Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

Like the Murmurings at Meribah

The Dispatch philosophizes about the price of southern freedom from northern oppression – it didn’t take long for the Hebrews to forget about their Red Sea experience. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 2, 1862: Human nature. –For the benefit … Continue reading

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Pithy, Pointed, Prodding

On April 4, 1862 General George McClellan and his huge Union Army of the Potomac set out from Fortress Monroe for Richmond. By April 7th the army had made it to the Warwick River and the Yorktown area (approximately 25 … Continue reading

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All for $13 per month (with pork and hard bread)

Here’s another letter from a member of the 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry. 150 years ago this week the 33rd was taking part in the Union siege of Yorktown. This is quite a long letter that begins with a recap … Continue reading

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“on the qui vive” in Yorktown

What are the Yankees waiting for? From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 26, 1862: Correspondence. from the Peninsula. Yorktown, April 21, 1862. Nothing stirring, as yet, has transpired on the Peninsula. The enemy seem to have no disposition to attack. … Continue reading

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Your Horse Is Our Horse

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 22, 1862: Impressment of horses. –The people of Lynchburg are groaning over the fact that the agents of the Government have been twice in that region impressing and buying up all the serviceable horses … Continue reading

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“Twenty-five thousand 13 inch shells”

150 years ago today people in Richmond could have read some “telegraphic news” from the day before. The Union navy is firing thousands of bombs into Forts Jackson and St. Phillip on the Mississippi, but the forts have not been … Continue reading

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Hold the Applause?

Burnett’s proposal for irregular warfare applauded by soldiers watching senate proceedings From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 21, 1862: Applause in the galleries. Mr. Burnett again spoke in favor of irregular warfare, and contrasted its advantage in a striking manner … Continue reading

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The Price Is Wrong

Price Controls in Richmond From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 22, 1862: Seizure of eggs. –The Chief of the Provost Marshal’s Police seized on Saturday a couple of barrels of eggs, belonging to a man who had been selling them … Continue reading

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Flag Mystery

Land of the Thirteen Rays? I never heard of or saw this CSA flag. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 21, 1862: A joint resolution Adopting the flag of the Confederate States of America. Resolved, by the Congress of the … Continue reading

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Severely Wounded in Mexico; Mortally Wounded at Shiloh

You can read a lot of interesting information about the Battle of Shiloh at Seven Score and Ten. Here’s an obituary of a Confederate general who was mortally wounded early in the battle. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 19, … Continue reading

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