Posted inLocal Histories

Become a Supporter

You love history, I love history! It’s a great match, and I’m enjoying sharing historical news articles every day. Some are following a specific topic — like the US Civil War series — others range far afield or get very local.

Please consider becoming a sustaining supporter. You can do that via Ko-Fi or Patreon, whichever platform you prefer, and subscribers get access to all ebook content (more coming all the time), a chance to request topics of your choice, and some tiers get input into future projects. All that for a modest $3 or more per month!

Posted inDaily News Politics

Japan Called Big Winner in Russia Pact

LONDON—Hurried examination of the text of the soviet-Japanese treaty, received in London Monday night, reveals a number of new features.

It is disclosed for the first time that the soviet recognizes private ownership and freedom of commerce on the part of Japanese subjects, while Japan grants equal rights to soviet subjects.

Posted inUS Civil War

March 29, 1862 – Army Correspondence

Camp Butterfield, Hall’s Hill, VA, Feb. 24, 1862

Dear Register:—One month ago to­day in closing a communication for your paper I expressed the hope that I should soon have something of importance to about. Since that time glorious victories have been gained by our troops in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. Imperishable laurels have been won, and many brave hearts that then beat high with patriotic emotion, now sleep the sleep of the brave; and still the grand army of the Potomac maintains the “masterly inactivity” that has characterized it since the fatal rout at Bull Run.—Occasional reconnoisances, frequent rejoicings over victories, and a visit of the General in-Chief among the troops, are theonly incidents that have occurred to break the monotony of camp life. It has rained the greater part of the time, and almost all drill has been suspended excepting a little target practice, and occasionally a dress parade, when the mud is not too deep. On Saturday, the 22d inst., in compliance with an order from headquarters, all the regiments in this portion of the army were called out to listen to extracts from Washington’s Farewell Address. It was a scene calculated to awaken the liveliest emotions of patriotism.—While the chaplain read with a clear, sonorous voice the parting admonitions of the Father of his country the National airs came floating on the breeze from the bands of a dozen different regiments in the vicinity.

Posted inUS Civil War

March 27, 1862 – Letter from Capt. Kummel

Ossawotamie, Kansas, Feb. 17th, 1862.

Here I am on the battle-ground of old John Brown. The thaw setting in, on Monday we commenced forced marches, in order to cross the Osage river before the freshet would affect a rise in the water, but did not succeed, although I, with the right wing, (five companies) crossed on the ice. Must of our baggage and the whole train is yet on the other side, with all the provisions and stores. The ice is now gone, and the river risen 7 feet, so fording will be impossible for days to come. A communication, by canoe only has been established between our troops. We have had to cross several creeks—some on the ice and some by wading.

Although we should have reached Fort Scott on the 15th, we are yet 50 miles from it, and are hemmed in by the tributaries of the Osage, aa 1 encamped in a heavy piece of black walnut, hickory, and other timber,—Fires are, therefore, plenty, and big enough to roast an ox.

Posted inUS Civil War

March 25, 1862 – Camp Newspapers

Gen. Burnside, in his announcement of the capture of Newbern, said, —“we have taken a printing office, and shall start a daily newspaper.” He understands, not only how to win battles, but also how to make the most of his opportunities after his victories are secured. The North Carolinians round about Newbern will learn something from his daily paper. It will expose secession lies, and correct their false notions in regard to his purpose in visiting their state. It is the custom of our troops to start a paper wherever they capture a printing office and remain long enough to work it. They never lack men capable of doing anything that needs to be done. Several of these camp newspapers have found their way to our table.

From Leesburg, Va., comes “The Advance Guard,” published by the officers of the 28th Pennsylvania regiment. It is issued from the office of one of the secession papers there that have been suppressed by Col. Geary. The conductors say that one of their aims is to expose the infamous ‘’misrepresentations and fabrications” of their predecessors, they say of their enterprize:—

Posted inConnected Points

From Cabbages to Kings; From the Kitchen and Back Again

OG celebrity Chef, Alexis Soyer
OG celebrity Chef, Alexis Soyer

I was rewatching José Andrés’ documentary We Feed People (and please consider, if so inclined, a donation to World Central Kitchen) and started thinking about the impact celebrity chefs can have on the world, which sent me wandering down the rabbit holes of connectivity. 

We tend to think the celebrity chef is a creature of modern media, but in fact it goes back much earlier. One of the first modern celebrity chefs was Alexis Soyer, a Frenchman who made a name for himself in London high society. After working for a number of aristocratic families, he became head chef at the Reform Club, where his kitchen was famous enough – with innovations like gas cooking and refrigeration – that he conducted tours for the Great and Good.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

March 24, 1862 – The Monitor and the lost Frigates

A Fortress Monroe dispatch to the Philadelphia Inquirer says :

“It is not improper to state, while the eyes of the whole North are upon the Monitor, that her officers and crew are aware of the responsibility resting upon them, and that the greatest vigilance is constantly exercised. The round iron tower floats in such a position as to command the exit from Elizabeth river, and from a slender tube at one end of the ‘Yankee Cheese Box’ a jet of steam issues continually. The crew pace the iron clad deck, almost on a level with the surface of the water, and the glance of the watch sweeps the shores of Virginia from the unromantic ‘Pig Point’ to the rebel batteries at Craney island.