Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

Collision Expected

Posted on May 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 2, 1863: The news from the Rappahannock — the movements of the Hammy [Enemy] — a fight Hourly anticipated. The news from the armies now confronting each other on the Rappahannock is highly important … Continue reading →

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Something’s up

Posted on April 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

In Richmond the news from Fredericksburg was only a day late 150 years ago. By April 29th Federal forces had crossed the Rappahannock in the same vicinity that General Franklin’s Grand Division had crossed back in December, as part of … Continue reading →

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He had a dream

Posted on April 29, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 29, 1863: “Nigger” Surgeons. –The recently appointed negro surgeon, Dr. A. S. Augusta, writes to the Washington Star that he holds the appointment of full regimental surgeon U. S. V. instead of assistant surgeon, … Continue reading →

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TIK toc

Posted on April 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week the Confederate government revived an old idea in order to obtain new supplies for its armies in the field. On May 24, 1863 To combat spiraling inflation, the Confederate Congress levies a 10 percent “tax … Continue reading →

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patriotic rags

Posted on April 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

and earn a good (Confederate) dollar 150 years ago this week a Richmond newspaper was offering top dollar for the material necessary for its publication. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 22, 1863: Rags! Rags!! Rags!!! –The highest market price … Continue reading →

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Wily Yankee Propaganda?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

Here a Richmond paper tries to make sense of various prognostications coming out of the Northern press. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 22, 1863: The wait and Watch System. Several Federal journals intimate that no active hostilities on their … Continue reading →

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Where’s that draft?

Posted on April 22, 2013 by SUMPTER

Right on Time According to this editorial Congress did a great job timing the implementation of the Enrollment Act because it takes time to set up a new bureaucracy. If there is an emergency in the meantime, the volunteer spirit … Continue reading →

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General Scott’s Monster

Posted on April 20, 2013 by SUMPTER

It had been about a year and a half since retired general Winfield Scott left Washington and headed for New York by train. 150 years ago today he presided over a grand Union meeting at Madison Square in New York … Continue reading →

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Absent Without a Vote

Posted on April 18, 2013 by SUMPTER

I guess it really is going to be a long war. Here’s an editorial by a Republican-leaning paper urging the New York state government to do whatever it took to let soldiers “vote by proxy” for the 1864 elections. From … Continue reading →

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“cancel my signature”

Posted on April 16, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six: ON COLONIZATION ARRANGEMENTS REPUDIATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH BERNARD KOCK APRIL 16, 1863. A. LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, … Continue reading →

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