Tag Archives: Christmas

tidings: dreadful … and glad?

Posted on December 25, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 25, 1865: Christmas. It would seem a remorseless piece of irony to extend to our people the usual greeting of “A Merry Christmas.” In the midst of a land desolated by the iron foot-prints … 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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‘vacant chair’ Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 24, 1864: Saturday morning….December 24, 1864. Christmas. Christmas has come again, and though shorn of some of its old accessories of feasts and frolics, it is Christmas still in all that constitutes its essential … Continue reading →

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the ball was up

Posted on December 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

Emancipation was the word in 1863. The NY Times was pleased to see women skating expertly, not needing to be accompanied by men. From The New-York Times December 24, 1863: Skating on Central Park Lakes and Fifth-avenue and Other Ponds. … Continue reading →

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Christmas Thank-offering

Posted on December 26, 2012 by SUMPTER

Fredericksburg refugees caught between plundering Yankee army of he North and the spirit of extortion in the Southern Yankee businessmen. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 25, 1862: Appeal for Fredericksburg. The citizens of Fredericksburg have been great sufferers by … Continue reading →

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Pine Grove Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2012 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1863: The 33d Regiment. A correspondent of the Rochester Union in the 33d regiment, thus writes of a pleasant affair which occurred at Col. TAYLOR’s head quarters on Christmas day: Col. … Continue reading →

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At Camp Near Bladensburg

Posted on December 24, 2011 by SUMPTER

Christmas Festivities: Chasing a pig … and a pigskin? Through the haze of 150 years it’s kind of hard to make everything out. You can read the description at the Library of Congress. There’s information here that Camp Union was … Continue reading →

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