Author Archives: SUMPTER

“All honor to the Flag”

Posted on August 19, 2013 by SUMPTER

Six weeks after Gettysburg, the assistant surgeon for the 126th New York Volunteer Infantry wrote home to explain that newspaper accounts had missed the extraordinary courage of the 126th’s color bearers during the battle. From a Seneca County newspaper in … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Gettysburg Campaign, Military Matters, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

not much of a theater-goer

Posted on August 17, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln To J. H. HACKETT. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON August 17, 1863. JAMES H. HACKETT, Esq. MY DEAR SIR:—Months ago I should have acknowledged the receipt of your book and accompanying kind note; and … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Northern Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment

private no more

Posted on August 16, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times August 16, 1863: Jeff. Davis’ Private Letters. The country will be interested and amused, if not instructed, by the letters received by JEFF. DAVIS from all sections and all sorts of men during the secession Winter, … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society, Vicksburg Campaign | Tagged | Leave a comment

Granted …

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Yankee general who could exploit the odds in his favor From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 14, 1863: Gen Grant. Military merit is so rare among the Yankee Generals that we are not at all surprised by the excessive … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged | Leave a comment

No Scrooge

Posted on August 14, 2013 by SUMPTER

I know from the schedule that 150 years ago today draftees from the Town of Tyre in Seneca County, New York appeared in Auburn for their examinations. Here’s a comment from a Democrat newspaper from Seneca County in 1863: Mr. … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

high fuel prices

Posted on August 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

It might have been a blisteringly hot August in Virginia, but citizens  still needed fuel to cook (and it might be prudent to stock up on wood for the coming winter). On August 12th the editors of the Richmond Daily … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Waterloo exemptions

Posted on August 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

According to James M. McPherson’s discussion of conscription in the North, “If a man’s name was drawn in this [draft] lottery, one of several things would happen to him next – the least likely of which was induction into the … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The rides’s on US

Posted on August 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

In compliance with the 1863 Conscription Act men in Seneca County have been enrolled and drafted. The next step is for the drafted men to appear before the Board of Enrollment to be examined for their fitness to serve. Here … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bread Basket

Posted on August 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Richmond mill is selling flour below the market price and limiting quantities to stymie speculators; another novel food substitute; a meeting is planned to protest flour speculators and another to consider a petition for sentinels to guard Richmond’s near … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fast Work

Posted on August 8, 2013 by SUMPTER

I forgot that President Lincoln had designated August 6th as a Day of Thanksgiving. Here’s an editorial that sees a direct link between the April 30th National Fast Day and the recent Union successes. July 4, 1863 was a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment