It’s been a shooting war cum blockade for well over a year. Nevertheless, on a Friday night in Richmond 150 years ago this week you could still catch a show at a local theater – and in this case ticket proceeds will help people suffering in Wilmington.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch Friday, October 17, 1862:
For the benefit of the Wilmington sufferers.
–The proprietor of the Varieties intends to devote the proceeds of to night’s performances to the benefit of the sufferers by the yellow fever now raging at Wilmington, N. C. The plays on the occasion are “Green Bushes; or, One Hundred Years,” and the well known nautical drama of “Black Eyed Susan.”
According to NCPedia the yellow fever that raged through Wilmington in 1862 was probably caused by sick crew members on a blockade runner (mosquitoes transmit). Wilmington had become an important base for blockade runners. And blockade runners were having some success – General Beauregard (based in Charleston 150 years ago) was getting some merchandise from Paris.
From the same issue of the Dispatch:
Present from Beauregard to Stonewall Jackson.
–Gen. Beauregard has presented to Gen. Jackson a splendid silver mounted pistol, of a new pattern, made in Paris expressly for Jackson. It is a revolver, navy size, constructed to threw balls as a caution throws grapeshot. With this formidable weapon an officer hard pressed in action might destroy half a dozen enemies at a single discharge. An appropriate inscription is engraved on the silver plating.
Every issue of the Dispatch seems to have notices of rewards paid for the apprehension of runaway slaves. My take on this one: it’s not just the Lincoln administration – there were other stakeholders that would have appreciated it if the beleaguered General McClellan had his army farther south:
Runaways. three hundred Dollars reward
Left my dwelling, in Richmond, SundayeveningOctober 12th, my negro man, George Yaies about 20 years old, yellow complexion, about 5 feet 8 to 10 inches high, a scar on his nock under his jaw, and has a cock of cross eye.
Also, two Negro men left my farm, about two miles out of town about the same time of day-One man, Morton, aged about 24 or 25 years, black, about 5 feet10 inches high; no scars recollected; and boy, Dick, 18 years of age, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, black, and had on when he left a deep blue jacket, with brass buttons, and black glaze cap.
Morton is recently from Culpeper county, Va. and Dick I bought from Feigner county, near Warrenton, Va., last January. George was raised by me in Richmond.
I have no doubt but all three are aiming to make their escape to the Yankees by way of Gordonsville and Culpeper. I will give $100 for neck of the delivered to me in Richmond or secured in get them again.
Silas Conomundeo.
