Recruiting renewed: Albany and the Summer of 1862
Introduction
Two Albany newspapers, the Evening Journal and the Atlas & Argus, open a window to the past through which we can view the events of that summer in Albany. The Evening Journal was owned by Thurlow Weed, an influential Republican and a supporter of Abraham Lincoln. The Argus was the local Democratic paper, with its writings leaning toward that party. Utilizing the two newspapers allows us to learn how the people of Albany responded to war related events of that summer. As part of the Albany community, the New York State Normal School shared in the city's experience of raising troops. Through these newspapers, we can develop a context in which to place the creation of the "New" Company E. Placing the organization of the Normal School Company into Albany's community context allows us to illuminate the experience of the company and understand the environment in which it was raised and the community it represented.