Author Archives: SUMPTER

James River battle

Posted on January 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

In January 1865 the Confederate navy on the James River attempted to attack and destroy the Federal supply depot at City Point in order to help lift the siege of Richmond and Petersburg. The Confederate fleet was stopped at the … Continue reading →

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three star flag

Posted on January 23, 2015 by SUMPTER

The 160th New York Infantry fought in Louisiana through 1863 and during the Red River campaign in the first months of 1864. It then got to Virginia in time for the Battle of Snicker’s Ferry. The Regiment wouldn’t be mustered … Continue reading →

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peace signs

Posted on January 22, 2015 by SUMPTER

About 150 years ago people up in this neck of the woods could read about some rumored peace maneuvers. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865: More Peace Rumors. The telegraph of Thursday evening gives us more … Continue reading →

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bored of war

Posted on January 21, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Richmond’s Dispatch was full of Northern accounts of the the fall of Fort Fisher. The editors spun the resultant closing of the port of Wilmington as economically advantageous: The fall of Fort Fisher, and the subsequent … Continue reading →

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friendly request

Posted on January 19, 2015 by SUMPTER

President Lincoln was trying to please his son Robert, his wife Mary, and his general Grant. He seems pretty confident that the war will soon and finally come to an end. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume … Continue reading →

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“The Rebels fought like fiends”

Posted on January 17, 2015 by SUMPTER

John Arnett, a young man from Seneca Falls, New York serving in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, has already had some notable experiences. His ship the Westfield was blown up on New Year’s Day 1863 during the Battle … Continue reading →

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break: cold comfort

Posted on January 16, 2015 by SUMPTER
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“put our trust in the God of Battles”

Posted on January 15, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: PATRIOTIC LETTER FROM AN IRISH SOLDIER. The following is an extract from a letter written by John Graham, of this village, to his friend James Hughes, dated City Point, Va., Jan. … Continue reading →

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don’t jump

Posted on January 14, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865: Heading off the Bounty Jumpers. The Elmira Advertiser says Maj. J. Ladd, Paymaster U.S. Army, has been stationed at Elmira, for the purpose of taking charge of the money received … Continue reading →

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“An army of harmless Yankees”

Posted on January 13, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865: STATISTICS OF LIBBY PRISON. – An army of harmless Yankees have passed through Richmond within the year just expiring. – From the statistics of the clerk of Libby Prison, Mr. … Continue reading →

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