Category Archives: Reconstruction

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

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

“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

Virginia freedmen

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 30, 1865: The freedmen’s Bureau of Virginia. The reader will find in this morning’s paper the purport of the report of Colonel Brown, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau for the State of Virginia, … Continue reading

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

“a dirty Yankee trick”

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 30, 1865: Arrival of Captain Semmes. Washington, December29. –Captain Semmes arrived here last night by the train from New York, in charge of a guard of United States Marines, and was at once taken … Continue reading

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

tidings: dreadful … and glad?

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 25, 1865: Christmas. It would seem a remorseless piece of irony to extend to our people the usual greeting of “A Merry Christmas.” In the midst of a land desolated by the iron foot-prints … Continue reading

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

General Grant reports

150 years ago this week reports by President Johnson and General Grant on the condition of the South were published. From The New-York Times December 20, 1865: THE THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS; Important Message from the President on Reconstruction. He Favors the … Continue reading

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

another man without a country?

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 22, 1865: The last Confederate prisoner. –The last Confederate prisoner of war has been released, on condition that he would leave the country. The Baton Rouge Gazette of the 5th says: A letter received … Continue reading

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

for what it’s worth

As has been well-documented, William H. Seward did not think the United States Constitution was the most important law in the country. Especially in the context of determining whether slavery should be eradicated, he believed there was “a higher law … Continue reading

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