Category Archives: Aftermath

no respect

It was pitiful enough to find so much idleness, but it was more pitiful to observe that it was likely to continue indefinitely. The war will not have borne proper fruit, if our peace does not speedily bring respect for … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

birthday bashing

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

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

veto takes

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

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

just saying no

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

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

president’s day

Big doings in Washington, D. C. 150 years ago today as the nation’s capital commemorated the birthday of the martyred Abraham Lincoln.

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, American Culture, Postbellum Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

tailor retailored?

In February 1866 a Convention of Colored Men met in Washington, D.C. to protest the South’s Black Codes. On February 7th a delegation of participants met with President Johnson. From The Struggle between President Johnson and Congress over Reconstruction by … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“power to enslave”

In early 1866 Congress debated a proposed Constitutional amendment that that would change the apportionment of representatives to Congress. According to the February 1, 1866 issue of The New-York Times the text read: ARTICLE – . Representatives and direct taxes … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

misguided tour?

In a review of a Northern periodical the Richmond Daily Dispatch of December 23, 1865 said visiting yankees ought to be wary of trusting too much in their tour guides: Periodicals. –The January number of the Atlantic Monthly is upon … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Aftermath, Battlefields | Tagged , | Leave a comment

oysters for the vet

Even Sumpter will rouse himself for a delicious meal. Also, the following reminded me of local charity dinners nowadays. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in (probably) January 1866: DONATION TO A SOLDIER. – A donation and oyster supper … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Aftermath, Veterans | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“the Government of Freedmen.”

150 years ago this week New Yorkers could read about South Carolina’s enactment of a Black Code for the governance of freedmen. Eric Foner summarizes the code, which: contained provisions, such as prohibiting the expulsion of aged freedmen from plantations, … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment