1862 Fredericksburg Newspapers

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

I've been compiling information regarding the military career of John Tomney (aka John Tommy) of the 70th New York Volunteers. He was an exceptional soldier of Chinese decent who had a full time in the service of the Army of the Potomac. He was a POW, nurse, corporal, youngster, and to some extent even an American.

I'm specifically interested in investigating a claim that was made during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign:

"Here Tommy became a great lion, and his picture was published in the Fredericksburg papers."

I'd really love to find the original article with the photograph in it but I have no idea what newspapers were in circulation during what would have been March-May 1862?. Can anyone help a fellow out?

Thanks,

Jason

[ewtaylor]

Re: 1862 Fredericksburg Newspapers

check out this link:

http://members.aol.com/gordonkwok/cacwpart9.html

Its a forum where one guy says he has found newspaper articles about your Mr. Tomney.
good luck
everett taylor

[Dignann]

Re: 1862 Fredericksburg Newspapers

Jason,

The only newspaper published in Fredericksburg during that period was The Christian Banner, a Unionist periodical that ran May - August 1862 while the town was under occupation. An index for the paper can be found on a website maintained by the University of Mary Washington. A scan of this index fails to turn up Tomney's name. I can also tell you that the Banner did not publish engravings or images, as it was a pretty low budget operation.

What is the source for the quote you posted above?

Eric

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: 1862 Fredericksburg Newspapers

This is odd news.. The quote listed above comes from an article in the 9th Edition of the New York World and also the Chicago Tribune, Monday, July 13, 1863, page 2. Both state the photograph in the paper.

Also a similar more detailed article entitled “China At Gettysburg” was written for the Daily Alta California on 5 August 1863 outlining Tomney's short-lived life but did not make the photograph claim.

I've also doubled checked the dates and stated in New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912, the date would have been between March 17-April 1o, 1862.