Government Stimulus

Posted on July 26, 2012 by SUMPTER

Talk about Big Sibling … here a newspaper seems to have a real good idea of exactly how much money is being sent home by local soldiers in the 33rd New York Volunteers.

From a Seneca Falls, New York newspaper in July 1862:

Money from the Thirty-Third.

During the past week there has been a large amount of money received in this village from the volunteers in the Thirty-Third. Capt. GUION’S Company has sent home over $1700, and Capt. MCGRAW’S Company an equal if not larger amount. The Regiment was paid off to the first of May.

The Civil War created economic winners and losers. In Seneca Falls the Knitting Mills Company was going full bore thanks to government contracts to supply socks for the troops. Overall things weren’t going that great. According to a local directory published about March 1862 (page 29): “Manufacturing and business is checked for the time being, in consequence of the terrible Civil War which is now devastating a portion of our country; yet the recent victories of the Federal Army encourage us with the hope of a return of that Peace and Prosperity which smiled so auspiciously upon us in days gone by.” The remittances from the soldiers undoubtedly helped.

Uncle Sam giveth and Uncle Sam taketh away.

Uncle Sam, "Go ahead, boys, I'll take care of the wives and babies - God bless you!" (Harper's weekly, v. 6, no. 296 (1862 August 23), p. 544; LOC: LC-USZ62-134228)

Leave it to Uncle

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Northern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Death of a Free Soiler

Posted on July 25, 2012 by SUMPTER
Former President Martin Van Buren, half-length portrait, facing right (photographed between 1840 and 1862, printed later; LOC: LC-USZ62-13008)

crush the rebellion

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 vice president. He was elected president in 1836 but failed to win reelection. He split with the Democratic party because of his opposition to the expansion of slavery and ran as the Free Soil party’s first presidential candidate in 1848. According to the following, in his last days, as he was in and out of lucidity, Mr. Van Buren was interested in the Northern effort to put down the rebellion and re-establish the Union.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 26, 1862:

Ex-President Van-Buren,

A dispatch from Kinderhook, dated July 19th, says ex-President Martin Van-Buren was then in sensible and dying. He was in the 81st year of his age. A letter to the New York Tribune says:

Grand democratic free soil banner (ith. & pub. by N[athaniel] Currier, 152 Nassau St., cor[ner] of Spruce, N.Y., c1848; LOC: LC-USZC2-2465)

from Democrat to Free Soil

Previous to the wandering of his mind, and once or twice since, when reason returned, Mr. Van Buren has evinced the most lively and patriotic interest in the affairs of the country. No longer since than Tuesday, when the day before he was hardly expected to survive, he inquired of Dr. Pruyn how the good work of crushing the rebellion was going on, and was very particular to learn if the public confidence in the President and Gen. McClellan was yet firm and unshaken, as he thought it should be.–He appeared much gratified when answered in the affirmative. He has continually denounced the course of Buchanan’s administration from the first, but has expressed the utmost confidence in that of Mr. Lincoln. The war, he thinks, is justly and as vigorously as possible carried on — the rebels brought it upon themselves and they should be severely punished. He has all faith in the ultimate triumph of our arms and cause, but not without great expenditures of blood and treasure, as events have thus far demonstrated. He has the utmost confidence in the military ability of General McClellan, of whom he is an old and warm personal friend, and if he is sustained and aided by all loyal people, the flag, our country, the Constitution, and the great principles of American liberty will be thoroughly and permanently re-established throughout the rebellious States.

Martin Van Buren, residence in Kinderhook, New York. General view, close-up (1961 Aug. 31; LOC: LC-G613-77295)

at Kinderhook

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American Culture, American History | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Banner Day

Posted on July 24, 2012 by SUMPTER
Flag of Regt., 44th N.Y. Inf. (between 1860 and 1870; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-04467)

44th’s “bullet-riddled flag”

It is written that James B. Hitchcock had enrolled in Company K of the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry. He performed heroically during an unspecified battle during the Seven Days.

From a Seneca Falls, New York newspaper in 1862:

A Brave and Daring Soldier.

