Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Month

break before more war

Posted on December 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

An officer who completed his three year gig with the Infantry and then signed back up – with the Engineers. He was able to take a break sometime 150 years ago this month. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading →

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shaming the abolitionists?

Posted on December 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat publication wondered why, if over two million adult men voted for President Lincoln’s re-election, the President had to threaten a draft to come up with 300,000 more soldiers. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864 or … Continue reading →

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exterminate them!

Posted on December 18, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864 said it was skeptical about reports of the horrible conditions in Southern prison camps – until it spoke with a couple native sons who had survived the experience: RETURNED PRISONERS. Lieut. CORT. … Continue reading →

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unrepentant

Posted on December 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: A DESERTER named “French Bill” was hung at Harper’s Ferry a short time ago. The gallows was one of the old fashioned kind, with trap-door, &c. Three thousand soldiers witnessed … Continue reading →

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leaden sky ledger

Posted on December 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

As a Richmond paper tallied the military balance sheet for 1864, the conclusion was inescapable – the South had had a great year. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: The Military Account Current Between North and South … Continue reading →

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grand idea

Posted on December 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

Actually, over two grand From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: Arrested for Forgery. Lieut. H.C. Furniss, of Waterloo, is now under arrest at Elmira, charged with forging the name of Provost Marshal Knapp, of this district, … Continue reading →

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“virtual defeat”

Posted on December 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat-leaning publication in upstate New York was skeptical about claims of a Union victory at the Battle of Franklin. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: The Battle at Franklin. The battle of Franklin, Tenn., on … Continue reading →

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Samuel Oliver

Posted on December 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently 150 years ago this month the body of a soldier arrived home before word of his death. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: DEATH OF A SOLDIER. – The remains of Corporal Samuel Oliver of … Continue reading →

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vandals?

Posted on December 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democratic-leaning paper in upstate New York was not quite so enamored of total war in Georgia as The New-York Times appeared to be in its Thanksgiving day issue. Presumably the rebels would soon resist the Union army with a … Continue reading →

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between God and the people

Posted on November 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today The New-York Times wasn’t sure where Sherman’s army was headed, but it knew he was sweeping and destroying. It published a table of distances for possible destinations and reprinted an article from the November 18th Cincinnati … Continue reading →

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