Author Archives: SUMPTER

‘elections have consequences’

James S. Wadsworth was the unsuccessful Republican candidatefor New York State governor in 1862. After his defeat he continued to serve in the Union army. He was mortally wounded on May 6, 1864 during the Battle of the Wilderness. He … Continue reading

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that big right turn

In his 1920 memoirs William Meade Dame remembered that his unit, the Richmond Howitzers, were bystanders and observers during the Battle of the Wilderness. However, 150 years ago tonight, they were in the vanguard as General Lee raced to get … Continue reading

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wild odds

May 6, 1864 was another bloody day during the Battle of the Wilderness. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: LOSSES IN THE 111TH REGIMENT. – The 111th Regiment, New York Volunteers, Col. MC DOUGALL, now with … Continue reading

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racing for Richmond?

You can read all about Day One of the Wilderness at Civil War Daily Gazette. I was a little surprised that even on the May 7, 1864 front page of The New-York Times, with mostly May 6th datelines, the reports … Continue reading

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rapidan, rubicon

150 years ago today the Union Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan. As I was looking at the two images said to be of General Grant telegraphing the news of the crossing (here and here) I sort of thought … Continue reading

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win it for the world

150 years ago this week a Richmond paper reprinted that part of a piece by the New York Herald that wondered what would happen if Lieutenant General Grant actually failed in the upcoming Virginia campaign. Factionalism might possibly keep the … Continue reading

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no more fiddling

I’ve heard it said that, in general, we should trust sources closest to the date of a historical event. People can lie any time, but our memory sure can play tricks as time moves on and on. Here a member … Continue reading

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+ Burnside

The rebels are realizing General Grant is going to have even more troops as the inevitable campaign soon begins. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 2, 1864: From Northern Virginia. Orange C. H.April 30. –Our scouts report that Burnside has … Continue reading

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straddle

It’s May 1st somewhere … Since the beginning of the war Elmira served as a rendezvous point for New York soldiers heading south. Here’s evidence that Union soldier miscreants were also confined there and that Confederate prisoners would soon be … Continue reading

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aiding and abedding

Desperation sure can lead to some creativity. Here a soldier and his friends used a “novel mode” to try to escape the military, but the Confederate authorities eventually got their man. The Richmond paper reminded their readers about the high … Continue reading

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