Author Archives: SUMPTER

battle hymns

In its June 1, 1919 issue the New York Tribune commemorated the birth centenaries of two well-known Civil War-era Americans. ______________________________ According to Wikipedia, Julia Ward Howe was a poet, author, abolitionist, and advocate for women’s suffrage: She was inspired … Continue reading

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At the junction …

… Promontory junction North and South America had been a big impediment to free-flowing and relatively quick world trade. Even though way back in 1513 an expedition led by Vasco Núñez de Balboa discovered how near the Atlantic and Pacific … Continue reading

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Hayti bound

From the May 1, 1869 issue of Harper’s Weekly: EBENEZER D. BASSETT. Very fitly a colored man of the highest eminence has been appointed Minister from this country to Hayti. Mr. BASSETT, whose portrait we give on page 285, is … Continue reading

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good question

Way back in its October 24, 1868 issue Harper’s Weekly seemed a bit miffed by a letter from Georgia, which asked a question: if universal suffrage for black men is such a good thing, why doesn’t the North adopt it? … Continue reading

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feeding frenzy

You could say it’s a (very brief) tale of five Union generals. When Ulysses S. Grant became President of the United States in March 1869 he promoted his friend William T. Sherman to be the Commanding General of the U.S. … Continue reading

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cabinet kerfuffle

In its March 5, 1869 issue The New-York Times kept coverage of Ulysses S. Grant’s inaugural address off its front page, unlike the previous two inaugurations. The times were certainly different, relatively crisis-free. After all, in 1861 a couple weeks … Continue reading

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“Sinn Fein Forever”

April 7, 2019: It looks like I made a mistake in the second paragraph below. There is evidence in the April 6, 1919 issue of the New-York Tribune at the Library of Congress that most of the “old 69th” was … Continue reading

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please release men

let them go to war Recently I heard a radio commercial in which the advertiser said it was going to commemorate Women’s History Month by recognizing local women who have contributed to the community. To extend my paraphrase, everywoman might … Continue reading

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nothing to hear here?

Back around the New Year a couple New York City periodicals seemed to be eagerly awaiting the March 4th 1869 inauguration of President-elect Ulysses S. Grant “with the guarantees of future peace and prosperity and of a final settlement of … Continue reading

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civvies lesson

According to the February 23, 1869 issue of The New-York Times Washington’s Birthday 150 years ago was kind of a humdrum day in the great metropolis, a day that “had the air of something that has missed fire. It was … Continue reading

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