Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

egg-shell election

In July 1864 a Democrat-leaning newspaper in New York State asserted: There is no doubt but that the South is anxious for peace, – they proclaim it and declare themselves willing at all times to enter into negotiations, looking to … Continue reading

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young colonel killed

at Peachtree Creek From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in August 1864: COLONEL KILLED. – Col. W. L. Logie, of Geneva, was killed at the late battle in front of Atlanta. He commanded the 141st N.Y. Volunteers. THE EIGHTH … Continue reading

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dull day

Since there were over 1460 of them, I guess you had to expect a boring one once in a while. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 5, 1864: The War News. There was nothing at all of interest transpiring yesterday … Continue reading

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blackberry brandy

a “sovereign balm” Diarrhea/dysentery was one of the major killing diseases for Civil War soldiers . 150 years ago this week New Yorkers were urged to contribute whatever blackberry products they could to help hospitals fight the sickness. From The … Continue reading

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“literally strewn with dead negroes”

The negroes fought quite well to-day, and charged, crying, “No quarter — remember Fort Pillow.” It appears that 150 years ago today Richmond had more up-to-date information about the Battle of the Crater than New York. From the Richmond Daily … Continue reading

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big demand

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 30, 1864: A Valuable work. –We acknowledge the receipt from Messrs. Evans & Cogswell, publishers, of Columbia, S. C., of an exceedingly well executed copy of a work entitled “A Manual of Military Surgery, … Continue reading

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retaliation, reprisals

150 years ago today a rebel force burned much of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Here’s the intro from an article at the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission: On July 30, 1864, Confederate troops entered the south central Pennsylvania town of Chambersburg. Their … Continue reading

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pardon from the pres

Here’s a bit more about the New York First Veteran Cavalry from 150 years ago today. The commander-in-chief telegraphed Colonel Platner. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: TO COLONEL, FIRST N. Y. VETERAN CAVALRY. EXECUTIVE MANSION, … Continue reading

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bureaucratic nightmare

Wages in DC for lower level federal clerks weren’t keeping up with prices. The civil servants were heading home. From The New-York Times July 24, 1864: NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.; HIGH PRICES AND THE CLERKS. … Special Dispatches to the New-York … Continue reading

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“undermining Petersburg”

A Southern correspondent reported that Grant was going to be leaving Petersburg any time soon; if he dug tunnels for mines at Vicksburg, you could expect the same in his latest siege. Price controls were making it impossible for First … Continue reading

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