Tag Archives: food scarcity

hungry, very hungry

It is written that 150 years ago today, To alleviate near-starvation among his troops, General Thomas L. Rosser leads 300 Confederate cavalry from Staunton, West Virginia, on a raid against well-stocked Union encampments at Beverly. To accomplish this, the Southerners … Continue reading

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new year’s lottery

A Richmond editorial maintained that the South would always enjoy a “superabundance of bread and meat.” Apparently that superabundance wasn’t always making it to the front. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 6, 1865: The soldiers’ New-year’s dinner. Camp first … Continue reading

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YMCA appeal

Not enough work and/or supplies for all the refugees On June 25th the Richmond Dispatch editors alluded to the city’s increased population. The following appeal is more evidence of overcrowding. Since there were destitute refugees from all over the Confederacy … Continue reading

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foreign analogies

The Richmond Dispatch often looked at different countries and different eras for examples to fire up its readership in the South’s struggle for independence. Here the editors looked across the Atlantic for commentary on who would be selected as the … Continue reading

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bacon savings

From the Richmond Richmond Daily Dispatch February 3, 1864: A Model company. –How many corporations will seek and endeavor to get letters like that given below? Such an autograph from Gen. Johnston would be a valuable addition to any dividend … Continue reading

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big squeeze at the meat market

Hey, civilians have to eat, too From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 6, 1864: The meat Market, in 17th street, was the scene of no little excitement yesterday morning, caused by the appearance of a C. S. officer, who purchased … Continue reading

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that European diet

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch November 10, 1863: Eat Press [Less] meat. –The great scarcity of meats of all kinds in this Confederacy renders it absolutely necessary that all classes should be exceedingly economical in its use, in order to … Continue reading

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beef prices

It’s been almost six months since the Richmond Bread Riot, but scarcity and inflation are still making life difficult in Richmond. Here a group of butchers are willing to comply with a government request that they regulate their beef prices … Continue reading

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granular analysis

In a message to the state legislature South Carolina governor Milledge Luke Bonham identified several reasons for food shortages in his state: the law prohibiting liquor production was not being obeyed or enforced; the law limiting cotton production to three … Continue reading

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Our barns should be bulging

Hope springs eternal? Food was scarce throughout the Confederacy in the spring of 1863. “In a dozen or more cities and hamlets from Richmond to Mobile, desperate women raided shops or supply depots for food.” A week after the Richmond … Continue reading

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