Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

European vacation

Posted on June 9, 2015 by SUMPTER

The June 7, 1865 issue of The New-York Times devoted two-thirds of its front page to publicizing steamship lines that offered Americans pleasant postbellum getaways: The Way to Europe. Enterprise and Prosperity of the Transatlantic Steamship Companies. Great Ferries Across … Continue reading →

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“dislocating his already swollen wrist”

Posted on June 8, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday Gotham “was in a blaze of excitement” – Lieutenant-General Grant was in town! (and by the way there was a monster meeting at the Cooper Institute to show support for President Johnson and his administration; the … Continue reading →

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southern social war?

Posted on June 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

The National Government “has freed the four millions of slaves by its own deliberate acts, and it is bound to take care that this freedom shall benefit, and not injure them.” – hopefully with the support of the state governments … Continue reading →

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how big the burden?

Posted on June 4, 2015 by SUMPTER

The June 4, 1865 issue of The New-York Times headlined the huge national debt that Secretary of the Treasury Hugh McCulloch reported. The following article (which we know was published sometime in May) argued that the burden of a nation’s … Continue reading →

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General Grant agrees

Posted on June 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday General Grant issued a congratulatory order to the troops. He zeroed in on slavery as the “the cause and pretext of the rebellion.” From The New-York Times June 5, 1865: THE LIEUT.-GENERAL TO OUR ARMIES.; Grant … Continue reading →

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“perhaps necessary that we should pass through this last ordeal”

Posted on June 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

Things are thankfully winding down here but wanted to mention that 150 years ago today I could have read all about the June 1st Day of Humiliation and Prayer called by President Johnson for the purpose of mourning the assassination … Continue reading →

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last step in Connecticut?

Posted on May 29, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the May 29, 1865 issue of The Chicago Times. (at the Library of Congress): The legislature of Connecticut, now in session, has before it a proposition to amend the state constitution so as to give the right of voting … Continue reading →

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Loyalty in New York

Posted on May 27, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: What New York has Done. What New York has done in contributions of men and money to sustain the cause of the Union has never been fully and fairly stated. The … Continue reading →

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free to vote?

Posted on May 25, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today President Johnson reportedly opined that the question of whether blacks should be allowed to vote in the South should be decided by loyal whites in the South. From The New-York Times May 26, 1865: The President … Continue reading →

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furlough!

Posted on May 25, 2015 by SUMPTER

Congratulations to Allen Gathman at Seven Score and Ten for over 1750 consecutive daily posts and for a very well-deserved vacation! Thanks to his example and support I found a niche and got somewhat close to filling it – most … Continue reading →

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