Author Archives: SUMPTER

Springfield speech

150 years ago today a “mass meeting of unconditional Union men” was held in Springfield, Illinois. President Lincoln had been invited to speak at his pre-presidency hometown but couldn’t leave Washington “because Rosecrans had finally begun his long-awaited campaign to … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

just a blip?

150 years ago this week Gothamites could read about the Union prison at Fort Delaware. One of correspondent “C.B.”‘s first impressions was of the stench of “ten thousand idle and dirty men.” The southern prisoners are seen as mostly listless, … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Civil War prisons, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“the most perfect stagnation”

It’s been quiet along the major Eastern front. The Army of Northern Virginia is keeping busy with drills and reviews, the latter attended by women spectators. The soldiers seem to be well-fed and desertions are down, thanks to General Lee’s … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Jeff’s Emancipation Proclamation?

From The New-York Times August 30, 1863: VERY IMPORTANT NEWS.; The Last Rebel Card Played by Jeff. Davis. Call for Five Hundred Thousand Negro Troops. Their Freedom and Fifty Acres of Land Promised to Them. Four Rebel War Vessels Run … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

well corked canteens

150 years ago today folks in Richmond could read about the ingenuity and daring of some Confederate prisoners of war who escaped from Fort Delaware and/or the recently built barracks on Pea Patch Island. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Civil War prisons, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

not so manifest

150 years ago the journalist who coined the concept of Manifest Destiny was in Europe advocating the dissolution of the United States. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 27, 1863: Recognition. –Mr. O’Sullivan, late United States Minister to Portugal, has … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

sigh of relief

A conservative, Democrat paper reprinted an article maintaining that the black troops that fought for the North at Port Hudson were not the super warriors and/or super savages that some initial reports indicated. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

postal peace

It was a short labor stoppage at the Richmond Post Office, where clerks had not had a raise since the war and its rampant inflation began. And our Richmond newspaper still sees a lot of pressure on prices. Even though … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

one not enough?

The following stereograph of Richmond’s Libby Prison was taken 150 years ago today: The Library of Congress also shows the back of the card with its statement of authenticity: You can see a photograph of Libby’s commandant, Thomas P. Turner … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Civil War prisons, Confederate States of America, Southern Society, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

blame game

From The New-York Times August 22, 1863: The War and Its Originators. The difficulties of writing history could hardly be better exemplified than by a comparison of the versions of the origin of the war, given by Mr. DONNELL, the … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Northern Society, Southern Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment