Newspaper reporters during the Civil War disseminated lies, rumor and propaganda. In addition, the press both North and South released intelligence detrimental to both causes. Politically the media could ruin anyones reputation or career. Davis and Lincoln both attempted to suppress the reporting, but were unsuccessful. This writer does not see much difference between the correspondents during the Civil War and those of today. I smile when I reflect on Sherman’s view of embedded reporting.
Bummer
“If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.”
“I hate newspaper men. They come into camp and pick up their camp rumors and print them as facts. I regard them as spies, which, in truth, they are.”
William Tecumseh Sherman
