Category Archives: Texas

October 12, 1862: Onward in the Southwest

The New York Times predicts victory in the southwest, and enumerates the North’s advantage. The Onward Movement in the Southwest. Published: October 12, 1862 The Southwestern States have fairly begun work, after the long rest they have had during the … Continue reading

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November 28, 1861: Thanksgiving

There was no nationally standardized date for Thanksgiving in 1861, but twenty states declared it on Nov. 28. The Times reproduced the Thanksgiving proclamations of the Governor of New York and the Mayor of New York City. From the New … Continue reading

Posted in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin | Leave a comment

November 23, 1861: Missouri refugees in Texas

Refugees from Missouri were pouring into the South; we’ve seen reports from Arkansas, and here’s one from Texas. The secessionist troops having been defeated, their sympathizers in Missouri were poorly treated — whether by regular Union troops or “Jayhawkers”, it’s … Continue reading

Posted in Kansas, Missouri, Texas | Leave a comment

July 13, 1861: Blockade affects Texas papers

While they had no complaints about censorship, the Austin State Gazette was feeling the effects of the Union blockade on Texas ports. Paper shortages necessitated a smaller format. Our War Size.—Until the blockade is removed from the Ports of Texas, … Continue reading

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April 7, 1861: Lincoln’s policy on Sumter

Governor Houston asks the Federal Government to maintain its troops in Texas. Meanwhile, troops are being sent to Fort Pickens in Pensacola, and there’s more speculation about Lincoln’s intentions for Fort Sumter. This report gets Lincoln’s policy about right — … Continue reading

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April 6, 1861: New newspapers — Fox vs MSNBC?

The Clarksville, Texas Standard reported two new newspapers on the same day. Newspapers of the time made no pretense of objectivity, as is apparent from these items. We are in receipt of a new paper published at Fort Smith, Arkansas, … Continue reading

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March 30, 1861: I am ready to lay down the office rather than yield to usurpation and degradation.

As Blue Gray Review has pointed out, the Texas Convention had assumed all the powers of government by this time. Texas Governor Sam Houston was called by the Convention to appear before it and take an oath of allegiance to … Continue reading

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March 27, 1861: Texas unionists

As we’ve seen earlier, the Alamo Express had little use for secessionists. Here they note approvingly that there are some home-grown union troops in town. Our dull and gloomy city was enlivened by a pleasant and stiring [sic] event on … Continue reading

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March 20, 1861: Divided opinion in Texas over the flag

Dallas Herald of March 20, 1861 wrote approvingly of the new Confederate Flag: DALLAS HERALD, March 20, 1861, p. 2, c. 4                 The Flag of the Confederate State.—Mr. Howard, of the firm of Howard & Buchardt, showed us this … Continue reading

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March 15, 1861: Texas vote fraud?

The unionist Alamo Express of San Antonio claims that the popular vote ratifying Texas’ secession was rigged. Actually the claim is a bit murky. First the editor claims that the low turnout makes the result invalid, then that people were … Continue reading

Posted in Secession, Texas | 2 Comments