Author Archives: SUMPTER

September surprise?

Democratic politician John Dix was a Union general during the Civil War and in 1868 was serving as American Minister to France. In early September he sent a letter to friend in New York City. Mr. Dix wanted to deny … Continue reading

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rigging vigorously

150 years ago this month three New York City newspapers published reports of alleged voter fraud. It seems that the October 10, 1868 issue of Harper’s Weekly is saying that the legal process of naturalization was being corrupted by men … Continue reading

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Sedgwick statue dedicated

According to Harper’s Weekly, 150 years ago today a statue of Union General John Sedgwick was dedicated at West Point. At least as of 2008 the monument was still standing. ________________________ John Sedgwick was killed at Spotsylvania on May 9, … Continue reading

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tsunami?

On October 13, 1868 voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana elected Republicans in state races by substantial margins. The Democrats were reportedly in such deep distress that they considered replacing Horatio Seymour as their nominee for the U.S. Presidency, possibly … Continue reading

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circular logic

Apparently in 1492 most educated Europeans knew that the earth was spherical. The Atlantic Ocean was beginning to be explored; the technology of the mariner’s compass made it easier to figure out which way you were going, and “a certain … Continue reading

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not in their backyard

In its September 22, 1868 issue the The New-York Times published a report of political violence in southeastern Georgia that occurred on September 19th. A couple of Republican politicians traveled to Camilla for a rally. As they neared the town … Continue reading

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late summer of ’68

Some headlines from early September 1868. Statewide elections in Vermont resulted in large Republican majorities. The Georgia legislature expelled twenty-five black representatives (New York Times September 4, 1868). After a conference at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Union General William … Continue reading

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dragon visit

In 1861 President Abraham Lincoln appointed Anson Burlingame as minister to the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China from 1644 to 1912. “Burlingame worked for a cooperative policy rather than the imperialistic policies of force which had been used during the … Continue reading

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R.I.I.P.

I wished that I were the owner of every southern slave, that I might cast off the shackles from their limbs, and witness the rapture which would excite them in the first dance of their freedom. – Thaddeus Stevens, 1837 … Continue reading

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Boston at New York

From my growing up I had heard about Zouave units associated with the American Civil War but didn’t know much more about it. According to Wikipedia it wasn’t until 1859 that Zouaves were brought to the American public attention when … Continue reading

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