Category Archives: Southern Society

Election in Fredericksburg

Posted on March 18, 2013 by SUMPTER

Americans are fortunate that we mostly have “free and fair” elections. 150 years ago yesterday the people of Fredericksburg, Virginia apparently relied on Confederate troops to ensure that the Yankees on the other side of the Rappahannock did not try … Continue reading →

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Smoke-free Confederacy

Posted on March 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

After claiming that the Press only has the public good in mind (as opposed to power hungry politicians), this Richmond paper urges southern farmers to give up tobacco and cotton cultivation so that the land can be used exclusively to … Continue reading →

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Shrieks and Moans in Richmond

Posted on March 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today an explosion killed at least forty workers, mostly women, at the Confederate Ordnance Laboratory on Brown’s Island, Richmond. It is pointed out that this event shows the wartime need for female industrial workers since so many … Continue reading →

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Webster was wrong

Posted on March 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

Contrary to Daniel Webster’s assertion, Liberty does not require Union, according to this Southern editorial. Also, it’s too bad the Lincoln administration is pursuing this war because in time there could have been an alliance between two strong, liberty-loving nations. … Continue reading →

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Work Cut Out

Posted on March 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

Just like old times – white surgeons received their degrees at a black church led by a white, slave-owning minister. But I can understand how the writer would find this ceremony, with Richmond belles checking out the new doctors, comforting … 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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Tug of War

Posted on February 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 27, 1863: A solemn warning to wives. –A correspondent of the Selma Reporter relates a story which should serve as a solemn warning to the wives of soldiers. He says a few weeks ago … Continue reading →

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Non-exempt

Posted on February 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

Actions speak louder than “animus” One of the weaknesses of the Confederate conscription acts is said to have been widely abused exemptions. Here a Confederate judge decided against two native Virginians who claimed exemption on the ground that they were … Continue reading →

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War, Peruvian Style

Posted on February 20, 2013 by SUMPTER

I thought this was a pretty interesting juxtaposition from 150 Februaries ago. A southern newspaper criticized the North for not being merciful enough in its war effort and then criticized George McClellan for not using or knowing how to properly … Continue reading →

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“a shape more terrible”

Posted on February 18, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a Southern editorial realized the war was far from over. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 18, 1863: A long War. The correspondence between Seward and Dayton — of which we gave an abstract yesterday — … Continue reading →

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