To oppressing the good people of Norfolk
I really can’t believe everything I read in the newspaper anymore: apparently there was not as much Union sentiment in Norfolk as a previous article indicated.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 31, 1862:
From Norfolk.
We have advices from Norfolk as late as Saturday last, but the general news possesses very little interest to the public. A considerable portion of Burnside’s force was quartered in the neighborhood, and officers were frequently heard to say that they were going to join McClellan. The negroes are rapidly disappearing, and the inhabitants are in many ways made to experience the terrors of despotism under the name of “liberty.” They still remain firm in their attachment to the South, and some who were originally inclined to Unionism are thoroughly disgusted with the Abolition Government. A few citizens in the vicinity have taken the oath, in order to secure the privilege of selling their farm and garden products in the market, Tea and salt can only be purchased in very small quantities, the Federal authorities being apprehensive that these articles will be smuggled into the Confederate lines. The Provost Marshal is a German named Christensen, who formerly kept a lager beer saloon and dog-fighting establishment in New York. He omits no opportunity of oppressing the people. A party of soldiers were lately passing a house where a young lady displayed an apron made of the Confederate colors, and the Valliant warriors at once threatened to fire into the dwelling unless the offensive garment was surrendered. The lady had no alternative but to throw it from a window, and they bore it off with loud shouts of triumph. Our readers will remember that we recently published, from a Yankee newspaper, and account of a “gross outrage” perpetrated upon an imported newsboy, by a young gentleman named G. R. I. Taney.–This “outrage” was an exceedingly trivial affair, but Mr. Taney was arrested by the provost guard and thrown into jail, the authorities refusing to admit him to bail, though it was offered by prominent citizens. They finally offered him the alternative of taking the oath or going to the Rip Rap.’ and he asked a week to consider the proposition.–Being then put upon his parole, he succeeded in escaping from the city, and arrived in Richmond yesterday morning. The provost guard is no better than a gang of thieves; and though Gen. Viele, the military governor, is said to possess some of the instincts of a gentleman, Christensen and his men are allowed to go on pretty much as they please,–The people of Norfolk would welcome the protection of the Confederate Government with unbounded joy.
When General Wool moved from the Norfolk area to take command of the Department of the East in January 1863 he issued orders that included naming C.T. Christensen as an Aide-de-Camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. The orders also included rounding up deserters. By March 1865 C.T. Christensen was issuing orders as Assistant Adjutant-General for General Canby in New Orleans. One of the orders prohibited selling intoxicating liquors (including lager) to Union troops.
