Category Archives: Confederate States of America

the town pump

Posted on August 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

I was a bit surprised that the Richmond paper could publish a letter the day after it was written. Apparently the Virginia Central Railroad was in fine feather 150 years ago this week. Massachuset describes the wounded thronging to the … Continue reading →

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Just back from Gettysburg

Posted on July 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

After a controversial performance at Gettysburg, General William “Extra Billy” Smith, Virginia’s governor-elect arrived in Richmond on July 23, 1863 for a five month interregnum. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 29, 1863: The New State Administration. General William Smith, … Continue reading →

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a little less “gigantic Power”

Posted on July 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Mississippi might be basically under Federal control now, but the Richmond press can still celebrate signs of rebel life out west. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 22, 1863: Destruction of a Federal gunboat by a torpedo. A dispatch … Continue reading →

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references required

Posted on July 17, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 17, 1863: In Council of the city of Richmond, July13th 1863. The following Ordinance was passed by the Council and ordered to be published in the daily papers of the city twice a week … Continue reading →

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home of the free

Posted on July 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

oh, Canada From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 9, 1863: Results of drafting in the North. The Old Guard, of New York, gives the following specimen of the process of drafting in Michigan: “Of forty-one men drafted in Clinton county, … Continue reading →

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Celebrate the day …

Posted on July 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

By whipping the Yankees An Independence Day editorial from Richmond – before the South knew that Vicksburg would surrender and Lee’s invasion was, at the least, stalled. I don’t know if the tone would have changed that much anyway. From … Continue reading →

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Haunted Fourth

Posted on July 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The Heart of a Soldier: As Revealed in the Intimate Letters of Genl. George E. Pickett (pages 101-103): On the Fourth – far from a glorious Fourth to us or to any with love for his fellow-men – I … Continue reading →

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“moral impossibility”

Posted on July 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago tomorrow The New York Times published a huge article that put together many dispatches from besieged Vicksburg. The reports contained misinformation (General Grant announcing to his troops that Port Hudson had fallen), but the main themes were … Continue reading →

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Mutiny at ‘Gibraltar’?

Posted on June 29, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a Richmond newspaper published information that the Yankee siege of Vicksburg was progressing but that Confederate General Johnston’s army was getting nearer. There was more information that things were going well for the rebels trapped in … Continue reading →

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“intolerance and bigotry”

Posted on June 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

The South … has never proscribed any man on account of his creed or race From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 11, 1863: The Yankee Know Nothings. A suggestive item of Yankee news has been published in this paper, which … Continue reading →

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