Category Archives: Southern Society

Bread Basket

Posted on August 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Richmond mill is selling flour below the market price and limiting quantities to stymie speculators; another novel food substitute; a meeting is planned to protest flour speculators and another to consider a petition for sentinels to guard Richmond’s near … Continue reading →

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a little less fire

Posted on August 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

The famous fire-eater, William L. Yancey, died of kidney disease at his home in Montgomery, Alabama on July 27, 1863. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 1, 1863: The late William L Yancey. The death of William L. Yancey, Confederate … Continue reading →

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pardon for “numerical equality”

Posted on August 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

On June 28, 1863 the Confederacy’s president, Jefferson Davis, wrote, “If a victim would secure the success of our cause, I would freely offer myself.” Since that was unlikely to work out, 150 years ago today President Davis proclaimed pardon … Continue reading →

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the town pump

Posted on August 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

I was a bit surprised that the Richmond paper could publish a letter the day after it was written. Apparently the Virginia Central Railroad was in fine feather 150 years ago this week. Massachuset describes the wounded thronging to the … Continue reading →

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Just back from Gettysburg

Posted on July 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

After a controversial performance at Gettysburg, General William “Extra Billy” Smith, Virginia’s governor-elect arrived in Richmond on July 23, 1863 for a five month interregnum. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 29, 1863: The New State Administration. General William Smith, … Continue reading →

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a little less “gigantic Power”

Posted on July 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Mississippi might be basically under Federal control now, but the Richmond press can still celebrate signs of rebel life out west. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 22, 1863: Destruction of a Federal gunboat by a torpedo. A dispatch … Continue reading →

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references required

Posted on July 17, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 17, 1863: In Council of the city of Richmond, July13th 1863. The following Ordinance was passed by the Council and ordered to be published in the daily papers of the city twice a week … Continue reading →

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Executives in action

Posted on July 16, 2013 by SUMPTER

Consequences of Vicksburg and Gettysburg 150 years ago yesterday President Lincoln called for a day of Thanksgiving; President Davis called for more troops – all white men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five not exempt. Of course, drafting in … Continue reading →

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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 →

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“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 →

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