Mr. EDITOR: – Thinking it may not prove objectionable to you, and will be gratifying perhaps to many of your readers, I send you an extract of a letter from Lieut. Mundy, written since the terrible conflict, or series of conflicts with the Rebel Army near Richmond, during the change of McClellan’s base of operations, recently made. The letter is a lengthy one, but without troubling you with many of the details which it furnishes, I simply desire your publication of that part of it which refers to the conduct of James Hitchcock, on of the young men in his Regiment who went from our village. He says:

JamesCRice-1864(Harper's Weekly May 28,1864)

James C. Rice led “brave and most desperate charge”

“I must allude to the splendid and noble behavior of James Hitchcock, of Seneca Falls. He displayed as much courage, noble daring and heroism as any man possibly could throughout the fight, until he was severely wounded. The old bullet-riddled flag which had been so gallantly defended by our brave and noble boys, fell to the ground. The Ensign was instantly killed. Two others who had volunteered to carry the old emblem had fallen; Hitchcock rushed forward as we were exposed to a most galling and murderous fire and raised the flag, asking Col. Rice, who was leading the Regiment forward in a brave and most desperate charge, if he would permit him to take charge of that old banner? With his consent, he rushed forward in advance of his Regiment, and while waving it in the face of the enemy, was struck by a musket ball in the leg inflicting a severe wound, though not so serious as to make amputation necessary. Holding on to the flag-staff and waving the flag as he went limping along on his wounded limb toward Col. Rice, refusing to deliver it to any one save the Colonel himself. He resigned it into his hands, amidst the praises of every officer and man in the Regiment. He was complimented by the Colonel commanding, and promoted on the spot to Sergeant in his Company. Col. Rice alluded to his conduct as a model for every soldier.”

Death of Col. Ellsworth After hauling down the rebel flag, at the taking of Alexandria, Va., May 24th 1861 (Pub. by Currier & Ives, c1861; LOC: LC-USZC2-223)

More than a year ago already: Ellsworth inspires Hitchcock, et alia

It seems appropriate that this story involves the 44th New York Infantry Regiment, also known as Ellsworth Avengers or the People’s Ellsworth Regiment. The regiment was raised in the fall of 1861 to honor the memory of Elmer Ellsworth, who was killed in Alexandria, Virginia in May 1862 after he took down a secession flag flying from a hotel. The “bullet-riddled flag” mentioned in this letter does not seem to be an exaggeration: at the May 27, 1862 Battle of Hanover Court House “The 44th New York suffered 25% casualties and its battle flag received 44 bullet holes.” During the Seven days the regiment was mostly in the fights at Gaines’ Mill and Malvern Hill.

You can see the 44th’s second National Color at the New York State Military Museum.

By October 1862 there were only 200 men left in the regiment. The Albany Normal School Company was formed to help replenish the ranks. This site also has a photo of a memorial to Ellsworth.

Apparently James Clay Rice was officially promoted to Colonel on July 4, 1862. In 1864 General Rice was killed at Spotsylvania. According to his obituary at Harper’s Weekly, six bullets passed through his clothing at Malvern Hill.

Civil War envelope showing Elmer Ellsworth with sword, pistol, and American flag with message "One flag, one country (between 1861 and 1865; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-31963)

Elmer Ellsworth with the old banner

Posted in Military Matters, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

War of and by the People?

Posted on July 23, 2012 by SUMPTER
Rising of the people. "The drum-tap rattles through the land" (N.Y. : Published by Firth, Pond & Co., 1862; LOC: LC-USZ62-91843)

covering patriotism

From the Library of Congress

Posted in Military Matters, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pristine Farm Stands Out Like Sore Thumb

Posted on July 21, 2012 by SUMPTER

Well, Mr. Dudley can’t sell liquor anymore.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 21, 1862:

A Richmond merchant arrested for alleged disloyalty.

–Mr. T. Dudley, Jr., the well known liquor merchant, who formerly did business on the North side of Main street, was arrested at his farm in Hanover county, on Saturday, by detectives Folkes and Caphart, and brought to this city and lodged in Castle Godwin, on the charge of disloyalty. Some rumors to the latter effect caused inquiries to be instituted by the military police in regard to the status of Mr. Dudley. On repairing to his farm they found everything in excellent order, and nothing disturbed, though neighboring houses had been devastated and the country laid waste by the Yankees. It appeared that McClellan and his cronies had paid Mr. Dudley a visit, and the latter confessed that he had taken the oath to save himself and property, and that in consequence a guard was stationed, who prevented all depredation on the part of the Yankees. It also appeared that Mr. D. sold to Gen McClellan a fine field of clover for the use of his horses, for $800 in gold. Mr. Dudley is a native of Massachusetts. The above facts were derived from those officially cognizant of the matters stated. The amount of guilt or innocence of the party will no doubt be the subject of inquiry before the court-martial now in session here.

