Author Archives: SUMPTER

prison necrology

Posted on December 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times December 17 1864: THE PRISON PENS IN THE SOUTH; Necrology of the Union Captives. The Dead at Savannah, at Florence and at Andersonville. Leaves from a Diary Kept at Florence, South Carolina. Glimpses of Life in … Continue reading →

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unrepentant

Posted on December 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: A DESERTER named “French Bill” was hung at Harper’s Ferry a short time ago. The gallows was one of the old fashioned kind, with trap-door, &c. Three thousand soldiers witnessed … Continue reading →

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“Yankee exploding ball”

Posted on December 15, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 15, 1864: Accident from fire-arms. –Yesterday afternoon, a little free negro boy, named Lewis Harris, was seriously injured in one of his hands by the explosion of a Yankee exploding ball, in the Second … Continue reading →

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leaden sky ledger

Posted on December 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

As a Richmond paper tallied the military balance sheet for 1864, the conclusion was inescapable – the South had had a great year. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: The Military Account Current Between North and South … Continue reading →

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no relief

Posted on December 12, 2014 by SUMPTER

Secretary of State William H. Seward was not going to let the British distribute aid to rebels in Union prison camps. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 12, 1864: The British Relief Fund for Confederate prisoners — Seward Refuses to … Continue reading →

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grand idea

Posted on December 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

Actually, over two grand From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: Arrested for Forgery. Lieut. H.C. Furniss, of Waterloo, is now under arrest at Elmira, charged with forging the name of Provost Marshal Knapp, of this district, … Continue reading →

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“true olive branch”

Posted on December 10, 2014 by SUMPTER

The December 10, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly (at Son of the South was impressed by General Sherman’s operations in Georgia. Here’s an excerpt: SHERMAN’S MARCH. THE campaign of General SHERMAN is striking and daring, but not more so than … Continue reading →

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“virtual defeat”

Posted on December 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat-leaning publication in upstate New York was skeptical about claims of a Union victory at the Battle of Franklin. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: The Battle at Franklin. The battle of Franklin, Tenn., on … Continue reading →

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Samuel Oliver

Posted on December 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently 150 years ago this month the body of a soldier arrived home before word of his death. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: DEATH OF A SOLDIER. – The remains of Corporal Samuel Oliver of … Continue reading →

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behavioral economics

Posted on December 6, 2014 by SUMPTER

And General Sherman (hey, it’s December 1864). On the same day that President Lincoln nominated Salmon P. Chase to serve as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court he presented Congress with his annual message. You can read about Mr. … Continue reading →

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