Author Archives: admin

a patriotic peace

This year I’m reading a book published in 1945. In this morning’s selection author Daniel Russell wondered if war was ever worth it. World War I showed that “[t]here is small place for flags and bugles.” He reviewed the horrors … Continue reading

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still knitting

In its January 20, 1918 Picture Section The New-York Times included a photo of a former supporter of the Confederacy. The paper seemed to view Sarah Eggleston with some admiration as she knitted sock after sock for America’s British allies. … Continue reading

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war musing

war orphan glee club road crew All the images were published in the September 16, 1917 issue of The New-York Times and can be found at the Library of Congress This past Sunday afternoon I was in a reverie, a … Continue reading

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America still shackled …

… by a whole lot of debt A British publication related the American Civil War debt to the “the safety and expediency of democratic rule.” – especially given a democracy’s aversion to free trade. From The New-York Times May 8, … Continue reading

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gallant rebels in another ‘sad defeat’

150 years ago today the Union army defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapters 65 and 66): I then started with a few of my staff and a very small … Continue reading

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“Our army is ruined, I fear”

From The New-York Times April 7, 1865: THE REBEL ROUT.; Lee’s Retreat Cut off by Sheridan. BURKESVILLE IN OUR POSSESSION Lee’s Army at Amelia Court House, East of Burkesville. A Junction Between Lee’s Forces and Johnston’s Now Impossible. Sheridan Hopes … Continue reading

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street car experiment

It looks like early in 1865 a Philadelphia company tried to voluntarily desegregate its street cars. Not enough white folks were buying it – or tickets. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 17, 1865: The negroes not to ride in … Continue reading

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American intrepidity

and pertinacity Here are some examples of Northern newspaper reaction to the Union capture of Fort Fisher. A local paper in upstate New York thought the price was way too high if the port of Wilmington was not totally sealed … Continue reading

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crucible

A southern editorial on how war reveals a person’s true character. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 19, 1864: Demoralization. We hear a great deal about the demoralizing effects of the war in the United States and in the Confederacy. … Continue reading

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winter break

Apparently Old Man Winter put a crimp in old man Sumpter’s plans today.

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