Newspapers
Newspapers with written accounts about Richmond, VA during the Civil War.
The Newspapers from Richmond during the time of the Civil War are probably the richest source of information on prisons, hospitals, and the environment in Richmond that can be found. Here, you will find many articles on various subjects, arranged chronologically, as well as by paper. Entire newspapers have not been transcribed, only articles chosen at my own discretion. Every effort has been made to include Northern accounts, though they, of course do not go into detail on Richmond sites and events as much.
All the articles here have been cross-referenced in the pages that deal with them. For example, an article on Libby Prison would also be found on the Libby Prison page. There are several articles here, however, that have no other logical place and thus this is the only place you might find them on this site. Examples of this would be general descriptions of the city, and other incidents that give a glimpse into what life was like, but do not deal directly with any physical site. All articles have been here arranged chronologically so that all incidents may be placed within some sort of context.
Latest newspaper articles
- 1879-08-27, further details on the burning of Castle Thunder. No lives lost, extensive account of insurance of various buildings
- 1866-09-13, notes on cemetery interments from Cholera at Shockoe and “Mechanics” (colored) Cemeteries, notes that the Freedmen’s Bureau uses Mechanics Cemetery for burials of “deceased negroes” (Chimborazo)
- 1879-08-26, Richmond Dispatch; Castle Thunder and adjoining building burn down spectacularly. Important and lengthy description of the fire. United States Hotel mentioned
- 1871-05-31, description of Decoration Day at Richmond National Cemetery. “Three colored volunteer companies” and “an immense crowd (consisting for the most part of colored persons)” take part in the festivities
- 1872-03-30, Patrick Hart, Superintendent of Richmond National Cemetery, transferred to the Battle-Ground National Cemetery, D. C. William Wright of Fort Harrison National Cemetery to transfer to Richmond.
- 1872-04-10, Major Patrick Hart has been reinstated as Superintendent of Richmond National Cemetery “in recognition of his services as a battery commander in the Federal army.”
- 1875-08-16, fight between R. A. Wallace, superintendent of the Richmond National Cemetery, and another man on 17th street. Both men arrested.
- 1875-05-10, Major B. F. Hart, superintendent of Richmond National Cemetery, has horse accident on Main Street, not hurt
- 1869-05-22, official notice of the Decoration Day festivities at Richmond National Cemetery. Coaches running from the “eastern terminus of the city railway.” Col. H. S. Merrill of the Freedmen’s Bureau is on the Committee of Arrangements.
- 1866-05-08, Cold Harbor National Cemetery has been dedicated by a flag-raising. Cemetery is “on the farm of Mrs. Slaughter”
- 1868-06-01, W. A. Hoppe, former keeper of the Chimborazo Bath House, and Richmond Unionist, states that he is only the half brother of the man in the Trueman-Hoppe case
- 1868-06-01, General Schofield, military commander of Richmond, leaves Richmond to accept office of Secretary of War. Praise for him having “carried out the reconstruction laws faithfully”
- 1868-06-01, description of Decoration Day activities at Richmond National Cemetery. Article slightly critical of the proceedings, notes that 3000 participants, only 400 white and that the speakers used words “libelling us and insulting our own noble dead”
- 1870-05-31, description of Decoration Day at Richmond National Cemetery - notes that "many colored people" attended the ceremonies
- 1876-05-31, description of Federal Decoration Day at Richmond National Cemetery, with lengthy description of the cemetery and details of burials
- 1868-05-30, Belvedere Baptist Church, where Bread Rioters once met, now too small for church purposes, and “is in wretched repair.”
- 1865-10-07, Anglo-African; Union spy Mary Jane Richards, using pseudonym 'Richmonia Richards,' describes wartime Richmond to an audience in New York.
- 1865-09-25, Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle; Union spy Mary Jane Richards, using pseudonym 'Richmonia R. St. Peirre,' describes Richmond during the war.
- 1864-09-05, Richmond Dispatch; Mayor's Court cases reported on September 5, 1864
- 1864-09-05, Richmond Dispatch; Man robbed by Yankee deserters - being a negro he is incompetent to testify against white men so the robbers are released
A Rebel War Clerk's Diary
James Robertson wrote in the Editor's Preface: "Michael D. Gorman, who knows more about the citizens of Civil War-era Richmond than anyone who ever lived, was of inestimable assistance. Scattered throughout the notes are references to individuals that only Mike could have identified. He is truly a credit to the National Park Service."
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What's New
Latest articles added to the site from all sources..
"Richmond in 1865"
Michael Gorman talks about Richmond, Virginia, in 1865 and what historians could learn from photographs from the period on CSpan
A Conqueror or a Peacemaker? Abraham Lincoln in Richmond
MICHAEL D. GORMAN
The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 123, No. 1 (2015), pp. 2-88
The Fall of Richmond
Mike Gorman talks about the fall of Richmond that began April 2, 1865 and the evacuation fire that followed.
Lincoln in Richmond
Mike Gorman talks to The Richmond History Podcast host Jeff Majer about President Abraham Lincoln’s historic trip to Richmond less then 48 hour after the evacuation of the Confederate Government.
Reconstruction at Chimborazo
Mike Gorman talks about reconstruction in Richmond focusing on what was the former Chimborazo Hospital.
Civil War Life in Richmond
Mike Gorman discusses life in Richmond during the Civil War on the Richmond History Podcast