Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

new year’s lottery

Posted on January 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

A Richmond editorial maintained that the South would always enjoy a “superabundance of bread and meat.” Apparently that superabundance wasn’t always making it to the front. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 6, 1865: The soldiers’ New-year’s dinner. Camp first … Continue reading →

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ways out

Posted on January 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

01/06/2015: I made a big mistake. The articles from the Dispatch I reprinted below were actually from the January 5, 1864 issue. I’m a year late with this news. I’m sorry. “It will be difficult to get the world to … Continue reading →

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namesakes

Posted on January 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

A Richmond newspaper can’t believe that free blacks would name their sons after Abraham Lincoln. It would make a lot more sense to name the children after the biblical Abraham. Unlike the “Washington Abraham” the biblical patriarch was a gentleman, … Continue reading →

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nutshell happiness

Posted on January 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Richmond Dispatch still observed the Christian Sabbath back in 1864, so its January 2nd issue looked back on 1864 and ahead to 1865. The defiance seems muted in this Monday morning editorial as the writer could not even wish … Continue reading →

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the Butler did it

Posted on December 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently, even Union Secretary of War Stanton had to rely on Confederate newspapers for his first report to General Dix regarding the failed attack on Fort Fisher. From The New-York Times December 29, 1864: WILMINGTON.; THE ATTACK ON FORT FISHER. … Continue reading →

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right to privacy?

Posted on December 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

The Civil War was hugely expensive for the federal government, and various tax schemes were imposed to generate the necessary revenue, including an income tax. Here Gotham’s Times was concerned that tax assessors did not keep citizens’ incomes secret: “We … Continue reading →

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it’s the rebel armies, stupid

Posted on December 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat publication looked at the undoubted brilliance of General Sherman’s campaign through Georgia – and found the Lincoln administration wanting. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: The Capture of Savannah. The War Department received dispatches … Continue reading →

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boxing day thanks

Posted on December 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

In didn’t take President Lincoln long to get to his Christmas thank you notes in 1864. Of course, when someone gives you an entire city, it’s probably not a bad idea to make sure you show your gratitude. From The … Continue reading →

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dinner plans changed

Posted on December 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

Two big war events 150 years ago this week were the capture of Savannah and the attempt to capture Fort Fisher. It took a while for the news to make its way up to upstate New York. Here’s an article … Continue reading →

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‘vacant chair’ Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 24, 1864: Saturday morning….December 24, 1864. Christmas. Christmas has come again, and though shorn of some of its old accessories of feasts and frolics, it is Christmas still in all that constitutes its essential … Continue reading →

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