Events 1862The American Civil War - On June 25th, a series of battles took place. "It wasn't war; it was murder." Robert E Lee's Confederate army suffered more than 5,000 casualties against 3,200 by the Union army. One year later, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought and was the turning point of the war. The Confederates suffered 28,000 casualties, the Union 23,000 - the biggest battle in North American history. Europe Prince Albert had died Dec 14th 1861. In Germany, Bismark was about to come to power. On the high seas The last of the convict ships to Van Diemen's Land sail in 1862 with the stragglers arriving early the following year. Australia The previous November, the first Melbourne Cup had been won by Archer, and he was to win again this year, 1862. Tasmania Port Arthur prison was still in use, and was to be so for another 13 years. Hobart The Benevolent Society of Hobart had been founded in 1859 by Archdeacon Davies, of St David's Cathedral, and was warmly assisted in his benevolent object by a number of the leading residents of the city and also by other churches of whatever creed. The objects of the society were "to relieve the poor, the distressed and afflicted and thereby to discountenance, as much as possible, mendicity and vagrancy, and to encourage industry among the indigent, irrespective of religious creed or denomination." In its first year the Fund relieved 1789 persons - while only 40 applicants were refused aid, and in its 2nd year, just ended, of its 589 new recipients, 320 were children, many of whom had been abandoned. In a further endeavour to forestall possible future problems from these unfortunates, a Ragged School for children of the poor and needy was opened in Watchorn St, a street described in the Benevolent Society annual report as "a low neighbourhood." The Ragged School had 66 boys and 69 girls and its superintendent was the missionary, the indefatigable, Mr Gray. St David's Cathedral Archdeacon Davies was remitting the charges for pauper funerals. The people of Hobart 26th June 1862, The people read "The Mercury" - and, specifically, a Letter to the Editor. (and it is with this letter that this tale really begins) |