Category Archives: Confederate States of America

not so manifest

150 years ago the journalist who coined the concept of Manifest Destiny was in Europe advocating the dissolution of the United States. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 27, 1863: Recognition. –Mr. O’Sullivan, late United States Minister to Portugal, has … Continue reading

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postal peace

It was a short labor stoppage at the Richmond Post Office, where clerks had not had a raise since the war and its rampant inflation began. And our Richmond newspaper still sees a lot of pressure on prices. Even though … Continue reading

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one not enough?

The following stereograph of Richmond’s Libby Prison was taken 150 years ago today: The Library of Congress also shows the back of the card with its statement of authenticity: You can see a photograph of Libby’s commandant, Thomas P. Turner … Continue reading

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blame game

From The New-York Times August 22, 1863: The War and Its Originators. The difficulties of writing history could hardly be better exemplified than by a comparison of the versions of the origin of the war, given by Mr. DONNELL, the … Continue reading

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post office resignations

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 21, 1863: Postal communication Stopped. –Resignation of the Clerks in the City Post-Office. –Yesterday evening the clerks in the City Post-Office resigned in a body, and the business of that office has come to … Continue reading

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Granted …

A Yankee general who could exploit the odds in his favor From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 14, 1863: Gen Grant. Military merit is so rare among the Yankee Generals that we are not at all surprised by the excessive … Continue reading

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high fuel prices

It might have been a blisteringly hot August in Virginia, but citizens  still needed fuel to cook (and it might be prudent to stock up on wood for the coming winter). On August 12th the editors of the Richmond Daily … Continue reading

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Bread Basket

A Richmond mill is selling flour below the market price and limiting quantities to stymie speculators; another novel food substitute; a meeting is planned to protest flour speculators and another to consider a petition for sentinels to guard Richmond’s near … Continue reading

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a little less fire

The famous fire-eater, William L. Yancey, died of kidney disease at his home in Montgomery, Alabama on July 27, 1863. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 1, 1863: The late William L Yancey. The death of William L. Yancey, Confederate … Continue reading

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pardon for “numerical equality”

On June 28, 1863 the Confederacy’s president, Jefferson Davis, wrote, “If a victim would secure the success of our cause, I would freely offer myself.” Since that was unlikely to work out, 150 years ago today President Davis proclaimed pardon … Continue reading

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