Category Archives: Slavery

October 4, 1862: Emancipation’s foreign impact

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports with relish that Europe isn’t taken in by Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation. As the editor argues somewhat incoherently, the move a) is going to cause an insurrection bloodbath and b) should have been done earlier. And … Continue reading →

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October 3, 1862: We can’t afford emancipation

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch wasn’t pleased with the Emancipation Proclamation, as we’ve seen. Here the editor goes on to warn that it will divide the North, and ruin the economy of the nation. And of course result in the descent … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Slavery | 2 Comments

October 1, 1862: Frederick Douglass on the Emancipation Proclamation

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass, in Douglass’ Monthly for October 1862, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, and calls for renewed resolve to defeat the rebellion. EMANCIPATION PROCLAIMED Common sense, the necessities of the war, to say nothing of the dictation of justice and humanity … Continue reading →

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September 24, 1862: “Then, henceforward, and forever free”

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The president proclaims freedom. Note that this proclamation does not merely free slaves in places the Union government did not control; it abrogates the Fugitive Slave Act, assuring that any former slave who escaped to the North would be free. … Continue reading →

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September 22, 1862: Free black men in Ohio

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch reproduces a report from an Ohio paper complaining about freedmen “degrading white labor”. First fruits of Africanizing Ohio. –Several farmers of the Abolition persuasion in Athens County–we might mention Pedro and Simpson — have negroes employed … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Ohio, Secession, Slavery | 1 Comment

August 24, 1862: Sherman to an old classmate – so you want your slaves back?

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

William T. Sherman had been president of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy in Baton Rouge before the war, and he had many Southern Friends — some of whom were even classmates of his from West Point. … Continue reading →

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

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

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 →

Posted in Slave trade, Slavery, Virginia | Leave a comment

July 22, 1862: It’s the slaves, stupid.

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Allen Gathman

It is always worth remembering that the South’s primary grievance against the North before and during the war was their fear that the Republicans would take away their slaves. Here the Richmond Daily Dispatch decries the wartime administration’s warnings that … Continue reading →

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

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Allen Gathman

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 21, 1862: Slavery is doomed in Missouri

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times ran an editorial predicting that slavery would be unable to persist for long in Missouri. Many slaveholders had absconded in fear of federal troops, and antislavery sentiment was growing. As it turns out, there wouldn’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Missouri, Slavery | 1 Comment