Masked Batteries in Civil War Tales and Lessons
A veteran recounts 1861 Virginia campaigns and the fear of masked batteries. He notes how rumors inflated the danger, cites a brush concealed battery near the falls, and recalls the captain who argued concealment was common in defensive warfare and that ambushes raised similar questions about courage and risk. He emphasizes two wartime lessons learned.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Black Horse Cavalry
Virginia
Catpain
Comrades Since Boyhood and Other Tales From Indiana
A scanned Indiana newspaper piece recounts two veterans Ed McCloskey and Doc Cox from near Darlington. They served together in the Civil War, later held local offices, and received equal pension increases after Parliament. Also noted are anecdotes about Dean Russell’s honorary degree misread by a maid and Yale professor Henry Hadley’s absent minded father.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
American Tribune
Darlington
Ind
Ed McCloskey
McCloskey
Doc
Lieut. Cox
Capt. McCloskey
Lebanon Pension Board
Dean Russell
Teachers’ College
N. Y. Commercial
Medal of Honor Found for Kearsarge Hero After 40 Years
John Hayes, coxwain of the frigate Kearsarge, is formally recognized as the Medal of Honor recipient for the battle with the Alabama. The long-lost medal, stored in the Bureau of Navigation, is now being forwarded with $100 bounty to Hayes, who is aged and relies on a $12 monthly pension. The case links to notable naval figures Belknap and Winslow, both connected to a century old chain of commendations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
John Hayes
Kearsarge
Alabama
Bureau of Navigation
Washington
Congress
Lee Ain Te
Navy Department
Muscoda
Grant County
Wis
Navy
Department
Hayes
Secretary of the Navy
Live Soldier Tricks Cowed Guards to Flee
A Civil War veteran recalls a prank where he pretended to be dead among bodies at a camp, fooling two black relief carriers and provoking a chaotic pursuit. The tale ends with the officer narrowly escaping, costing him two weeks’ pay to settle the joke. The excerpt also notes Cairo pyramids attract tourists with fatigue and jeers for the pyramid limp, and a joke about a lawyer and a widow’s sister.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Sory
Relief Corps
Jim
Fall fashion notes predict long wraps and diverse coats
The piece surveys 19th century trends with long wraps, varied coats, and the shift from tight corsets. It highlights white trimmed coats, separate blouses, embroidered details, and the return of hand work. It also notes colored linens, diefferent gown fabrics, and the tourist wrap with matching accessories.
Changing fashion notes for autumn petticoats and belts
The article surveys autumn dress trends with emphasis on toilet finishing touches. It notes petticoats fuller from just above the knee with wider flounces and a shift to green mauve mulberry red and golden brown palettes. Wide belts and high back girdles dominate while kid belts remain favored for their pliability. Hand bags evolve with shopping bags Gress occasion bags and new colors such as burnt orange and mottled seal. The Peggy bag remains popular in leather varieties.
A Glimpse Into the Life of a Japanese Woman
The article surveys the ordinary Japanese woman midline between veiled East and independent West. It notes etiquette as central, schooling contrasts, domestic roles, and the limited woman’s sphere, with signs of change via educated daughters and wage earning, while questioning modern Western ideas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mousmee
Journalistic vanity and jokes swirl in a collage of clippings
A compilation of brief quotes and light anecdotes from era papers and readers. Jests about reporters, church weather, neighborhood stories, and humorous exchanges illustrate a snapshot of popular humor and social chatter. Notable vignettes touch on safety, family jokes, and old city life.
Humorous Snapshots From 19th Century Papers
A collage of quips and comic exchanges from various papers. The jests flash social norms, marriage dynamics, and gender roles through brief dialogue style gags, mock courtship, and wry remarks. Notable bits include a farm metaphor about pride, a wife defending her prerogative, and playful barbs on money and marriage.
Fall Colorings and Trimmings for Fall Fashion
The article notes mauve remains a fashionable color with lace as a striking pairing. Mauve and white foulards suit trimming in ecru or brown, while brown and green or blue and green schemes suit elaborate costumes. Velvet rises in use for suits and trims, plus epaulettes with lace and embroidery. Open-eyelet embroidery appears on velvet frocks. flouncings and soft buttons appear as trends. Ellen Osmond provides the piece amid era fashion notes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Ellen Osmonde
Magnetized Ship Survives Phosphorus Cloud Mystery
Captain Urquhart and crew recount a gray phosphorus cloud that enveloped the Delaware breakwater bound vessel, magnetizing bolts and chains, lifting hair, and hindering movement before the cloud lifted and the ship returned to normal. The Chicago Daily News suggests Russell Sage’s motive.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brian Sip Allulcanaeus
Delaware
Urquhart
Russell Sage
Chicago Daily News
Social Etiquette Shifts Under Victorian Royal Life
The article notes how early in the Victorian era the sovereign kept aloof from common social classes and hosted only a few peers. It cites the duchess of Cambridge declining an invitation due to rank and describes etiquette relaxing as society widened. Mr Gladstone in 1883 is referenced.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis
Bacon
Japan
Satan
Dukes of Sutherland
Argyll
Beaufort
Rutland
Duchess of Cambridge
Mr. Gladstone
Abedasinpnn and a House of Commons Leave Request
A fragmented excerpt recalls an 18th century scene where a speaker apologizes for omitting royal permission to quit Lord Alcester's party to attend to Commons duties. It notes past customs of royal presence during departures and compares to archbishop Howley’s era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aces
Lord Alcester
House of Commons
Howley
Canterbury
Also Mentioned on This Page
Indiana
Hadley
Yale
Seymour
Boston Post
Claims Medal OF Honor
John ‘Hayes
Ani
Cairo
Egypt
N. Y
Albany Journal
Pennsylvania
Teneriffe
Gobelin
Delft
Robin’s-Egg
Baquette
George Lynch
Su Umusual
Flyer
St. Louis Republic
Little Jim
Boston
Patrice
Yonkers
Marjorie
Hiawatha
Minnehahia
Minnehaha
Mr. Ha-Ha
Little Chronicle
Mamma
Yonkers Statesman
Raith
Cleveland
Philadelphia
Chicago Chronicle
Washington Star
the Rickleys
Jane
Detroit Free Press
Briggs—Castleton
Grasper
Griggs
Fred
Ally Sloper
State Street
Kinzie Street
Chicago Journal
Brown
Green
Cincinnati Enquirer
Star
Darling
Jack
Tam
N. Y. Herald
Sie
Philadelphia Press
John
Buffalo Commercial
Jesser
Bouncer
Zeb
Tommy
Brooklyn
Sorghum
Newcome
Paresis
Pete
Mike
Cincinnati_ Enquirer
Royal Etique
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!