Introduction

In many respects, 1862 was a particularly interesting year of the Civil War, especially in North Carolina. The initial excitement of the outbreak of war quickly faded, as did the prospect of a speedy conclusion, and life on the home front saw many changes. Acts by the Confederate congress and the election of a new governor brought sweeping change to the state while, for the first time in history, telegraphs quickly delivered news of battles and politics from abroad. Still though, the newspaper remained the primary means by which people learned about the events of the world around them and formulated their opinions and affiliations. Today, these newspapers offer an incredible glimpse into life in Civil War-era North Carolina, the hot topics of the day, and the political parties that held power. Two of the most widely read papers in 1862 were the Raleigh Weekly Standard and the Weekly Raleigh Register, which both had been print for over a decade before the outbreak of the war. Early in 1862, each paper printed similar articles, but as the year went on they became divided along several key issues, the most notable of which being Confederate conscription. By examining the divide between these two newspapers in 1862, this exhibit demonstrates that the Raleigh Weekly Standard both reflected and influenced public opinion in North Carolina more than the Weekly Raleigh Register.