Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

“too noble a mind”

His was too noble a mind to indulge in a spirit of retaliation or revenge. I think the following might have been published on April 21, 1865. It seems that the editors thought it was still possible that Secretary Seward … Continue reading

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not indispensable

Our great leader is dead, but our “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” From The New-York Times April 17, 1865: The Effect of President Lincoln’s Death on National Affairs. The … Continue reading

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investigations

John Wilkes Booth was identified by a hat and a spur he left behind at the crime scene. From The New-York Times April 16, 1865: THE ASSASSINATION.; Additional Details of the Lamentable Event. WASHINGTON, Saturday, April 15. The assassin of … Continue reading

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“the worst blow the confederacy has yet had”

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: WASHINGTON, April 15 – 11 A.M. At 20 minutes past 7 o’clock the President breathed his last, closing his eyes as if falling asleep, and his countenance assuming an expression of … Continue reading

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vengeance

It was supposed to be a very good Good Friday, at least for the Union. In a celebratory ceremony 150 years ago today Robert Anderson raised the old Union flag from April 1861 over Fort Sumter, which was once again … Continue reading

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grant them “unconditional forgiveness”

A publication in the Finger Lakes area of New York State pleaded for forgiveness and reconciliation for the returning rebels. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1865: The Amnesty. The terms extended to the Confederate officers and … Continue reading

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no rest for the winner

After the April 9th surrender of General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, President Lincoln sure wasn’t looking for any triumphal celebrations or even resting on his laurels. He told a crowd on April 10th he would deliver a speech the … Continue reading

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“a sad peace-offering for us all”

From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapters 66 and 67): The head of Lee’s column came marching up there [near Appomattox Station] on the morning of the 9th, not dreaming, I suppose, that there were any Union soldiers near. … Continue reading

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dropped out at Farmsville

From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapter 66): This [General Lee’s letter of April 7th] was not satisfactory, but I regarded it as deserving another letter and wrote him as follows: April 8, 1865. GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding … Continue reading

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gallant rebels in another ‘sad defeat’

150 years ago today the Union army defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapters 65 and 66): I then started with a few of my staff and a very small … Continue reading

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