Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

Colonizing Florida?

Posted on December 8, 2011 by SUMPTER

OBSERVER, a correspondent for The New-York Times thinks the Lincoln administration’s plans to colonize freed slaves would work better if the colony was in the rebel states – preferably Florida. From The New-York Times December 8, 1861: VIEWS FROM THE … Continue reading →

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Slaves’ “cat-like clinging” to Their Quarters

Posted on December 7, 2011 by SUMPTER

Since the Battle of Port Royal Union forces have been sort of making themselves at home along the South Carolina coast. The following article mentions some “reconnoissances”, one of which went as far south as Tybee Island near Savannah, Georgia. … Continue reading →

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Would-be Western Settlers Now Soldiers

Posted on December 6, 2011 by SUMPTER

And the Income to Buy Public Land Is Drying Up Anyway 150 years ago federal Cabinet departments had been submitting their annual reports to the president. The report of Caleb Blood Smith, the Secretary of the Interior, shows that the … Continue reading →

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“an asylum for broken down gentlemen”?

Posted on December 5, 2011 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today the Richmond Daily Dispatch reprinted an article about the conditions at Fort Warren in Boston harbor. The fort was being used to house captured Confederate troops and political prisoners. As Civil War Daily Gazette recently reported … Continue reading →

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Letter from Charleston

Posted on December 3, 2011 by SUMPTER

I’m not sure how factual this letter is, but I thought it was an interesting read, especially the two insurrectionist slaves burned to death and the southern unionist who was locked up for his beliefs and basically neglected to death. … Continue reading →

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Goad on the James

Posted on December 2, 2011 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Confederate Navy Commander John Randolph Tucker of the CSA’s James River Squadron moved the CSS Patrick Henry down the river and skirmished long range with U.S. ships off Newport News. The Patrick Henry inflicted minor damage. … Continue reading →

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But “An Army Marches On Its Stomach”

Posted on December 1, 2011 by SUMPTER

Impressing Slaves, Wagons, and Teams for Rebel Army Means Smaller Wheat Crop From The New-York Times December 1, 1861: GRIEVANCE. The Richmond Whig complains bitterly of the grievance suffered by the farming community from the impressment of negroes, and wagons … Continue reading →

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Rooting Out Fugitives in Camp?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by SUMPTER

Even Democrats Want to Leave Fugitive Slaves Alone From The New-York Times November 30, 1861: Slave-Catching in the Army. MARYLAND, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1861. To the Editor of the New-York Times: The following document was read at our evening regimental … Continue reading →

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Southern Patriotism: King Cotton on the Pyre

Posted on November 29, 2011 by SUMPTER

Since the Battle of Port Royal Union troops have been stationed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina. Some planters started burning their cotton to prevent it falling into Union hands. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch November 29, 1861: The … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving

Posted on November 28, 2011 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today most northern states celebrated Thanksgiving. From glancing through The New-York Times it seems that there was sadness for the absence of soldiers through death or away still serving in the one of the many “seats of … Continue reading →

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