150 YEARS AGO: Civil War Years

Rome Area History Museum volunteer Dennis Nordeman is compiling notable local news items related to the Civil War in commemoration of the war’s sesquicentennial to be shared each week:

Week ending Sept. 13, 1862 September 1st correspondence from the Rome Light Guards indicated they “have been in the midst of stirring and important movement events” on the plain of Manassas. From there they marched toward Gainesville then Centreville finally to be led into conflict by Capt. Dawson. “This was an awful bloody, yet glorious day to the Confederate Army. Our loss was tremendous but the enemy had been driven back … . It is now reported that our forces have crossed Bull Run and that the enemy is in full retreat …”

A full first hand report of the confederate victory at the Second battle of Manassas was published in the Saturday issue.

President Davis issued a proclamation that Thursday Sept. 18th would be a day of “Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the great mercies vouchsafed to our people …”

A letter from Leavenworth, Kansas to the Northern Press states that the Yankee troops have occupied the capital of the Cherokee Nation and arrested John Ross who had issued a call for the Cherokees to take service as Confederate soldiers.

The death of Lt. T.D. Attaway (Sharp Shooters) and J.M. Jack (Light Guards) during the Battles of Manassas was published.