Tag Archives: James H. McDonald

Brevet Major McDonald

Posted on March 12, 2015 by SUMPTER

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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“annihilated by their own stomachs”

Posted on August 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

Captain James H. McDonald of the 50th New York Engineers has already served in the war for over three years. He recovered from being wounded in the arm at Fredericksburg. In this recruiting letter he promoted the Engineers as being … Continue reading →

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bridge engineers

Posted on July 5, 2014 by SUMPTER

News filtered back that a soldier from Seneca Falls and his men did good work building a bridge for the Army of the Potomac in June. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in July 1864: THE 50TH N.Y. ENGINEERS. … Continue reading →

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good time in the grove

Posted on July 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: FOURTH OF JULY IN TYRE. – The patriotic citizens of Tyre have procured a monument which is to be erected to the memory of the deceased Soldiers from that town. It … Continue reading →

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sick and beyond sick

Posted on October 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

Back in August Dr. Charles Hoyt wrote a letter praising the valor of the New York 126th’s color bearers’ at Gettysburg. The surgeon caught a fever and had to come home to recuperate. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading →

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The greenbacks are coming!

Posted on April 17, 2013 by SUMPTER

Last year I wondered how a local newspaper could know very accurately how much money was being sent home by Union volunteers. Apparently much of the money was funneled through a soldier’s captain, and the captain told the press. From … Continue reading →

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Present Arms

Posted on March 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper, presumably sometime in early 1863: Presentation to Capt. McDonald. Capt. JAS. H. MCDONALD, of the 50th Regiment, received on Monday evening, a very substantial present at the hands of his fellow-citizens, for gallant … Continue reading →

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Localized Tally

Posted on December 14, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Federal and Confederate generals were deciding their next steps in the aftermath of the December 13th slaughter at Fredericksburg, news of which would start making its way back to the public(s) at large. Here’s a couple … Continue reading →

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Why They Moved Hospital

Posted on December 11, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today General Burnside’s Union Army of the Potomac tried to cross the Rappahannock to attack General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in the vicinity of Fredericksburg. You can read a good account at Civil War Daily Gazette. … Continue reading →

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The Perilous Chesapeake

Posted on August 25, 2012 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in August 1862: Letter from Capt. McDonald. We are permitted to publish the following extract from a letter written by Capt. MCDONALD to his wife in this village: FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 25, 1862. … Continue reading →

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