This week in the Civil War: Oct. 6, 1863

Confederate quest for foreign recognition

Newspapers this week 150 years ago in the Civil War commented that Confederate hopes of securing English recognition for the seceding states appeared to be fading. Among the papers, the Lowell (Mass.) Daily Citizen and News reported on Oct. 6, 1863, that word had just come from England that latest Confederate diplomatic attempts in London angling for recognition met with little support. "The Richmond conspirators have exceedingly slim hopes of effective co-operation" from London, the paper reported. The paper noted that, at this stage in the war, perceptions were sharpening abroad that the conflict was in great part about destroying slavery. It added critics in England denounced any attempt to build warships for the Confederate states or supply them. In the end, no foreign government would recognize the Confederate states officially as an independent country. In New York, The Herald reported consternation this week over the more than 1,000 officer POWs from recent fighting near Chattanooga, Tenn., who had been crowded into Libby prison in Richmond, Va. The paper stated: "No arrangement has been made for the release of the officers held by the rebels as prisoners of war." The publication urged government authorities to arrange an exchange.