How Dry I Am: Prohibition in the Confederate Capital during the Civil War BY ROBERT F. HANCOCK
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The Drinking scene in Antebellum Richmond
ichmond,Virginia, in 1860 had a population of approximately 38,000, the third largest city in the South after New Orleans and Charleston. That population increased to more than 100,000 during the War. In 1860 the city boasted 13 brass and iron foundries, 56 tobacconists, 17 tobacco and cigar makers, nine tobacco mills, seven tobacco warehouses, and one tobacco exchange.
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Besides the expected grocers, clothiers, lawyers, doctors, etc., there were also four ambrotypists (photographers), one piano forte maker, five guano dealers, four cuppers and leechers, and one bird dealer. To satisfy the thirsty drinking crowd, the city boasted 88 saloons and 30 restaurants, all but six with accompanying drinking establishments. That is more licensed saloons than the number of dry goods merchants and hotels combined. According to the city directory, there were also 19 liquor and
