Category Archives: Southern Society

Medical Alcohol?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by SUMPTER

The war caused governments North and South to increase restrictions on civilian rights. As Encyclopedia Virginia points out, on March 1, 1862 President Jefferson Davis declared martial law in Richmond, and “The Confederate government also prohibited the sale of liquor … Continue reading →

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Soul-Stirring in Georgetown

Posted on April 16, 2012 by SUMPTER

As Civil War Daily Gazette explains, 150 years ago today Abraham Lincoln signed into law a measure that freed all slaves in the District of Columbia. The following little story tends to show the southern attitudes that still existed in … Continue reading →

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Shirker

Posted on April 6, 2012 by SUMPTER

A couple paragraphs that made me ask a lot of questions: From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 7, 1862: A leap for liberty. –On Saturday a colored individual, named John Williams, was carried before the Mayer for the rather novel … Continue reading →

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“Melt the Bells”

Posted on March 31, 2012 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 1, 1862: To the patriotic — the value of Church Bells. The Ordnance Bureau of the Confederate States the use of such bells as can be spared during the war, for the purpose of … Continue reading →

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Apathetic Farmers

Posted on March 27, 2012 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 27, 1862: The crops. –The crops of the present year, as we were yesterday informed by an intelligent farmer of Henrico, are very backward both in that county and all adjacent ones, the planters … Continue reading →

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White Runaways

Posted on March 26, 2012 by SUMPTER

I’m used to advertisements in the Richmond Daily Dispatch offering rewards for runaway slaves. 150 years ago today there were at least three advertisements for military deserters. Here’s an example from the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 26, 1862: Deserters. –The … Continue reading →

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A Fire-Eater Sobered

Posted on March 24, 2012 by SUMPTER

The well-known fire-eater William Lowndes Yancey has returned from a year-long diplomatic mission to Europe. He failed to get either England or France to recognize the Confederacy. Yancey stopped at New Orleans on his way to Richmond to take his … Continue reading →

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In Lieu of a Gym Membership

Posted on March 23, 2012 by SUMPTER

Do Newspaper Editors Lead Sedentary Lives, too? The soldier-power shortage is nothing new, but this sales ploy sure surprised me. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 23, 1862: The soldier’s life. –It is said that the frequenters of the gymnasium … Continue reading →

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“On to Richmond”

Posted on March 19, 2012 by SUMPTER

to Evade Southern Military Duty From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 19, 1862: Wharf Rats. –Despite the industry of the militia officers for the past two days in hanting up delinquents, there are hundreds of men in the city liable, … Continue reading →

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Doing Good

Posted on March 14, 2012 by SUMPTER

Might be in the eye of the beholder From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 14, 1862: Liquor destroyed by ladies. –Some twenty ladies of Statesville, N. C., proceeded in a body to the railroad depot of the town, a few … Continue reading →

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