Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

live free or riot

Posted on October 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the October 11, 1863 issue of The New-York Times: Draft Riot in New-Hampshire. ATTEMPT TO BURN A DRAFT OFFICER. GREAT FALLS, N.H., Saturday, Oct. 10. A mob at Jackson in this State, on Thursday night, burned the hotel where … Continue reading →

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job security

Posted on October 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

According to a chart published in the October 5, 2013 issue of The Economist, 80% of the U.S. Treasury workforce was furloughed during the government shutdown in 2013. However, “Money printers/engravers” were kept hard at it. We sure can relate … Continue reading →

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examining greenbacks?

Posted on October 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times October 9, 1863: Arrests for Defrauding the Draft. ROCHESTER, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 8. PETER P. MURPHY, examining Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment at Lockport, has been held to bail in $5,000 for accepting money; and … Continue reading →

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beware protruding lips

Posted on October 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

Richmond was alive with the “never ending sound” of the Confederate government’s stamping presses manufacturing paper currency. But it wasn’t just the government – counterfeiters were a big problem for the CSA. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 7, 1863: … Continue reading →

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the looming winter

Posted on October 7, 2013 by SUMPTER

In the following letter, “O.K.” details scarcity, inflation, and speculation in Lynchburg, Virginia. The correspondent also echoes the Richmond press in his concern about how the poor can possibly cope during the coming winter given the bad economic situation. “O.K.” … Continue reading →

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general review

Posted on October 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times October 6, 1863: Lee’s Report. The specific object of LEE’s Summer invasion of Pennsylvania was a matter of profound mystery and endless speculation at the time; and the mystery is not perfectly cleared up by his … Continue reading →

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stop the misconstruction

Posted on October 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

Last fall New York State elected Democrat Horatio Seymour as governor. Here the Republican-leaning New York Times sees the approaching election for members of the state legislature and for state-wide offices like comptroller as an opportunity for New York to … Continue reading →

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“gracious gifts”

Posted on October 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today President Lincoln proclaimed another day of thanksgiving for 1863. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six: PROCLAMATION FOR THANKSGIVING, OCTOBER 3, 1863. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AMERICA: A Proclamation. The … Continue reading →

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rebel wordplay

Posted on October 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 2, 1863: Chickamauga, or the river of Death. In the spring of 1858, while seeking the benefit of a change of climate and relaxation from laborious duties, I met the late Colonel Whiteside at … Continue reading →

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sans ticker tape

Posted on October 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

Ships from the Russian fleet had been anchored in New York harbor for over a week (and although the ships enjoyed visitors, a “furore” was created when Mrs. Lincoln prematurely visited one of the ships). 150 years ago today a … Continue reading →

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