Author Archives: SUMPTER

investigations

Posted on April 16, 2015 by SUMPTER

John Wilkes Booth was identified by a hat and a spur he left behind at the crime scene. From The New-York Times April 16, 1865: THE ASSASSINATION.; Additional Details of the Lamentable Event. WASHINGTON, Saturday, April 15. The assassin of … Continue reading →

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“the worst blow the confederacy has yet had”

Posted on April 15, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: WASHINGTON, April 15 – 11 A.M. At 20 minutes past 7 o’clock the President breathed his last, closing his eyes as if falling asleep, and his countenance assuming an expression of … Continue reading →

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vengeance

Posted on April 14, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was supposed to be a very good Good Friday, at least for the Union. In a celebratory ceremony 150 years ago today Robert Anderson raised the old Union flag from April 1861 over Fort Sumter, which was once again … Continue reading →

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grant them “unconditional forgiveness”

Posted on April 13, 2015 by SUMPTER

A publication in the Finger Lakes area of New York State pleaded for forgiveness and reconciliation for the returning rebels. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1865: The Amnesty. The terms extended to the Confederate officers and … Continue reading →

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no rest for the winner

Posted on April 11, 2015 by SUMPTER

After the April 9th surrender of General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, President Lincoln sure wasn’t looking for any triumphal celebrations or even resting on his laurels. He told a crowd on April 10th he would deliver a speech the … Continue reading →

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puppet show?

Posted on April 10, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865 (in same column as the April 9, 1865 written communication between Generals Lee and Grant regarding surrender): JAMES REDPATH, the abolition leader, now the Charleston correspondent of the New York Tribune, … Continue reading →

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“a sad peace-offering for us all”

Posted on April 9, 2015 by SUMPTER

From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapters 66 and 67): The head of Lee’s column came marching up there [near Appomattox Station] on the morning of the 9th, not dreaming, I suppose, that there were any Union soldiers near. … Continue reading →

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make love, and war

Posted on April 8, 2015 by SUMPTER

Spring’s not a bad time to celebrate the creative arts. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1865: A corporal of the 18th New Hampshire regiment was recently taken ill and sent to the hospital, and in a … Continue reading →

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dropped out at Farmsville

Posted on April 8, 2015 by SUMPTER

From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapter 66): This [General Lee’s letter of April 7th] was not satisfactory, but I regarded it as deserving another letter and wrote him as follows: April 8, 1865. GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding … Continue reading →

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home and way

Posted on April 7, 2015 by SUMPTER

Apparently a Medal of Honor recipient from Seneca Falls, New York was home on furlough during at least some of the dramatic events in the first part of April 1865. Two clippings from Seneca County, New York newspapers in April … Continue reading →

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