Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Month

“tax ourselves”

Posted on July 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

In reviewing the Conscription Act of 1863, James M. McPherson writes that “Substitution was hallowed by tradition … The Republican architects of the draft law inserted commutation as a means of putting a cap on the price of substitutes … … Continue reading →

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

a little less “gigantic Power”

Posted on July 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Mississippi might be basically under Federal control now, but the Richmond press can still celebrate signs of rebel life out west. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 22, 1863: Destruction of a Federal gunboat by a torpedo. A dispatch … Continue reading →

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

draft matters

Posted on July 22, 2013 by SUMPTER

A short cutting about a couple big topics 150 years ago this month – Gettysburg and the draft. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in July, 1863: The 44th Regiment (Ellsworth) suffered terribly during the three days battle at … Continue reading →

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

the usual suspects

Posted on July 20, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Democrat newspaper in from a small town in New York state digests the information that Lee’s army retreated from Gettysburg and made it south of the Potomac largely unscathed. It has to be the Republican administration’s fault. Everything was … Continue reading →

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

Copperheads from history

Posted on July 19, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Old Guard, a pro-slavery, antiwar monthly journal published in New York found historical precedent for anti-Lincoln Copperheads in three iconic Americans – George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson. Here’s the paragraph on Jefferson. From the July 1863 issue … Continue reading →

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

Deluded

Posted on July 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

Union General Meade wrote his wife 150 years ago today. From The life and letters of George Gordon Mead:…Volume 2 (page 133): HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SOUTH MOUNTAIN PASS, July 10, 1863. Lee has not crossed and does not … Continue reading →

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

infernal machinery

Posted on July 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

Here are a couple articles from a Democrat newspaper in the Finger Lakes area of New York State that warn about the coming draft of July 1863. The stories support a couple points made by James McPherson in his discussion … Continue reading →

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

Surgeon Still Serving

Posted on June 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

Some June 1863 cuttings from a Seneca Falls, New York newspaper: Naval Graduate. We are pleased to learn that SCHUYLER CROWNINSHIELD, son of Jacob Crowninshield, Esq., of this village, has honorably graduated from the U.S. Naval School at Newport. He … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Military Matters, Naval Matters | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Calling on every man

Posted on June 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in June 1863: The National Guard. Gov. SEYMOUR’s recent order for the organization of the National Guard of the State, in accordance with the law passed by the Legislature of 1861, may be … Continue reading →

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

Alarmed

Posted on June 22, 2013 by SUMPTER

The May 30, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly criticized the Lincoln administration for not trusting the Northern public. The editorial pointed out two examples – locking up traitorous speakers like Clement Vallandigham and not immediately announcing military defeats. 150 years … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Gettysburg Campaign, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment