Category Archives: Military Matters

wheels of fortune

150 years ago this month the Confederacy had enacted a law to enlist slaves in Southern armies and was beginning the law’s implementation. The draft in the North to implement President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more troops was plodding along. … Continue reading

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puncture … patched

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: The Progress of the War. On Saturday morning just before daybreak, three divisions of the enemy made a sudden and determined attack on Fort Steadman, in front of Petersburg, overpowering … Continue reading

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“pride & patriotism”

The South needed patriotic and heroic farmers to cultivate the land despite Yankee plunder and destruction. Refugees crowded into Richmond ought to move back to the country. Even as more and more cities were evacuated to the Union armies, the … Continue reading

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foreign matter

150 years ago today on March 19, 1865 The New-York Times disagreed with foreigners who believed that the defeat of the main Southern armies would only mean the beginning of a protracted guerrilla war. The Times confidently predicted the breaking … Continue reading

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regarding slaves and savages

150 years ago today President Lincoln expressed his views on what it meant for slaves to fight for the Confederacy and took action against “savage warfare.” From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: ADDRESS TO AN INDIANA … Continue reading

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patronage progress

The Civil War increased job opportunities for women – and not just as nurses, spies, and disguised soldiers. The large numbers of men serving in the armed services created job openings at home. Women worked with men in at least … Continue reading

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“Progress of the war.”

The Confederacy was in crisis, but Congress had apparently been content to finish up its legislative session and head home. President Davis asked them to stay, and 150 years ago today he laid out the important matters that Congress needed … Continue reading

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Brevet Major McDonald

Most of the 50th New York Engineers are still participating in the siege of Petersburg and James H. McDonald of Seneca Falls is still in the news. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: BREVETED [sic] MAJOR. … Continue reading

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hold the applause

self-congratulatory applause, that is The following seems to have been published right around Inauguration Day 1865. Several Northern cities apparently held celebrations for recent victories and to mark President Lincoln’s second inauguration. New York’s was postponed two days because of … Continue reading

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rebels threaten frontier

It seems like the Confederates were under siege or on their heels just about everywhere 150 years ago this week. … except for Canada? From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: FRONTIER DEFENCES. – Brig. Gen. John … Continue reading

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