Category Archives: American Culture

non-turkey day

Posted on November 23, 2017 by SUMPTER

A century ago some people in Georgia weren’t counting on turkey for Thanksgiving Day. World War was raging one hundred years ago. Perusing the rest of the December 2, 1917 Rotogravure Picture Section in The New-York Times, I was somewhat … Continue reading →

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beacon

Posted on September 10, 2016 by SUMPTER

You can check out the New York Tribune from 100 years ago today at the Library of Congress

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president’s day

Posted on February 12, 2016 by SUMPTER

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

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hot stove

Posted on January 18, 2016 by SUMPTER

I embrace hibernation. Reconstruction lacks the excitement of the combined naval-infantry assault on Fort Fisher (already a year ago), and it’s harder to find material. I might be historied out, but lying dormant for a bit sure seems good to … 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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“From Maine to California”

Posted on November 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today was the day President Lincoln proclaimed as a day of Thanksgiving. The New-York Times saw it as a day that helped unite the states and parties and hoped it would remain a grand national holiday. From … Continue reading →

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nursing the wounded

Posted on October 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

Yesterday while I was doing a little exploring at the Library of Congress, I discovered the image to the left of Walt Whitman, said to be “taken from life” in 1863 (apparently by Alexander Gardner). I read a few of … Continue reading →

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Flour Power

Posted on March 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 5, 1863: Flour impressment. Major Tannahill, the Commissary of Post at Petersburg, received on Tuesday last an order to impress all the extra superfine flour in the possession of millers and merchants in that … Continue reading →

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When?

Posted on December 24, 2012 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1862: “When Shall We Have Peace.” The Portland Advertiser, the leading Republican paper in Maine, asks the important and interesting question and answers it. We commend the answer to the careful … Continue reading →

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Death of a Free Soiler

Posted on July 25, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday Martin Van Buren died at the age of 79. He was the first president who was not born a British subject. He began his political career as a Democrat and served in Andrew Jackson’s administration as … Continue reading →

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