Author Archives: SUMPTER

capture the flags

Posted on March 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

Some time after the Union Army of the Shenandoah captured most of Jubal Early’s rebel force at the Battle of Waynesboro, Union General Sheridan sent Major Compson of the 8th New York Cavalry to Washington, D.C. to deliver captured battle … Continue reading →

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Yankee smugness

Posted on February 28, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 28, 1865: Treatment of the conquered Confederates–Handsome offer. The New York Times has an article on subjugation, which ought to have a place all to itself. It is the most refreshing instance of Yankee … Continue reading →

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poor conscription

Posted on February 27, 2015 by SUMPTER

After four years of war it was hard to scrounge up enough new recruits to satisfy the Union government’s draft quotas. The Seneca Falls supervisor was recruiting in New York City. Men were available, but there wasn’t enough money to … Continue reading →

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draft dilemmas

Posted on February 26, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month another Union draft was rapidly approaching, but a local town still didn’t know what its quota would be. The town supervisor was down in New York City headhunting for recruits to fill his town’s requirements. … Continue reading →

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fishy business

Posted on February 25, 2015 by SUMPTER

A presumably Democrat paper criticized President Lincoln for using his power of pardon to release a former Baltimore Provost Martial who was convicted of abusing his power. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in February 1865: COL. FISH PARDONED. … Continue reading →

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from the quagmire

Posted on February 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Civil War has changed America in some ways over the last four years, but Yankees are still firing off cannon to honor Washington’s birthday. And rain makes Virginia “one vast quagmire” – the Dispatch doesn’t anticipate General Grant trying … Continue reading →

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old news …

Posted on February 23, 2015 by SUMPTER

Not exactly good news for the rebel cause From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: The War in the Southwest. CAIRO, Feb. 21. – The Memphis Bulletin learns from gentlemen who left Selma, Ala., on the 14th ult., … Continue reading →

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Cumberland catch

Posted on February 21, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a rebel raid surprised a couple Union generals, who were then sent off to Libby Prison for a month. General-in-Chief Lee reported that no shooting was necessary From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in February … Continue reading →

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Save Our South!

Posted on February 20, 2015 by SUMPTER

I guess desperate times really do call for desperate measures. In its Monday morning editorial the Dispatch calls for the Confederate Congress to let General Lee use slaves as soldiers in exchange for their freedom. As you can read, the … Continue reading →

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tough “tug of war” ahead

Posted on February 19, 2015 by SUMPTER

It seems like it was a rough week 150 years ago for the Palmetto state, the first star on the Confederate flag. Columbia, South Carolina’s capital fell to Sherman’s army and much of the city burned. The next day Charleston, … Continue reading →

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