Category Archives: Uncategorized

winter break

Posted on March 13, 2014 by admin

Apparently Old Man Winter put a crimp in old man Sumpter’s plans today.

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Friends indeed?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

The February 27, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South discussed whether Quakers should be exempted from the draft on conscientious grounds. The editorial respected the Quakers for their beliefs but realized that if anyone could claim … Continue reading →

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stung on the ‘underground railroad’

Posted on February 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond embalmer was charged with helping to conduct Confederate deserters north with his coffin wagon. He was caught as part of a sting operation conducted by the police. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 13, 1864: Local Matters. Bribery … Continue reading →

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From DC to the Cooper

Posted on February 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

It certainly wasn’t a novelty for New York City’s Cooper Institute to host an abolitionist presentation, but 150 years ago this week the speaker was Anna Elizabeth Dickinson, the first woman to speak before the U.S. Congress. It looks like … Continue reading →

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“childish despondency”

Posted on January 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

Late in 1863 the Confederate Congress abolished substitution – those conscripted could no longer hire replacements to serve in the CSA army. The Congress went further (third paragraph) in January 1864 by requiring “that men who had hired substitutes report … Continue reading →

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those duplicitous abolitionists

Posted on December 14, 2013 by SUMPTER

Nowadays Voodoo economics is a well-known phrase to question your political opponent’s intellectual ability or honesty. 150 years ago a Southern editorial said abolitionists’ claims that they wanted to free slaves was “moonshine philanthropy” – abolitionists really just wanted to … Continue reading →

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sewer escape

Posted on November 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

Morgan’s Raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio during June and July of 1863 ended when Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was captured on July 26th. He escaped from the clink about four months later. From The New-York Times November 29, … Continue reading →

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sidewalks are for white folks

Posted on November 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

And blacks can’t congregate about their churches, even on Sundays This piece made me think of the white settlers in Humboldt County, California back in April 1861. U.S. troops were fighting and killing the troublesome Indians. An editorial said the … Continue reading →

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“Be he miser or patriot”

Posted on October 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

Here’s an example of an individual state trying to deal with the Confederacy’s rapid increase in the money supply. The Virginia Legislature was working on a scheme that would allow the national government to slow the printing of money by … Continue reading →

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fact check

Posted on September 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month The Old Guard published the following: William H. Seward delivered his “irrepressible conflict” speech in 1858. Daniel Webster died in 1852. Abolitionists felt betrayed by Webster’s support of the Compromise of 1850 and its Fugitive … Continue reading →

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