Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

beef prices

It’s been almost six months since the Richmond Bread Riot, but scarcity and inflation are still making life difficult in Richmond. Here a group of butchers are willing to comply with a government request that they regulate their beef prices … Continue reading

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virtual defeat

or virtual victory? I think I gave in to a little Yankee arrogance the other day when I noticed that Richmond seemed more in the dark about the battle at Chickamauga than the North. The New York Times apparently had … Continue reading

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A return to normalcy?

After the defeat of the Army of the Cumberland at Chickamauga and its retreat back into Chattanooga, President Lincoln was very much involved in the decisionsto send reinforcements General Rosecrans in Chattanooga. In the midst of the crisis Mr. Lincoln … Continue reading

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loads and loads of money

print away our problems? Well, not really, as the editors at the Richmond Whig understood. From The New-York Times September 25, 1863: The following paragraphs are from the [Richmond] Whig, of the 23d: … PAINFUL SIGHT. It is nothing unusual … Continue reading

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“a thorn in its vitals”

Civil War Daily Gazette has the story of Abraham Lincoln’s damage control after the Union defeat at Chickamauga. The president urged General Rosecrans to hold on to Chattanooga and ordered General Burnside to “Go to Rosecrans”. Here he tells General-in-chief … Continue reading

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close call

150 years ago today the battle resumed at Chickamauga. It might say something about the outcome that, unlike yesterday, The New York Times did not publish any front page reports about the fighting on September 20th directly from the field. … Continue reading

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fierce battle near Crawfish Springs

Read all about day One at the Battle of Chickamauga at Civil War Daily Gazette. Here’s an early report from the battlefield. From The New-York Times September 21, 1863: HIGHLY IMPORTANT.; A Great Battle Fought Near Chattanooga. The Engagement of … Continue reading

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Charley Green

We know that women disguised themselves as men so they could serve in the ranks during the war. Some even served while pregnant. But to the extent that this story is true, “Charley’s” wound at Manassas is interesting – if … Continue reading

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no resale allowed

Melon Market Speculation? From the Richmond Daily Dispatch September 16, 1863: Violating a Market ordinance. –Barbers McDonald, Catherine Welsh, and Margaret Sullivan, three Irish women, were fined $5 for buying watermelons in the market to sell again. The melons were … Continue reading

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a tender inquiry

From The New-York Times September 14, 1863: NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.; OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES. GEN. GILLMORE’S OPERATIONS. … WASHINGTON, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1863. It is understood here that Gen. GILLMORE has tenderly inquired of Government if he would be justified … Continue reading

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