Author Archives: SUMPTER

“the disruption of a great Government”

“and the ruin of an entire people” 150 years ago today the Union army attacked the outnumbered Army of Northern Virginia along the Petersburg-Richmond front. The rebel army retreated and the rebel government had to evacuate its capital. And Raphael … Continue reading

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“a dream of maniacs”

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 1, 1865: Saturday Morning…april 1, 1865. The occasional execution of a Confederate officer (alleged to be a spy) in the Northern cities affords the masses at home an opportunity of seeing the death-struggles of … Continue reading

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cold(-hearted) draft

Three clippings from Seneca County, New York newspapers in March 1865: The Terrors of the Draft. The hardships of the draft are being seriously felt in many parts of the State. – Families are broken up and in many cases … Continue reading

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“There has been great privation here — we need not deny it”

A fellow Richmond editor has died. The Dispatch has evidence from occupied Charleston to contradict President Lincoln’s second inaugural address: victorious Yankees would really act with malice toward all white Southerners. The paper also found evidence from General Sheridan’s recent … Continue reading

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“Happily, events are now approaching a crisis”

If the North wins the war, subjugates the South, and replaces the utopian slave labor system, the country will become “a howling wilderness.” Despite a reported prediction by General Grant, there is no evidence that Richmond is about to be … Continue reading

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A Virginian, (un)naturally

If the North wins the war, the credit/blame goes to General Winfield Scott, a native of Virginia and traitor to his state. The Union generals (and admirals) are tools carrying out General Scott’s war plans. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch … Continue reading

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“the whole country is ignorant of the impending calamity”

Another plucky Monday morning editorial from the Richmond Daily Dispatch on March 27, 1865: Monday morning…March 27, 1865. Our sincere condolences are respectfully proffered to Sir Frederick Bruce, the new British Minister to Washington. His predecessor, Lord Lyons, has been … Continue reading

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wheels of fortune

150 years ago this month the Confederacy had enacted a law to enlist slaves in Southern armies and was beginning the law’s implementation. The draft in the North to implement President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more troops was plodding along. … Continue reading

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puncture … patched

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: The Progress of the War. On Saturday morning just before daybreak, three divisions of the enemy made a sudden and determined attack on Fort Steadman, in front of Petersburg, overpowering … Continue reading

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information please

papers closed and mail disrupted The success of the Union armies is putting a big crimp in the newspaper business. Even though everything was reported quiet at Petersburg (although “consolidation” was imminent), the Southern mail wasn’t able to leave Richmond … Continue reading

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