Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

out of the scabbard

Posted on February 7, 2015 by SUMPTER

The South should be invincible because it is fighting to defend its own soil, not to mention that that the Army of Northern Virginia “was never stronger, physically and morally, than at this very hour.” The people just need to … Continue reading →

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

review board

Posted on February 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

Many states and localities were dissatisfied with the quotas assigned them under the December 19th call for 300,000 more soldiers. President Lincoln ordered a board to determine fair quotas so the draft could proceed speedily. I do not know if … Continue reading →

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

“the Yankees were moving”

Posted on February 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

As “Lee’s Adjutant”, Walter Taylor, wrote to his girlfriend, 150 years ago today he had to leave church service early because he received word that, groundhog-like, the Union army had aroused itself from winter slumber and was on the move. … Continue reading →

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

pledging allegiance

Posted on February 4, 2015 by SUMPTER

States’ Rights was dying hard in the South, a couple Virginia regiments were still full of fight. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 4, 1865: Saturday morning…February 4, 1865. … Rebellion. Even Lord John Russell confesses his inability to see … Continue reading →

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

making tracks for peace?

Posted on February 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

President Lincoln was going to talk with the rebel peace commissioners. The first leg of his journey was by train. From The New-York Times February 3, 1865: THE PEACE CONFERENCE; MOVEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT. He is Summoned to Fortress M[o]nroe … Continue reading →

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

constitutional amendment

Posted on January 31, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today the United States House of Representatives approved an amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States; the Senate had earlier voted in favor of the proposal. Although three-fourths of the states would have … Continue reading →

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

institutional amendment

Posted on January 30, 2015 by SUMPTER

The long lead Monday morning editorial at the Dispatch discussed a well-known catchphrase during the Civil War and discussed why it was fallacious – in the South. The paper later reported that Southern church leaders warned that slave owners needed … Continue reading →

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

ice blockade

Posted on January 29, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was reported that Mother Nature helped out the rebel cause a bit. Presumably federal government horses and mules were at risk. From The New-York Times January 29, 1865: NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.; MR. BLAIR’S PRIVATE PAPERS. Special Dispatches to the … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Siege of Petersburg | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

pop

Posted on January 28, 2015 by SUMPTER

We seem to hear a lot nowadays about economic bubbles – for example, the housing bubble of recent years. 150 years ago today Gothamites could see the bubble concept applied to any hope of successful peace negotiations between North and … Continue reading →

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

James River battle

Posted on January 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

In January 1865 the Confederate navy on the James River attempted to attack and destroy the Federal supply depot at City Point in order to help lift the siege of Richmond and Petersburg. The Confederate fleet was stopped at the … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Naval Matters, Siege of Petersburg | Tagged , , | Leave a comment