Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

duckin’, dodgin’, and dirt

Posted on June 10, 2014 by SUMPTER

In the trenches at Cold Harbor. The first part of this letter might be an example of gallows humor, especially since Chaplain Scott just missed getting shot in the head. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: LETTERS … Continue reading →

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“glorious victory”

Posted on June 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

Our SENECA correspondent from New York’s 1st Veteran Cavalry sure was happy to be able to report some Union success in the Shenandoah Valley after the defeat at New Market. According to SENECA, a diversionary action by the 1st Veterans … Continue reading →

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a persevering party

Posted on June 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

The first chairman of the Republican party, Edwin D. Morgan, opened the “National Union” Convention in Baltimore 150 years ago today. He fired up the delegates by playing on General Grant’s “I propose to fight it out on this line … Continue reading →

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war without end

Posted on June 6, 2014 by SUMPTER

“until all resistance to the national authority ceases” the national authority embodied by the vote of the people Campaign season was heating up. On May 31, 1864 the Radical Democracy nominated John C. Fremont as its presidential standard-bearer. The Republican … Continue reading →

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relative Sabbath

Posted on June 5, 2014 by SUMPTER

According to the following editorial 150 years ago today was a remarkably quiet Sunday up at the Cold Harbor front. Also, if Grant can’t do to Lee what Lee did to McClellan, then the Confederates must be the best soldiers. … Continue reading →

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brothers’ war?

Posted on June 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

Some Southerners didn’t take kindly to famous native Marylanders who were unabashedly pro-Union. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 3, 1864: Edwin Boot[h] at the North. –This young actor, a native of the State of Maryland, and whose engagements in … Continue reading →

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“Our loss was not severe”

Posted on June 3, 2014 by SUMPTER

On the evening of July 2, 1864 the Union troops on the front lines at Cold Harbor knew the assault ordered for the next morning was madness. They were close enough to see the strength of the rebel works. They … Continue reading →

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insurrection bad

Posted on June 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

Nothing new here. For the South to win its war for independence, the South has to guard against negro insurrections. In fact, slaveown shouldn’t even let their slaves go at large. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 2, 1864: Charged … Continue reading →

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Captain Brett killed

Posted on May 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

During the Civil War New York’s 33rd Volunteer Infantry was a two-year regiment. After it was mustered out on June 2, 1863, one of its members who re-enlisted was Robert H. Brett, who later joined the 1st Veteran Cavalry and … Continue reading →

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hopeful thinking

Posted on May 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

After church five weeks ago (in 1864 time) General George Meade drove some visitors over to Culpeper to see the new Lieutenant General. 150 years ago today the Army of the Potomac had spent almost four weeks of fighting and … Continue reading →

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