Category Archives: Illinois

February 5, 1863: An interesting Lincoln biography from the Dispatch

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch caricatures Lincoln’s early life. Apparently running a grocery store is the same thing as keeping a bar, and in any case, beneath the dignity of a President. And of course, a life of that sort of … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Illinois, Kentucky | Leave a comment

December 8, 1862: Sherman to Porter — Time to move

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Rear Admiral Porter *************************** While McClernand was hatching schemes of infantry mounted on stolen mules, Grant and Sherman were about to, pretty literally, steal a march on him. Grant had maneuvered the rebels out from behind the Tallahatchie, and Sherman … Continue reading →

Posted in David Porter, Illinois, John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg, William Tecumseh Sherman | Leave a comment

November 14, 1862: Contrabands were better off slaves?

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch indulges in a little schadenfreude over the condition of the poor contrabands, who of course were better off as slaves. The correspondent in Cairo seems to find it perverse that the freedmen he talks to don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Contrabands, Illinois, Slavery | Leave a comment

October 30, 1862: Stanton sends troops to McClernand

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As we saw recently, Henry Halleck had ordered the Governor of Illinois to send troops to Grant for an attack on Vicksburg. It seems there was a bit of a command snafu at headquarters, because here we see the Secretary … Continue reading →

Posted in Edwin M. Stanton, Henry Halleck, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

October 28, 1862: McClernand’s Vicksburg plans – behind Grant’s back

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Allen Gathman

A little background: John McClernand, a “political general” from Illinois, proposed to Secretary of War Stanton on October 10 that he should be given troops from Grant’s Army of the Tennessee to undertake an expedition on Vicksburg. Grant was aware … Continue reading →

Posted in Edwin M. Stanton, Henry Halleck, Illinois, John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

October 27, 1862: Halleck sends Grant reinforcements to move on Vicksburg

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Allen Gathman

On October 26, Grant cabled Halleck proposing a move on Vicksburg. (He also complains about leaking information from General Curtis across the river, and asks for a unified command). HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Jackson, Tenn., October 26, 1862. General … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, Illinois, Mississippi, Samuel R. Curtis, Tennessee, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

August 2, 1862: Uppity in Chicago

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports an incident in Chicago. Some “Negroes” got the idea that they were allowed to ride the bus! Negro equality in Chicago — a negro Ejected from an omnibus — Intense excitement in consequence. A Chicago … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Illinois, Racism | Leave a comment

June 26, 1862: A Northern Democrat against emancipation

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch reprinted approvingly the remarks of Rep. William Richardson of Illinois. Northern Democrats hoped to use racism for leverage against Lincoln; a war for the Union was unassailable in the North, but a war against slavery was … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Illinois, Racism | 1 Comment

February 3, 1862: Grant’s expedition leaves Cairo

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Allen Gathman

One thing about war in the 1860s — if you want to know what the enemy is doing, you can just read the papers. The New York Times reports that Grant’s headed south. THE NEW EXPEDITION FROM CAIRO. CHICAGO, Monday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Ulysses S. Grant | Leave a comment

February 2, 1862: Mutiny put down in St. Louis

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Allen Gathman

You disobey orders, you get sent to Cairo. That should teach ‘em a lesson. From the New York Times: MUTINOUS SOLDIERS IN MISSOURI. ST. LOUIS, Sunday, Feb. 2. A general order will be issued in the morning, in which it … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Missouri | Leave a comment