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Peninsula campaign 1862, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Can’t bomb them into submission

Posted on July 20, 2012 by SUMPTER
Thomas H. Seymour

beware the ‘monstrous fallacy’

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 21, 1862:

Ex-Governor Seymour, of Connecticut, Opposed to a war of subjugation.

Ex-Governor Seymour, of Connecticut, has written a remarkable letter to the Hartford Times condemning the use of his name as a Vice President of the late war meeting in that city. He goes on to say that–

“If it is necessary to be more explicit, I beg leave to state that, knowing what the meeting would be beforehand, I could not have been induced to attend it, or take a part in its doings — and that, having glanced at the speeches and the proceedings generally of that meeting, I particularly desire to clear myself from any participation, directly or indirectly, in what took place there.–The meeting, if I have not misunderstood its general bearing, is one which ignores peaceful remedies of any sort as a means of restoring the Union, and calls loudly for men and means to aid in the subjugation and consequent degradation and overthrow of the South. I follow, gentlemen, in no such crusade, neither will I contribute, in any way, to the accomplishment of such a bloody purpose. The monstrous fallacy of the present day, that the Union can be re-established by destroying any part of the South, is one which will burst with the shells that are thrown into its defenceless cities, and leave the condition of this country, after its treasures are exhausted, and its brave men on both sides consigned to hospitals and graves, a spectacle for reproach or commiseration of the civilized world.”

Thomas Hart Seymour served as governor of Connecticut from 1850-1853. He would challenge George B. McClellan in 1864 for the Democrat nomination for U.S. President.

1st Connecticut artillery park encamped at the former quarters of the Louisiana Tigers. (c1862 May. at Yorktown; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-31498)

getting ready to bomb them into submission?

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Taxmen Searcheth

Posted on July 19, 2012 by SUMPTER
The home of the American citizen after the tax bill has passed (Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, v. 14, no. 355 (1862 July 19), p. 272; LOC: LC-USZ62-133072)

‘Scroggs says he is ready and willing to pay any amount of tax, but he would like them to leave his wife’s crinoline and other domestic trifles alone.’

This cartoon, which you can read more about at the Library of Congress, was published in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper on July 19, 1862. It referred to the Tax Act of July 1862.

From the National Archives:

To fund the Civil War, a direct tax on property and an income tax were levied by an act of August 5, 1861 (12 Stat. 292), which also provided for a Commissioner of the Revenue and district collectors and assessors. These taxes were repealed by the Tax Act (12 Stat. 432), July 1, 1862, which created the basis of the modern internal revenue system, with an income tax and taxes on various commodities, businesses, products, and services. Income tax and all other internal revenue measures, except those imposed on tobacco and alcohol, and on dealers in those products, were repealed by an act of March 3, 1883 (22 Stat. 488).

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

Intervene for “Southern Freedom”

Posted on July 18, 2012 by SUMPTER
Justin S. Morrill, Representative from Vermont, Thirty-fifth Congress, half-length portrait (1859; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-26557)

Justin S. Morrill

And to end Europe’s cotton famine

A couple posts ago a member of the 50th New York Engineers worried about foreign intervention in America’s Civil War. He urged men to volunteer right away so the rebellion could be put down before England and France intervened and made it a much bigger fight for the Union. According to the Richmond Daily Dispatch on July 17, 1862 an English newspaper was editorializing for that very intervention:

The English Press on intervention.

–The London Herald has a very strong article on the war in America. We give its conclusion.

How long, then, are England and France to tolerate a war waged, utterly in vain, for an object whose attainment would confer no benefit on those who seek it, and would be an unmarred misfortune to the rest of the world? How long are we to suffer, while the North strains its powers to the uttermost to restore a Union, which, while it existed, was the common enemy of Europe, and, to an especial sense, the enemy of England? How much shall we suffer for the Morrill tariff, the destruction of the industry on which our cotton supply depends, and the prospect of an eventual war for Canada? If the contest had lasted only a short time we might have suffered patiently rather than be involved in a quarrel which is not ours. If we did not suffer, we should not be disposed to meddle, should the struggle continue for years to come. But the war has lasted a year, and may last for many years, and it inflicts on England sufferings already cruel, and increasing with each succeeding month that brings no hope of peace. If the cause of the North were a good or a holy one, England might be content to suffer long and severely for conscience sake; but we are not willing to see our countrymen starve that Northern lust of empire may be gratified by the sacrifice of Southern freedom, or that Massachusetts may grow rich on subsidies wrung by a protective tariff from Georgia and Alabama. It is time that some decided action should be taken by France and England on behalf of justice and humanity, as well as foe,[for?] the protection of their half ruined manufacturers and hungry operatives. Such action must be taken at last; it is impossible that things can be long allowed to remain as at present, and most improbable that any change in the aspect of American affairs will bring us any relief; and if we are to act after all, it is a saving of needless misery to act at once, with gentleness and courtesy, but with immovable firmness of purpose. The war in America, the cotton famine in Europe, must be terminated; when this resolution is once announced by the two great Powers, neither the patient sufferers here nor the exhausted combatants beyond the Atlantic will have long to wait for relief.

