Author Archives: SUMPTER

examining greenbacks?

Posted on October 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times October 9, 1863: Arrests for Defrauding the Draft. ROCHESTER, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 8. PETER P. MURPHY, examining Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment at Lockport, has been held to bail in $5,000 for accepting money; and … Continue reading →

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beware protruding lips

Posted on October 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

Richmond was alive with the “never ending sound” of the Confederate government’s stamping presses manufacturing paper currency. But it wasn’t just the government – counterfeiters were a big problem for the CSA. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 7, 1863: … Continue reading →

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the looming winter

Posted on October 7, 2013 by SUMPTER

In the following letter, “O.K.” details scarcity, inflation, and speculation in Lynchburg, Virginia. The correspondent also echoes the Richmond press in his concern about how the poor can possibly cope during the coming winter given the bad economic situation. “O.K.” … Continue reading →

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general review

Posted on October 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times October 6, 1863: Lee’s Report. The specific object of LEE’s Summer invasion of Pennsylvania was a matter of profound mystery and endless speculation at the time; and the mystery is not perfectly cleared up by his … Continue reading →

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stop the misconstruction

Posted on October 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

Last fall New York State elected Democrat Horatio Seymour as governor. Here the Republican-leaning New York Times sees the approaching election for members of the state legislature and for state-wide offices like comptroller as an opportunity for New York to … Continue reading →

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“gracious gifts”

Posted on October 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today President Lincoln proclaimed another day of thanksgiving for 1863. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six: PROCLAMATION FOR THANKSGIVING, OCTOBER 3, 1863. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AMERICA: A Proclamation. The … Continue reading →

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rebel wordplay

Posted on October 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 2, 1863: Chickamauga, or the river of Death. In the spring of 1858, while seeking the benefit of a change of climate and relaxation from laborious duties, I met the late Colonel Whiteside at … Continue reading →

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sans ticker tape

Posted on October 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

Ships from the Russian fleet had been anchored in New York harbor for over a week (and although the ships enjoyed visitors, a “furore” was created when Mrs. Lincoln prematurely visited one of the ships). 150 years ago today a … Continue reading →

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new ironsides

Posted on September 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1863: ENSIGN BENJ. F. PORTER, of the New Ironsides, a young and promising officer, about whose daring courage so much has recently been told, has his home at Skaneateles. It seems … Continue reading →

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beef prices

Posted on September 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

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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