Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

Granted …

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Yankee general who could exploit the odds in his favor From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 14, 1863: Gen Grant. Military merit is so rare among the Yankee Generals that we are not at all surprised by the excessive … Continue reading →

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No Scrooge

Posted on August 14, 2013 by SUMPTER

I know from the schedule that 150 years ago today draftees from the Town of Tyre in Seneca County, New York appeared in Auburn for their examinations. Here’s a comment from a Democrat newspaper from Seneca County in 1863: Mr. … Continue reading →

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high fuel prices

Posted on August 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

It might have been a blisteringly hot August in Virginia, but citizens  still needed fuel to cook (and it might be prudent to stock up on wood for the coming winter). On August 12th the editors of the Richmond Daily … Continue reading →

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Waterloo exemptions

Posted on August 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

According to James M. McPherson’s discussion of conscription in the North, “If a man’s name was drawn in this [draft] lottery, one of several things would happen to him next – the least likely of which was induction into the … Continue reading →

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Bread Basket

Posted on August 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Richmond mill is selling flour below the market price and limiting quantities to stymie speculators; another novel food substitute; a meeting is planned to protest flour speculators and another to consider a petition for sentinels to guard Richmond’s near … Continue reading →

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Fast Work

Posted on August 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

I forgot that President Lincoln had designated August 6th as a Day of Thanksgiving. Here’s an editorial that sees a direct link between the April 30th National Fast Day and the recent Union successes. July 4, 1863 was a lot … Continue reading →

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To horses!

Posted on August 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this summer substantial monetary incentives were offered to veterans if they would return to the service. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in August 1863: CAPT. E.J. TYLER, of the old 33d Regiment, has opened a … Continue reading →

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Counterpoint

Posted on August 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

There were riots in New York City. Democrats in the Finger Lakes were sceptical. But it was reported that New Yorkers conscripted on the shores of Lake Ontario were actually planning a parade to celebrate. From The New-York Times August … Continue reading →

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a little less fire

Posted on August 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

The famous fire-eater, William L. Yancey, died of kidney disease at his home in Montgomery, Alabama on July 27, 1863. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 1, 1863: The late William L Yancey. The death of William L. Yancey, Confederate … Continue reading →

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pardon for “numerical equality”

Posted on August 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

On June 28, 1863 the Confederacy’s president, Jefferson Davis, wrote, “If a victim would secure the success of our cause, I would freely offer myself.” Since that was unlikely to work out, 150 years ago today President Davis proclaimed pardon … Continue reading →

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