Author Archives: SUMPTER

Stop the presses!

150 years ago today recuperating Union soldiers left their hospital in Keokuk, Iowa to destroy the presses of the Keokuk Constitution. The soldiers were angry about what they considered treasonous editorials in the newspaper. From The New-York Times February 21, … Continue reading

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“a shape more terrible”

150 years ago today a Southern editorial realized the war was far from over. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 18, 1863: A long War. The correspondence between Seward and Dayton — of which we gave an abstract yesterday — … Continue reading

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Gunboat Diplomacy

Civil War Daily Gazette published an excellent account of the naval action off Charleston harbor on January 31, 1863. Two Confederate rams disabled a couple Union blockading ships. The Gazette pointed out that the Confederacy asserted that the action broke … Continue reading

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Campaign Literature

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 13, 1863: To the Voters of Virginia. –Fellow-citizens: Having been requested by many of you to become a candidate for the office of Governor at the regular election in May next, I respectfully announce … Continue reading

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‘then comes marriage’

This imaged was published in the April 4, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly. You can view Alfred R. Waud’s picture full-size and read his accompanying description of the wedding at Son of the South: Few persons are wedded under more … Continue reading

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Fan Mail

The Ladies’ Aid Society in Canandaigua, New York began 1863 by attending a P. T. Barnum lecture and by writing an adoring letter to the deposed General George B. McClellan. From Village Life in America 1852-1872 by Caroline Cowles Richards … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Mr. Perseverance

150 years ago today Abraham Lincoln completed 54 earthly years. Nowadays his brief bio is used as an inspirational piece – the story of a person who sort of failed his way to the top. He definitely kept on learning … Continue reading

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Congressman Stonewall Jackson?

From Indiana??? From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 10, 1863: Stonewall Jackson’s Popularity. A few days since a lady who came through the lines at Fredericksburg under flag of truce, brought a message from Hon. D. W. Voorhees, of Indiana, … Continue reading

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Pressman Promoted

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper on February 7, 1863: Promoted. We are pleased to learn that GEORGE A. SHERMAN, formerly foreman in this office, who volunteered last summer as a private in Company K, 126th Regiment, has been … Continue reading

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Can’t win for orating

A different manifest destiny: “America, like the Old World, is to be settled by many nations.” Clement Vallandigham and his fellow Peace Democrats were criticized in much of the North for being de facto agents of disunion, because the South … Continue reading

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