As I’ve been working on the Letters from War: 1861 project, I have come across many fascinating news articles and local history bits from across Pennsylvania’s Coal Region during the first year of the Civil War.

This is among my favorites.

In this article turned advertisement, the editors of the Luzerne Union in August 1861 pointed out that Reverend Thomas Hunt, chaplain to the 8th Pennsylvania regiment, had said that soldiers had found bad, adulterated liquor during their service in the US Army. The minister stated that this should warn off young men from drinking alcohol entirely.

On the contrary thought the editors of Wilkes-Barre’s Democratic aligned newspaper. They wrote this in response to Chaplain Hunt:

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We were reminded the other day of the importance of getting a good article [of whiskey], if you need any, by the reception of a demi-john of superior ‘old rye’ from the Mill Creek Distillery of Mr. W. K. Fisher [in Wilkes-Barre].

This establishment is now in thorough working order, having been fitted up with all the modern appliances; and is consequently turning out ‘critter’ pure and unadulterated.

Mr. Fisher uses nothing but good rye, and being thorough-going business man, his customers can always rely upon getting what they bargain for. We commend all who wish pure whiskey to this establishment.

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Read more history of alcohol in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region

Video: “A Wet Christmas” in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region | A Prohibition story from 1926

Visiting America’s Oldest Brewery | Yuengling in Pottsville, PA

The day beer returned to Schuylkill County | 1933

Lykens Civil War veteran’s death in 1869 illustrates post-war alcohol crisis

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