Author Archives: SUMPTER

threats north and west

Posted on March 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today General Meade, commander of the Union Army of the Potomac, was concerned about the Committee on the Conduct of the War, which was investigating his performance at and after Gettysburg. Moreover, General Grant, the new overall … Continue reading →

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Ensign Arnett

Posted on March 6, 2014 by SUMPTER

A sailor from Seneca Falls had a rough fortnight to begin 1863. His ship was blown up during the Battle of Galveston on New Year’s Day; on the 11th his new ship was sunk by the CSS Alabama. Here’s some … Continue reading →

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give greenbacks a chance

Posted on March 5, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: The Draft Postponed. The action of Congress continuing the government bounties until the 1st of April, is received by the Secretary of War as an intimation from that body not to … Continue reading →

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freedom march

Posted on March 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

philanthropists wanted … now! Last week Seven Score and Ten presented three different takes on General William T. Sherman’s Meridian Campaign. Here’s a fourth, from a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: LO! THE POOR NEGRO. – A Vicksburg … Continue reading →

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foreign analogies

Posted on March 3, 2014 by SUMPTER

The Richmond Dispatch often looked at different countries and different eras for examples to fire up its readership in the South’s struggle for independence. Here the editors looked across the Atlantic for commentary on who would be selected as the … Continue reading →

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disunion … among Republicans?

Posted on March 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

In the latter part of February 1864 the Pomeroy Circular was an effort to drum up Republican support for Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase to replace President Lincoln as the party’s presidential candidate. When the “foreign journals” with the news … Continue reading →

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Friends indeed?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

The February 27, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South discussed whether Quakers should be exempted from the draft on conscientious grounds. The editorial respected the Quakers for their beliefs but realized that if anyone could claim … Continue reading →

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prison ministry

Posted on February 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

Shortly after President Jefferson Davis appointed him as envoy to the papacy, Patrick Lynch , the Bishop of Charleston, S.C. was reported preaching to a captive audience in the Confederate capital. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 26, 1864: Interesting … Continue reading →

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“counties bounties”, &c.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in February 1864: What it Costs New York to Raise Men for the Army. From the report of LOCKWOOD L.DOTY, Chief of Military Statistics, recently sent into the Assembly, may be obtained some … Continue reading →

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peace is the word

Posted on February 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

Back in January New York Democrat Representative Fernando Wood gave a speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in which he advocated an immediate peace. He criticized both Republicans and Southerners for being in favor of dissolution. ” Those who … Continue reading →

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