Become a Supporter

You love history, I love history! It’s a great match, and I’m enjoying sharing historical news articles every day. Some are following a specific topic — like the US Civil War series — others range far afield or get very local.

You can buy me a coffee (or several if you like!) in appreciation.

Or consider becoming a sustaining supporter. You can do that via Patreon and subscribers get access to upcoming ebook content, the opportunity to request topics of your choice, and input into future projects. All that for a modest $3 or more per month!

Mr. Green in the Albion Balloon, Having Ascended from Vauxhall, 1842 (watercolor, artist unknown)

Mr. Green’s Balloon Ascent

On Monday evening Mr. C. Green, the veteran aëronaut, ascended in his balloon, "The Albion," from the gardens of the Royal Standard Tavern Albert Saloon, at Hoxton. It was announced…
St. Mark's Square, painting by Canaletto

Italian Life Among The Better Classes

A VENICE correspondent of an American journal writes as follows: The most interesting object in the world is man, or rather women, and that we care most to have or to read of l society. I do not mean now that “society” which half the world could give everything it possesses, including self-respect, to “get into,” but I use the word in a broader sense. It seems to me that the social life which we know in America does not exist in Italy. The visiting, the entertainments, the reunions scarcely are known here, in the sense I mean.

June 21, 1863 – The Rebels at McConnellsburg, Pa.—Help Themselves and Retire

McCONNELLSBURG, PA., June 19.—A detachment of Jenkins’s force, mounted infantry, under the command of Col. Ferguson, entered this place at four o’clock this morning. The rebels opened all she stores, helping themselves to boots, shoes, hats, provisions and every thing else they could carry away. The town was so completely taken by surprise that the citizens were unable to escape, and a large number of them tell into the rebels’ hands. The rebels also drove away about twelve thousand dollars worth of cattle. One of the rebels, in attempting to capture a horse, was shot through the neck by some unknown person. This so exasperated his companions that they threatened to burn the town, but desisted. They completely gutted the telegraph office, carrying away the instruments and all the messages. The operator made his escape.

Halts Rum-Running Dog

Inspector Finds Canine Violator Crossing International Bridge.

BROWNSVILLE, Tex., June 19 (AP).—Canine rum runners have appeared. The first of the new breed was stopped on the International Bridge here Friday night with a bottle of tequila tied to his collar.

Photo of General Robert Milroy. He is in a US uniform, has a mustache and full beard, and full hair swept upward in front.

June 20, 1863 – Pennsylvania Invaded!

ADVANCE OF THE REBELS UNDER GENERALS EWELL AND TRIMBLE.

BATTLES AT MARTINSBURG AND WINCHESTER.

EWELL REPULSED AND MILROY HOLDING OUT FOR REINFORCEMENTS

Ewell, Erans, Early, and Rhodes in Command of the Rebels.

Milroy Surrounded at Winchester, Cuts His Way Out to Harper’s Ferry.

THE REBELS AT CHAMBERSBURG.

THE NATION TO THE RESCUE.

HARRISBURG, June 15.

The rebels entered Chambersburg at 9 o’clock to-night.

HARRISBURG, June 15.—The telegraph operator left Chambersburg at 9 o’clock to-night, some time after the rebels had entered the town. His instrument is now in operation five miles east of Chambersburg, at Scotland Bridge. A. G. CURTIF.

THE STATE CAPITAL IN DANGER.

HARRISBURG, June 15.—Midnight. The rebels occupied Hagerstown at noon to-day. From there they advanced in three columns: one on the main road to Chambersburg, and one to the right, and one to the left. Each column has 5,000 cavalry, besides infantry and artillery.

Illustration of a large body of cavalry crossing a river.

June 19, 1863 – Movements Of The Confederates

HARRISBURG, June 18.—It is stated that a body of Confederates has gone from Cumberland, Maryland, to Romney, Virginia.

The authorities are busy organizing the troops, who continue to arrive in large numbers.

The work on the rifle-pits and fortifications on the other side of the Susquehanna is still going on. Much activity there, at Camp Curtin, and everywhere else in and about the city.

A sketch of Musolino produced around the time of his 1902 trial

Brigandage Increasing In Italy

Among the fruits of the unhappy condition into which exorbitant taxes, low wages, and other industrial evils have plunged the masses in Italy to-day is an increase in the number and activity of the robber bands infesting various parts of the kingdom. The excuse given by many of those who enter upon a life of brigandage is that the government takes every penny they earn by honest labor, and there is nothing left for them but to rob and plunder or die of starvation. Be that as it may, the brigand army is certainly being recruited at an alarming rate. It is said that in Sardinia alone last year nearly one hundred brigands were captured and some hundreds of followers arrested, including the mayors of several small towns! Southern Italy is infested, and the extent of the intimidation and robbery can hardly be grasped by the inhabitants of orderly communities.