Category Archives: American Culture

hot stove

Posted on January 18, 2016 by SUMPTER

I embrace hibernation. Reconstruction lacks the excitement of the combined naval-infantry assault on Fort Fisher (already a year ago), and it’s harder to find material. I might be historied out, but lying dormant for a bit sure seems good to … Continue reading →

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a saint for the impecunious

Posted on December 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 23, 1865: The great problem of Christmas, with all who are not afflicted by the general malady of chronic impecuniousness, is what to buy for a Christmas present. The patron saint, Kriss Kringle, St. … Continue reading →

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“From Maine to California”

Posted on November 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today was the day President Lincoln proclaimed as a day of Thanksgiving. The New-York Times saw it as a day that helped unite the states and parties and hoped it would remain a grand national holiday. From … Continue reading →

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nursing the wounded

Posted on October 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

Yesterday while I was doing a little exploring at the Library of Congress, I discovered the image to the left of Walt Whitman, said to be “taken from life” in 1863 (apparently by Alexander Gardner). I read a few of … Continue reading →

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Flour Power

Posted on March 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 5, 1863: Flour impressment. Major Tannahill, the Commissary of Post at Petersburg, received on Tuesday last an order to impress all the extra superfine flour in the possession of millers and merchants in that … Continue reading →

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When?

Posted on December 24, 2012 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1862: “When Shall We Have Peace.” The Portland Advertiser, the leading Republican paper in Maine, asks the important and interesting question and answers it. We commend the answer to the careful … Continue reading →

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Death of a Free Soiler

Posted on July 25, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday Martin Van Buren died at the age of 79. He was the first president who was not born a British subject. He began his political career as a Democrat and served in Andrew Jackson’s administration as … Continue reading →

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The Taxmen Searcheth

Posted on July 19, 2012 by SUMPTER

This cartoon, which you can read more about at the Library of Congress, was published in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper on July 19, 1862. It referred to the Tax Act of July 1862. From the National Archives: To fund the … Continue reading →

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Amusements South and North

Posted on June 7, 2012 by SUMPTER

In early June 1862 Richmond was hard pressed by the huge Union army a few miles to the north, but despite the “general gloom” there was still some entertainment advertised. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch Saturday, June 7, 1862: The … Continue reading →

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“Teeth extracted by Electricity, without pain.”

Posted on May 11, 2012 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 12, 1862: Artificial Teeth–the Cheoplastic and Vulcanite Process. –G. W. Jones, Dentist, having the right for the above mode of making Teeth, and being satisfied of its absolute superiority over all other methods, can … Continue reading →

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