Category Archives: Virginia

July 24, 1862: This “species of property” still in demand

The Richmond Daily Dispatch notes with approval that, despite their tendency to run away when Yankee troops are around, there’s still a good market for slaves. Negroes. –Despite the fugacious proclivities of made members of the negro fraternity, they are … Continue reading

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June 27, 1862: The Richmond Daily Dispatch is shocked. Shocked!

Slave Pen, Alexandria VA The Richmond Daily Dispatch accuses the Yankees of hypocrisy, claiming that escaped slaves are being sold by the Union. It’s a serious accusation; few crimes are worse than selling another human being. Meanwhile, toward the back … Continue reading

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June 20, 1862: Substitute Swindle

The Richmond Daily Dispatch ran this editorial decrying the trade in fraudulent draft “substitutes”, who would take a fee, enlist in some Virginian’s stead, and then desert to sell their services again. While the editorialist recommends that every man offering … Continue reading

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May 12, 1862: War’s almost over

The New York Times editorialist starts celebrating a little prematurely. Hey, we’ve pretty much got the Mississippi under control, and we’ll be in Richmond in a few days. The Closing Act of the Drama. The speed with which events are … Continue reading

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April 29, 1862: Is not the Negro a man?

A letter from the Kingston Argus, dated April 29, 1862, from a Union correspondent at Fredericksburg. One of the “contrabands” described here would have been John Washington, who crossed Rappanhannock to freedom in the to the Union lines on April … Continue reading

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April 10, 1862: “The fight of Monday was less decisive than that of Sunday.”

The Tennessee River at Pittsburg Landing With great understatement, the Richmond Dispatch reported on April 10 that the battle of Shiloh might not have been such a great southern victory as first reported. The news was still over-optimistic, starting with … Continue reading

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April 9, 1862: Richmond Dispatch celebrates victory at Shiloh

The Civil War was a time of strange inconsistencies in the application of new technology. The telegraph and railroad improved communications astoundingly, but at the same time, news from less developed areas could be surprisingly slow to arrive. Thus, in … Continue reading

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February 19, 1862: The “lost cause” myth gets an early start

The Richmond Daily Dispatch, in its editorial on the defeat at Fort Donelson, shows the early roots of one of the most treasured “lost cause” myths — that the success of the Union was solely due to vast numerical superiority. … Continue reading

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January 26, 1862: Experiences of a released prisoner

Union and Confederate officers have a drink after a prisoner exchange A Union soldier from New York describes his time in Richmond. He had the good luck to meet an Irishwoman from New York, who had some kind feeling for … Continue reading

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January 20, 1862: How to make candles from cactus

I’ve posted several dubious recipes for coffee substitutes published in southern papers. Here’s evidence that the blockade was causing a candle shortage as well. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch: How to make candles. –Mr. N. A. Isom has discovered a … Continue reading

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