Posted inBiographical Maritime & Naval History US Civil War

July 5, 1861 – Death of Commander Ward

The death, by a ball from a rebel rifle, of Commander James H. Ward, of the U. S. Navy, made a mournful impress upon the faces of our citizens, yesterday. He was a native of this city and son of the late Col. James H. Ward, and well known to many of our older residents. He was commander of the Thomas Freeborn, a government steamer on the Potomac, and had superintended an expedition from his own vessel to erect a battery, when the rebels, in large numbers, suddenly emerged from the woods, and poured in a volley. Capt. Ward covered the retreat of his men, so far us possible, with his guns, and was shot through the breast with a rifle ball while in the act of discharging one of his pieces. He died an hour later, falling on the deck of Ins own vessel while discharging his whole duty lo his country.

Posted inBlack History Connected Points Maritime & Naval History

Connected Points Ep. 1 – Winter Storms and Abolition

History is generally thought of as a narrative of our past, but it’s also an infinite series of interconnected points. Disparate people, places, things, and events are all connected through a vast network of relationships spanning time and place. Shoes, ships, candle wax, cabbages and kings are all connected points, once you abandon a linear narrative and dive down the rabbit holes of history.

In this issue, what does a series of violent winter storms have to do with opium and a famous abolitionist? Let’s connect the dots.

Between December 14th and 27th, 1839, a series of three severe winter storms blew ashore  on the New England Coast. These storms caused the loss of more than 200 vessels, around 200 deaths, and damage to hundreds of other ships and port facilities. Loss in commercial shipping alone was estimated at $1,000,000, a 2024 equivalent of over $30 million. The storms also inspired at least two poets, but those are connections for another time.

Posted inArchaeology Travelers' Tales

“Antiques” Made to Order

Header for the article, featuring forged examples of a canopic jar, scarab, and figurings of a cat, dove, and fisherman in a boat.

The fabrication of forged antiquities has become one of the most profitable industries of modern Egypt. Every year more and more wealthy American and European tourists go to the sunny and salubrious land of the Pharaohs. Practically every one of these tourists wishes to take away some relic of the ancient Pharaohs as a souvenir. To supply this demand the modern Egyptians are working night and day making very attractive articles in the ancient style. The Egyptian law now requires that every person finding antiquities shall report the fact to the government, which reserves the right to purchase them. This law really favors the antiquity forgers, for they represent to their customers that they are offering them contraband goods, which offer usually has the effect of whetting the appetite to buy.

Posted inDaily News Railroads

Seven Killed, Scored Hurt in P. & R. Express Wreck Near Atlantic City

Express Train Plunges Over High Embankment After Running into Open Switch

ATLANTIC CITY, July 3.—An open switch sent seven persons to their death and resulted in injury to about 75 others, about half of them seriously, when the Camden-Atlantic City night express on the Philadelphia Reading railroad running at full speed, left the rails on a curve at Winslow Junction and rolled down an embankment. The dead and injured were from South Jersey, Philadelphia and vicinity. Nearly all of the injured were removed to this city.

John F. Walt, an operator who has been in the service of the company for twenty-four years, is in a state of collapse in his home at Hammonton, N. J. He is under the surveillance of the state police. The engineer of the express, Walter Westcott, is dead. He was killed instantly.

Posted inUS Civil War

July 3, 1861 – Latest War News

A skirmish took place near Romney, Va., on Wednesday last, between a small detachment of Col. Ashby’s Cavalry and a party of 67 of Lincoln’s Cavalry. Deluded by a professed deserter, they were led into an ambush and surrounded by Lincoln’s troops. Capt. Dick Ashby first encountered them with only 11 men. The Hessians demanded their surrender, to which Capt A. and his men replied with a discharge from their guns. The fight was severe, but Col. Ashby coming up with a squad decided the contest. The enemy ran, leaving 18 men dead and a number wounded. Col. Ashby lost two men, several wounded, among them himself and Capt. Ashby severely.

Posted inDaily News Local Histories

Parrot, Once Pure, Killed for Swearing

Slayer Fined For Executing Individual With Human Traits

EVANSTON, Ill., July 1.—When a parrot teaches itself to swear it becomes an Individual with human traits instead of just a parrot. This is the decision of Justice of the Peace H. G. Williams.

Rutheda, the parrot of Mrs. Bertha Flugge, “was the purest and most clean-minded thing I ever saw” before it flew away from her, according to Mrs. Flugge.