Author Archives: SUMPTER

new ironsides

Posted on September 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1863: ENSIGN BENJ. F. PORTER, of the New Ironsides, a young and promising officer, about whose daring courage so much has recently been told, has his home at Skaneateles. It seems … Continue reading →

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beef prices

Posted on September 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

It’s been almost six months since the Richmond Bread Riot, but scarcity and inflation are still making life difficult in Richmond. Here a group of butchers are willing to comply with a government request that they regulate their beef prices … Continue reading →

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fact check

Posted on September 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month The Old Guard published the following: William H. Seward delivered his “irrepressible conflict” speech in 1858. Daniel Webster died in 1852. Abolitionists felt betrayed by Webster’s support of the Compromise of 1850 and its Fugitive … Continue reading →

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virtual defeat

Posted on September 25, 2013 by SUMPTER

or virtual victory? I think I gave in to a little Yankee arrogance the other day when I noticed that Richmond seemed more in the dark about the battle at Chickamauga than the North. The New York Times apparently had … Continue reading →

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A return to normalcy?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

After the defeat of the Army of the Cumberland at Chickamauga and its retreat back into Chattanooga, President Lincoln was very much involved in the decisionsto send reinforcements General Rosecrans in Chattanooga. In the midst of the crisis Mr. Lincoln … Continue reading →

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loads and loads of money

Posted on September 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

print away our problems? Well, not really, as the editors at the Richmond Whig understood. From The New-York Times September 25, 1863: The following paragraphs are from the [Richmond] Whig, of the 23d: … PAINFUL SIGHT. It is nothing unusual … Continue reading →

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“a thorn in its vitals”

Posted on September 21, 2013 by SUMPTER

Civil War Daily Gazette has the story of Abraham Lincoln’s damage control after the Union defeat at Chickamauga. The president urged General Rosecrans to hold on to Chattanooga and ordered General Burnside to “Go to Rosecrans”. Here he tells General-in-chief … Continue reading →

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close call

Posted on September 20, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today the battle resumed at Chickamauga. It might say something about the outcome that, unlike yesterday, The New York Times did not publish any front page reports about the fighting on September 20th directly from the field. … Continue reading →

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fierce battle near Crawfish Springs

Posted on September 19, 2013 by SUMPTER

Read all about day One at the Battle of Chickamauga at Civil War Daily Gazette. Here’s an early report from the battlefield. From The New-York Times September 21, 1863: HIGHLY IMPORTANT.; A Great Battle Fought Near Chattanooga. The Engagement of … Continue reading →

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Charley Green

Posted on September 18, 2013 by SUMPTER

We know that women disguised themselves as men so they could serve in the ranks during the war. Some even served while pregnant. But to the extent that this story is true, “Charley’s” wound at Manassas is interesting – if … Continue reading →

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