Author Archives: SUMPTER

Stamp Tax

Posted on April 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

One of the ways the Revenue Act of 1862 provided funds to pay for the Civil War was by various excise and stamp taxes. Here a Richmond newspaper reports on the revenue headed to the U.S. Treasury on the death … Continue reading →

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” some ugly pock marks”

Posted on April 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

Not exactly the Union objective 150 years ago yesterday a federal fleet commanded by Samuel F. Du Pont tried to take a first step toward capturing Charleston, South Carolina by attacking Fort Sumter. The attack was unsuccessful. From The New-York … Continue reading →

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A Benevolent Union in Richmond?

Posted on April 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

Five days after the Richmond Bread Riot the following report was published in the Richmond Daily Dispatch of April 7, 1863: Relief for the poor. –For the purpose of relieving the wants and necessities of the wives and families of … Continue reading →

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Poles are to Russia …

Posted on April 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

… like Southerners are to the United States A Richmond editorial ridiculed Yankee vanity and found common cause with Polish rebels fighting Russian despotism. European recognition and/or intervention is pretty much a lost cause. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April … Continue reading →

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Abundant Virginia

Posted on April 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

Scarcity in the army only due to transportation issues and poorly executed impressments Two days after the Richmond Bread Riot(squelched by the press to conform to the Secretary of Defense’s wishes) a Richmond paper reproduced an editorial squelching the rumor … Continue reading →

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supply side Sleight of hand

Posted on April 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

“Supply and Demand” an “old standard” James Seddon, the Confederate Secretary of War pleaded with newspapers not to publish accounts of the April 2, 1863 Richmond Bread Riot. Nevertheless, 150 years ago today a Richmond paper was able to continue … Continue reading →

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Let them read papers

Posted on April 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 2, 1863: Give your child a Newspaper. –A child beginning to read becomes delighted with a newspapers, because he reads of names and things which are very familiar, and will make progress accordingly. A … Continue reading →

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DC Union meeting

Posted on April 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday a big Union rally was held in the federal Capitol. Andrew Johnson made an impassioned speech with President Lincoln looking on. Green Adams, a native of the president’s old home of Kentucky, agreed that the Administration … Continue reading →

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Hold Fast

Posted on March 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six, by Abraham Lincoln at Project Gutenberg PROCLAMATION APPOINTING A NATIONAL FAST-DAY. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A Proclamation. March 30, 1863. Whereas the Senate of the United … Continue reading →

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Anticipation

Posted on March 29, 2013 by SUMPTER

More soldiers from the New York 33d Voluntary Infantry visited visited home 150 years ago, only two or three months before their two year commitment would be completed. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1863: LIEUT. PRICE … Continue reading →

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