Map of Formosa

The Formosan Preparations

The Hawaiian Gazette, Oahu, HI, January 24, 1908 It is reported that the authorities are “greatly puzzled” at the warlike activity of Japan as shown in the creation of a…

A Sharp Pair of Thieves

The Evening Telegraph, Philadelphia, PA, January 23, 1867 About half-past 6 o’clock last evening a genteel-looking young man stepped into K. Fest’s jewelry store, No 141 North Eighth street, and…
Colored Currier & Ives lithograph of Fort Pickens

January 22, 1861 – The Pensacola Forts

The Daily Exchange, Baltimore, MD

Popular interest in warlike movements now centres nearer at home than when Charleston was the only point from which radiated the war excitements of the day. The immediate interest of at least three States—Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, is now becoming alive to the importance of occupying the forts within the borders of the latter Commonwealth. We see repeated at Pensacola, the manoeuvre of Anderson at Moultrie. There are three forts at Pensacola, a Navy Yard and a redoubt. Commandant Armstrong has abandoned the Navy Yard and Fort Barancas, removing munitions and spiking guns, and transferring his forces, amounting in the aggregate to between two and three hundred men, from the main land to Santa Rosa Island, has prepared to make good his position within the-immensely strong fortifications of Fort Pickens. Whether he has abandoned Fort McCree, also, we are not advised, but we doubt if he has. This fortress is a powerful and castle-like masonry erection, built on a low sand-spit of the main land, and appearing to rise out of the water. It is further seaward than Fort Pickens, of which it is the vis-a vis across the channel, and a vessel entering must needs run the gauntlet of its guns before approaching the latter, which, however, of itself, effectually closes the harbor against the admission of an enemy of even very heavy force.

Illustration of Kossoth in a Broadway parade in New York

Kossuth in America

The National Era, Washington, DC, January 22, 1852 The reception of the great Hungarian by the people of the United States is freely commented on by the English press. “The…

January 20, 1861 – Wm. H. Seward

Wm. H. Seward is now about sixty-two years of age. He is a man of clear and comprehensive intellect; a learned and able lawyer; an erudite scholar, and thoroughly versed in all the arts of political chicanery and management. In private life, his conduct is, so far as we know, irreproachable; in connection with the schemes and movements of party politics, he has ever been looked upon as selfish and contriving; subtle in design, unscrupulous in action; prepared to do and to dare all things necessary to the gratification of his criminal and lawless ambition.