Tag Archives: southern scarcity

high fuel prices

Posted on August 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

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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granular analysis

Posted on April 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

In a message to the state legislature South Carolina governor Milledge Luke Bonham identified several reasons for food shortages in his state: the law prohibiting liquor production was not being obeyed or enforced; the law limiting cotton production to three … Continue reading →

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Our barns should be bulging

Posted on April 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

Hope springs eternal? Food was scarce throughout the Confederacy in the spring of 1863. “In a dozen or more cities and hamlets from Richmond to Mobile, desperate women raided shops or supply depots for food.” A week after the Richmond … Continue reading →

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A Benevolent Union in Richmond?

Posted on April 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

Five days after the Richmond Bread Riot the following report was published in the Richmond Daily Dispatch of April 7, 1863: Relief for the poor. –For the purpose of relieving the wants and necessities of the wives and families of … Continue reading →

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Abundant Virginia

Posted on April 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

Scarcity in the army only due to transportation issues and poorly executed impressments Two days after the Richmond Bread Riot(squelched by the press to conform to the Secretary of Defense’s wishes) a Richmond paper reproduced an editorial squelching the rumor … Continue reading →

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supply side Sleight of hand

Posted on April 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

“Supply and Demand” an “old standard” James Seddon, the Confederate Secretary of War pleaded with newspapers not to publish accounts of the April 2, 1863 Richmond Bread Riot. Nevertheless, 150 years ago today a Richmond paper was able to continue … Continue reading →

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Let them read papers

Posted on April 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 2, 1863: Give your child a Newspaper. –A child beginning to read becomes delighted with a newspapers, because he reads of names and things which are very familiar, and will make progress accordingly. A … Continue reading →

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(Our) jobs depend on it!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by SUMPTER

Rags for Rags? From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 18, 1862: Rags and raw cotton Wanted. The paper mill in this city, now our sole dependence for a supply of printing paper, is very much in want of material for … Continue reading →

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