Tag Archives: Freedmen’s Bureau

dark deed in broad daylight

Posted on November 20, 2018 by SUMPTER

In mid-October 1868 The New-York Times reported that Benjamin F. Randolph, a black clergyman and Republican state legislator, was murdered in South Carolina. In its November 21, 1868 issue, Harper’s Weekly reprinted the report of a Charleston newspaper: MURDER OF … Continue reading →

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black Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2017 by SUMPTER

An editorial 150 years ago today seemed at least somewhat nostalgic for the antebellum South. From The New-York Times December 25, 1867: Christmas at the South The contrast between the Christmas of to-day and the Christmas which was known before … Continue reading →

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“it is our country”

Posted on March 9, 2017 by SUMPTER

On March 7, 1867 the Southern Famine Relief Commission published a fact sheet about the severe destitution in the South, especially in Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. General O.O. Howard wrote that although his Freedmen’s Bureau was for the most … Continue reading →

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Kingstree jail fire

Posted on January 13, 2017 by SUMPTER

On January 7, 1867 the jail in Kingstree, South Carolina caught on fire. Twenty-two black prisoners were burned or smothered to death. From The New-York Times January 16, 1867: The Burning of the Kingstree, S.C., Jail – Heartrending Scenes Attending … Continue reading →

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Letter to the Loyal Alabamans

Posted on January 2, 2017 by SUMPTER

A document at the Library of Congress indicates that 150 years ago today the Grand Council of the Union League of Alabama wrote an epistle to its local branches. The letter began by thanking God that thanks to federal soldiers … Continue reading →

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lightning votes

Posted on July 19, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week Congress took almost all of three hours to override a presidential veto In February 1866 President Andrew Johnson vetoed a bill to extend the jurisdiction of the Freedmen’s Bureau. The U.S. Senate was unable to … Continue reading →

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four score and ten

Posted on July 4, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Massachusetts state representative George Bailey Loring delivered an Independence Day oration at Newburyport, Mass. He paid homage to Abraham Lincoln and declared the supremacy of the federal government. He disagreed with President Andrew Johnson’s objection to … Continue reading →

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birthday bashing

Posted on February 22, 2016 by SUMPTER

Back in 1861 even small towns celebrated Washington’s Birthday with cannon fire and bells. Five years later there were definitely some fireworks in Washington, D.C. as a crowd looked for a speech from President Andrew Johnson. It was a couple … Continue reading →

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veto takes

Posted on February 21, 2016 by SUMPTER

On February 19, 1866 President Andrew Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau Extension bill. Here is a review of commentary from more modern scholars. Walter Stahr points out that Mr. Johnson vetoed the bill because he agreed with Southern whites who … Continue reading →

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just saying no

Posted on February 19, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today President Andrew Johnson vetoed legislation that would have extended the jurisdiction of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Here is an 1896 summary. (However, the date of the veto is the 19th) From The Struggle between President Johnson and … Continue reading →

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