Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

“A Day of Infamy and Disgrace”

Posted on July 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today riots broke out in New York City. The immediate cause was the commencement of the draft in New York Congressional districts. As James McPerson pointed out, most of the New York militia and federal troops were … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

home of the free

Posted on July 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

oh, Canada From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 9, 1863: Results of drafting in the North. The Old Guard, of New York, gives the following specimen of the process of drafting in Michigan: “Of forty-one men drafted in Clinton county, … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“names ticketed and boxed”

Posted on July 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

… the almost universal expression is that of satisfaction and acquiescence in the wisdom and propriety of the measure. Especially if you can find a substitute or come up with $300 for the IRS From The New-York Times July 11, … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“gleams of hope and sunshine”

Posted on July 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

A small town Democrat paper summarized reports about Gettysburg and its aftermath. There was a sense of relief that at least the Stars and Bars weren’t flying over Harrisburg and a bit of concern that the Confederate army was far … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Gettysburg Campaign, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“buzzards sailing lazily”

Posted on July 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg. (Correspondence of the Philadelphia Age.) GETTYSBURG, July 7, 1863. – The battle of Gettysburg will be one of the longest remembered of all the battles of this … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Gettysburg Campaign, Military Matters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrate the day …

Posted on July 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

By whipping the Yankees An Independence Day editorial from Richmond – before the South knew that Vicksburg would surrender and Lee’s invasion was, at the least, stalled. I don’t know if the tone would have changed that much anyway. From … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Haunted Fourth

Posted on July 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The Heart of a Soldier: As Revealed in the Intimate Letters of Genl. George E. Pickett (pages 101-103): On the Fourth – far from a glorious Fourth to us or to any with love for his fellow-men – I … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Gettysburg Campaign, Military Matters, Vicksburg Campaign | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(Gradual) death-blow to a social system

Posted on July 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

On July 1, 1863 the Missouri State Convention passed a plan for gradual emancipation beginning in 1870. The following editorial knows why the decision was made – you can’t pretend to be loyal to the Union while still supporting slavery. … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American History, American Society, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“moral impossibility”

Posted on July 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago tomorrow The New York Times published a huge article that put together many dispatches from besieged Vicksburg. The reports contained misinformation (General Grant announcing to his troops that Port Hudson had fallen), but the main themes were … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Southern Society, Vicksburg Campaign | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever”

Posted on July 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

Or else A couple Pennsylvanians defend their home soil – and the Union. From The New-York Times July 2, 1863: THE REBEL INVASION.; Highly Important from the Army of the Potomac. Defeat of Stuart’s Cavalry in Three Fights. The Rebels … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Gettysburg Campaign, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment