Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

spy drowned

Posted on October 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 4, 1864: Drowned. —Mrs. Rose Greenhow, well known in the Confederacy for her sufferings in its cause, –having been for months confined in the political prison at Washington,–was drowned on Saturday last near Wilmington, … Continue reading →

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“though partially successful failed”

Posted on September 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

The September 29, 1864 Union attack at Chaffin’s Farm was audible in Richmond. The Richmond Daily Dispatch was not published on September 30th because Virginia Governor William “Extra Billy” Smith ordered the newspaper’s employees to militia duty on the 29th. … Continue reading →

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heroic 148th

Posted on September 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

You can read all about the September 29, 1864 Battle of Chaffin’s Farm and New Market Heights at Civil War Daily Gazette. During the battle the 148th New York Volunteer Infantry fought as part of General Ord’s XVIII Corps, 2nd … Continue reading →

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utilitarian argument?

Posted on September 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1864: Terrible Suffering of Federal Prisoners. The public mind is becoming very much disturbed at the terrible condition of the Federal prisoners now in the hands of the enemy. Among the … Continue reading →

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genius vs. scum

Posted on September 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

Some more Monday morning defiant optimism from the editors at the Richmond Daily Dispatch on September 26, 1864: Monday morning…September 26, 1864. That we are approaching a very critical period of our existence as a people in certain. Within one … Continue reading →

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Rebels of Lake Erie

Posted on September 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

I am baffled by the title of this piece, but, according to Civil War Home, the activities described were part of the Confederate government’s 1864 attempt to foment a Northwest Conspiracy, a “secret operation to create hostile activities in the … Continue reading →

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sufferings north and south

Posted on September 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond paper reported that sanitary conditions were better at Fort Delaware and the daily death rate was lower. Overall conditions were still not very good and winter would be tough with only one blanket per prisoner. Tobacco would be … Continue reading →

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resignation accepted

Posted on September 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

There is evidence that 150 years ago this week President Lincoln accepted the resignation of Postmaster General Montgomery Blair to placate the radical wing of his party. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLAIR. … Continue reading →

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“war to the knife”

Posted on September 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

Back in July a disgruntled General Joe Hooker resigned from his command of a corps in General William T. Sherman’s army group. As the 1864 political campaign heated up, Republicans must have been happy to hear that General Hooker was … Continue reading →

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“The battle raged all day”

Posted on September 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1864: Another Battle. A desperate engagement took place at Opequan Creek [sic], in the Shenandoah Valley on Monday last, between the forces under Gen. Sheridan and those commanded by Gen. Early. … Continue reading →

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