Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

perpetual union still possible

Posted on December 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

In early December 1865 the 39th Congress convened and President Andrew Johnson sent the legislators his first annual message. A newspaper in Gotham was well-satisfied with the President’s report. From The New-York Times December 6, 1865: The President’s Message. Probably … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

no malice, just fact

Posted on November 26, 2015 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times November 26, 1865: THE ANDERSONVILLE PRISON.; A Careful and Accurate Survey of the Place. Nature and Condition of the Surrounding Country.The Military Arrangements for the Care of Prisoners. Fearful Revelations of the Character of Their Treatment.Irresistible … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Civil War prisons, Postbellum Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

negotiating reconstruction?

Posted on November 23, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was reported that the Mississippi legislature would give freedmen the right to testify in court if President Johnson withdrew federal (mostly colored?) troops From The New-York Times November 23, 1865: FROM MISSISSIPPI.; Negroes Allowed to Testify for their Own … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“compelled to inflict on them”

Posted on November 18, 2015 by SUMPTER

This commission is worthy of support, for it will relieve their necessities, and assuage the distress which we, in the course of this war, have been compelled to inflict on them. The American Union Commission held a big fundraiser at … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

suffering Selma

Posted on November 13, 2015 by SUMPTER

The American Union Commission held a big fundraising event in New York City 150 years ago tonight. Many famous men attended or sent in their regrets. Provisional Alabama Governor Lewis E. Parsons gave a first-hand report from the field. Alabama’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

last rebel hanging

Posted on November 10, 2015 by SUMPTER

As a matter of fact, Andersonville commandant Henry Wirz was the only Confederate officer/official executed in the aftermath of the American Civil War. He was hung 150 years ago today outside Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. From The New-York … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

last rebel flag struck

Posted on November 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

On November 5, 1865 the CSS Shenandoah docked at Liverpool in England. 150 years ago today: Lieutenant James I. Waddell surrenders the CSS Shenandoah to British authorities. His is the final Confederate flag struck. After a few days in confinement, … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Naval Matters, Postbellum Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

outside base ball

Posted on October 30, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today the Brooklyn Atlantic base ball club extended its undefeated season down in Philly with what appears to be small ball, lots of small ball. From The New-York Times October 31, 1865: THE GREAT BASE BALL MATCH.; … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Northern Society, Postbellum Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Alexander meets Andrew

Posted on October 20, 2015 by SUMPTER

After being paroled, ex-CSA Vice President Alexander H. Stephens had a rather leisurely trip back to confinement in his home state of Georgia. He had stops in Boston, New York, And Washington D.C. 150 years ago today met with US … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“hermetically sealed” no more?

Posted on October 15, 2015 by SUMPTER

Thanks to Seven Score and Ten, during the Civil War Sesquicentennial I learned about DeBow’s Review, a Southern economic and commercial journal that supported slavery. It advocated secession after Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States. 150 years … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment