Author Archives: SUMPTER

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’

Posted on January 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

A man in central New York state was resisting big changes in traditional roles for women and black people in mid-nineteeth century America. He reviewed a presentation by a woman who had spent some time involved with trying to educate … Continue reading →

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recent history

Posted on January 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

It’s been less than a year since the 33rd New York Infantry Regiment, an early two year organization, was mustered out. 150 years ago a chronicle of its service had just been published. From a Seneca County, New York in … Continue reading →

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working furlough

Posted on January 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

At sometime during January 1864, 6,000 Union soldiers were bottlenecked in Elmira, New York waiting for trains south. Some of the soldiers were probably new recruits; others veterans returning from furlough. We read that out west General Grant was cancelling … Continue reading →

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shrapnel shell

Posted on January 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1864: A Rebel Shell. Jas. Townsend, formerly of this village [Seneca Falls], and a member of the 1st New Jersey Battery, has left upon our table a rebel shrapnel shell, which … Continue reading →

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the wolf/sheep party

Posted on January 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

If this war ever ends, I’m going to miss the rhetoric in the Richmond Dispatch. I’m certain … I’m pretty sure sometime in the last three years I’ve read an editorial that maintained Northern Democrats were bigger threats to the … Continue reading →

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staunch

Posted on January 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 25, 1864: Siege of Charleston. –This is the two hundredth day of the siege of Charleston. The Courier, of Thursday last, says: The enemy continues the bombardment of the city with slight intermissions. The … Continue reading →

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skating … or not

Posted on January 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

Here a Northern newspaper acknowledged the huge contrast between the suffering soldiers and the still luxurious life at home. For all the people in New York could tell, the fighting might just as well have been in China. The least … Continue reading →

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kill ’em with kindness

Posted on January 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

Families at home trying to survive during a seemingly unending war in which important supplies for the army are questionable – there are reasons for a Confederate soldier to consider deserting, even if they are treated well by their commanders. … Continue reading →

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help the maimed

Posted on January 21, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 21, 1863: Association for the relief of maimed soldiers. –A meeting was held in the Hall of the House of Delegates on Tuesday night last, having for its object the organization of an Association … Continue reading →

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still heading south

Posted on January 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

The North needed men to continue a “vigorous prosecution” of the war. 150 years ago this month large numbers were waiting at the Elmira, New York railroad depot for their trip South. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in … Continue reading →

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