879 — page 833: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical engraving depicts a tall military officer in uniform surrounded by smaller figures engaged in destructive behavior—smashing, burning, and looting. The title suggests this critiques northern U.S. military conduct, likely during Reconstruction following the Civil War. The central uniformed figure appears to represent northern military authority or leadership. The surrounding caricatured figures—labeled with text including what appears to be references to plunder or corruption—likely represent soldiers or northern carpetbaggers engaging in exploitation and destruction in the South. The satire portrays northern military occupation as characterized by lawlessness and pillaging, presenting destruction as an accepted "custom" under military command. This reflects southern/Democratic opposition to Reconstruction policies and military governance.