Not sure which forum to post this in, so I'll ask a favor, but then give a useful link, and maybe it will fit here.
First: if someone subscribes to Accessible Archives, would you be willing to do a lookup for me? I need one article, and they seem to be the only online database that has it.
It's from the
Colored American, 14 August 1841, and the article I need is titled
"Report on a Public Meeting at Utica by Benjamin S Anderson and James Fountain, Jr." Not sure how long it is, hopefully not too long.
Okay, in exchange for that favor, here's a website:
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/Everybody may already know about it, but it's got lots of historic newspapers online and searchable for free, with lots of good stuff. For example, I searched "shiloh" in 1862 Tennessee newspapers just to see what they were saying, and found this little tidbit:
"Secesh" Crinoline in Clarksville.
Notwithstanding the presence of the Lincoln soldiery in Clarksville, they have been unable to squeeze out the patriotism of the ladies of that city. A correspondent writes us as follows:
Secesh girls in Clarksville, Tennessee, are conquered but not subdued; for they have, right under the very noses of the Yankee oppressors formed themselves into a bona fide company well drilled, which they call, very appropriately and doubtless in derision of the well-known feats of said oppressors, "The Rebel Masked Batteries." They appeared on the street frequently in complete Confederate uniform, which consists of raither a short grey dress, blue stripes down the sides, coat sleeves, blue cuffs, tight waists, with blue lappels, standing collars, secession cravats, and the whole profusely trimmed with gold lace and brass buttons, ad infinitum. Turned up black hats with a long black feather in front, with a gold star and white buckskin gauntlets, complete the dress; deadly pistol and dagger; there are about seventy-five in the company. The Federals are on the qui vive to find out where the young ladies drill, but that they manage to conceal with woman's usual strategy. Hurrah, for the Clarksville girls.
We suggest that the Feds at Clarksville had "Better let the girls alone."
Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com