Author Archives: SUMPTER

War power to ya

Posted on March 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

Inter arma leges silent. As the 37th Congress closed on March 4, 1863 Northerners were aware that Congress had recently granted the President greatly increased power in order to put down the rebellion and restore the Union. Both the New … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flour Power

Posted on March 5, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 5, 1863: Flour impressment. Major Tannahill, the Commissary of Post at Petersburg, received on Tuesday last an order to impress all the extra superfine flour in the possession of millers and merchants in that … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, American Culture, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment

unoriginal devil

Posted on March 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

The following article finds that there was a British template for President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Twenty-five years earlier a writer in Fraser’s magazine suggested a crusade to free American slaves as the only way the United Kingdom had a chance … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Still trusting the old ship

Posted on March 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

The New York 33rd Volunteer Infantry has less than three months remaining in its two year enlistment. Here’s a letter home from a member of the 33rd. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863: Patriotic Letter from a … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“a woman on each arm”

Posted on March 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

A couple days ago we read a report about a courageous and loyal Confederate soldier who deserted because he was concerned about his wife’s welfare. The deserter was executed. Here’s information from 150 years ago this week that indicates some … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Union Ninth

Posted on February 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Union IX Corps left the Army of the Potomac in February, 1863. It would eventually make its way to Vicksburg in June to support the siege. Here’s a couple photos of its departure at Aquia Creek: And what it … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Military Matters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tug of War

Posted on February 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 27, 1863: A solemn warning to wives. –A correspondent of the Selma Reporter relates a story which should serve as a solemn warning to the wives of soldiers. He says a few weeks ago … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged | Leave a comment

Non-exempt

Posted on February 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

Actions speak louder than “animus” One of the weaknesses of the Confederate conscription acts is said to have been widely abused exemptions. Here a Confederate judge decided against two native Virginians who claimed exemption on the ground that they were … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

North by Key West

Posted on February 25, 2013 by SUMPTER

I missed this as I was combing through the Seneca County, New York newspaper clippings from 1863: We are rejoiced to learn of the safety of our young friend John Arnett, who was known to have been on board the … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Naval Matters | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monday Holiday

Posted on February 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday President Lincoln thought it propitious that Washington’s Birthday coincided with the Christian sabbath. This article encourages Gothamites to make it a long weekend – despite the snowstorm. From The New-York Times February 23, 1863: LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.; … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American History, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment