Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

Killed in the Jungle

Posted on April 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

There were several engagements as Union general Nathaniel Banks led his army in a round-about way through the bayous of Louisiana to eventually get at Port Hudson on the Mississippi. I’m confused about the dates. And I was even more … Continue reading →

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“poor Barney McGraw”

Posted on April 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

Union General Nathaniel Banks mission was to capture Port Hudson, Louisiana. His army was opposed by Confederates led by Richard Taylor. On the way to Port Hudson via Alexandria, Banks and his army won a victory at the Battle of … Continue reading →

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granular analysis

Posted on April 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

In a message to the state legislature South Carolina governor Milledge Luke Bonham identified several reasons for food shortages in his state: the law prohibiting liquor production was not being obeyed or enforced; the law limiting cotton production to three … Continue reading →

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Our barns should be bulging

Posted on April 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

Hope springs eternal? Food was scarce throughout the Confederacy in the spring of 1863. “In a dozen or more cities and hamlets from Richmond to Mobile, desperate women raided shops or supply depots for food.” A week after the Richmond … Continue reading →

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Stamp Tax

Posted on April 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

One of the ways the Revenue Act of 1862 provided funds to pay for the Civil War was by various excise and stamp taxes. Here a Richmond newspaper reports on the revenue headed to the U.S. Treasury on the death … Continue reading →

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” some ugly pock marks”

Posted on April 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

Not exactly the Union objective 150 years ago yesterday a federal fleet commanded by Samuel F. Du Pont tried to take a first step toward capturing Charleston, South Carolina by attacking Fort Sumter. The attack was unsuccessful. From The New-York … Continue reading →

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A Benevolent Union in Richmond?

Posted on April 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

Five days after the Richmond Bread Riot the following report was published in the Richmond Daily Dispatch of April 7, 1863: Relief for the poor. –For the purpose of relieving the wants and necessities of the wives and families of … Continue reading →

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Poles are to Russia …

Posted on April 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

… like Southerners are to the United States A Richmond editorial ridiculed Yankee vanity and found common cause with Polish rebels fighting Russian despotism. European recognition and/or intervention is pretty much a lost cause. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April … Continue reading →

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Abundant Virginia

Posted on April 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

Scarcity in the army only due to transportation issues and poorly executed impressments Two days after the Richmond Bread Riot(squelched by the press to conform to the Secretary of Defense’s wishes) a Richmond paper reproduced an editorial squelching the rumor … Continue reading →

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supply side Sleight of hand

Posted on April 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

“Supply and Demand” an “old standard” James Seddon, the Confederate Secretary of War pleaded with newspapers not to publish accounts of the April 2, 1863 Richmond Bread Riot. Nevertheless, 150 years ago today a Richmond paper was able to continue … Continue reading →

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