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Foreign Relations | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Jailers sure must be exempt

Posted on July 17, 2012 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 17, 1862:

Show Your passes.

–Citizens as well as soldiers must now show their passes, if they wish to avoid getting into trouble. Squads detailed for the purpose are patrolling the streets daily to intercept straggling soldiers and examine exemption papers. Parties who cannot show cause why they are not in the army, or with their regiments, will be arrested and put in prison.

You can read a good overview of Confederate conscription at The American Civil War. The article makes the point that exemptions are a rational way to allocate human resources during a war. They were abused in the Civil War.

You can read the details about the following political cartoon at the Library of Congress.

Southern "volunteers" (Published by Currier & Ives, (1862?); LOC: LC-USZ62-9636)

Currier and Ives’ poke fun

The State Penitentiary, Richmond, Va (photographed 1865, printed later; LOC: LC-USZ62-105082)

State Pen in Richmond

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Separated State Trumps Church

Posted on July 16, 2012 by SUMPTER

Sorry – you’re a United States Presbyterian

A little news from Charlotte, North Carolina. Things are going pretty well a good distance away from the Federral incursion. Similar to Wall Street in the North, cotton prices are tracking Confederate military fortunes. Refugees from the Virginia coast are finding plenty of CSA government employment (apparently, not only in the army).

Zebulon B. Vance, Representative from North Carolina, Thirty-fifth Congress, half-length1859; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-26688)

Colonel of the 26th North Carolina has hat in ring

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 14, 1862:

correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.

things in the old North State–Crops — Cotton in Distend — refugees — the Wives of our Generals, &c., &c.,

Charlotte, N. C., July 9, 1862.

The approaching election of Governor is exciting much interest, and much feeling is manifested by the friends of the candidates–Col. Vance and Col. Johnson. The papers throughout the State are much exercised on the subject, and it is impossible to say what will be the result. It is confessed, however, that both of the distinguished candidates are good and true men.

Corn looks well, and with a favorable season, an immense crop will be realized. Cotton is commanding large prices, though the planters will hardly sell at all now. Large quantities of this staple are stored away in this portion of the State, Since the great victory at Richmond, cotton can’t be bought for less than from 15 to 20 cents per pound, and not much could be bought even at that, There is a belief now that a good time is coming,” and that King Cotton is about to resume his reign.

Charlotte is filled up with refugees. There are several hundred here from Norfolk and Portsmouth, Government factories are being established, and every one can find employment.

Daniel_Harvey_Hill

(Southern) Presbyterian elder and Confederate general

This is the home of Major General D. H. Hill, For years he has been Professor in the Military Institutes here. Mrs. Stone wall Jackson is here on a visit to her sister, Mrs. General Hill. When Gen. Hill was Professor in Washington College, Lexington, Va., his wife’s sister paid his family a visit, and General Stonewall, then Professor in the Military Institute there, formed her acquaintance. Thus it happens that these two brave men are brothers in law. Their father in law is a Presbyterian clergyman, and lives near this place. By the way, both General Jackson and General Hill are elders in the Presbyterian church. Gen. Hill’s influence here is unbounded.

Among the Yankee prisoners at Salisbury is a chaplain, who was taken by General D. H. Hill. –He says that, having heard of what a pions [pious?] man the General was, and belonging to the same church with him, he expected to be treated with some consideration by that officer; but that, upon asking sundry favors, he found that his ecclesiastical relation was of little service, and that he is inclined to think that the General has a small opinion even of a preacher who comes to aid in subduing the South.

Charlotte, North Carolina “is traditionally considered the home of Southern Presbyterianism …”

Zebulon Baird Vance would serve as a fairly independent-minded governor. Vance raised the 26th North Carolina Infantry in 1861.The regiment, which fought throughout the war is “famous for being the regiment with the largest number of casualties on both sides during the war.”

26th_North_Carolina_Infantry_Band

26th North Carolina Infantry Band

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment