Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Month

Brothers at Cold Harbor

Posted on June 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

If I’m reading this right, a soldier mortally wounded at Cold Harbor had his remains back home and buried a week later. It probably helped that his brother could identify him and take charge of his embalmed body. From the … Continue reading →

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mountain march

Posted on June 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

SENECA was pleased as Punch that he could write home about the Union success at Piedmont, but there was a problem even in victory – what to do with the all those captured rebels. Come to find out, the New … Continue reading →

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The trials of Silas Moore

Posted on May 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: Returned to the Service. The trial of SILAS MOORE, of this village, at Elmira, for desertion, resulted in his conviction and he was sentenced to serve in the army for … Continue reading →

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capital gratitude

Posted on May 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week VMI cadets were in Richmond, where the were thanked for their valor in helping the Confederates win the Battle of New Market. Governor “Extra Billy” Smith also presented them with a new flag. From the … Continue reading →

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“God save the Lieutenant-General!”

Posted on May 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: TO ALL PATRIOTS. – The New York Times proposes that the whole country send up prayers to Heaven for the protection of the great leader of our army, Lieut-Gen. Grant. … Continue reading →

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“lying about in heaps”

Posted on May 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

One of our local publications reprinted a report from the Albany Argus. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: The Wounded at Fredericksburg. HEART-RENDING SCENES. From a gentleman who arivee [sic] in this city yesterday morning, direct … Continue reading →

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not a trace

Posted on May 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

After the 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry was mustered out, some of its remaining three years’ recruits were transferred to the 49th New York Volunteer Infantry. Edmund Ferren was one of these young men. There is a discrepancy in the … Continue reading →

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F Grade

Posted on May 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat recap of the first stages of the spring campaign in 1864 wasn’t too impressed with the new Lieutenant General. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: The Fight for Richmond. The advance of our armies … Continue reading →

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Letter from Malvern Hill

Posted on May 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

According to Civil War clippings at the Seneca Falls public library, the 8th New York Calvary was home on furlough in March 1864 and H.B. Compson, one of the regiment’s members from Seneca County, had recently been promoted. Back at … Continue reading →

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“breathless anxiety”

Posted on May 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

Seneca Falls newspapers during the war seem to have been weeklies. Here’s a recap of the first week of the Overland campaign. The New-York Times seemed almost euphoric as the great battles commenced; this Democrat paper took a more negative … Continue reading →

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