Author Archives: SUMPTER

at last

Posted on November 11, 2018 by SUMPTER

According to History of the World War, by Francis A. March and Richard J. Beamish (1919), American commanders ordered their troops to remain all business the morning before the firing ceased on the Western Front. The last action of the … Continue reading →

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marching orders

Posted on November 7, 2018 by SUMPTER

On November 3, 1868 Republican candidate Ulysses S. Grant was elected President of the United States. He garnered about 300,000 more votes than his Democratic challenger Horatio Seymour. In the electoral college he won 214 votes compared to 80 for … Continue reading →

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election primer

Posted on November 2, 2018 by SUMPTER

150 years ago the presidential election in the United States was to be held on November 3rd. According to documentation at the Library of Congress, sometime during the campaign the Union Republican Congressional Committee published an election guide for the … Continue reading →

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September surprise?

Posted on October 31, 2018 by SUMPTER

Democratic politician John Dix was a Union general during the Civil War and in 1868 was serving as American Minister to France. In early September he sent a letter to friend in New York City. Mr. Dix wanted to deny … Continue reading →

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rigging vigorously

Posted on October 25, 2018 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month three New York City newspapers published reports of alleged voter fraud. It seems that the October 10, 1868 issue of Harper’s Weekly is saying that the legal process of naturalization was being corrupted by men … Continue reading →

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Sedgwick statue dedicated

Posted on October 21, 2018 by SUMPTER

According to Harper’s Weekly, 150 years ago today a statue of Union General John Sedgwick was dedicated at West Point. At least as of 2008 the monument was still standing. ________________________ John Sedgwick was killed at Spotsylvania on May 9, … Continue reading →

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tsunami?

Posted on October 17, 2018 by SUMPTER

On October 13, 1868 voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana elected Republicans in state races by substantial margins. The Democrats were reportedly in such deep distress that they considered replacing Horatio Seymour as their nominee for the U.S. Presidency, possibly … Continue reading →

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circular logic

Posted on October 12, 2018 by SUMPTER

Apparently in 1492 most educated Europeans knew that the earth was spherical. The Atlantic Ocean was beginning to be explored; the technology of the mariner’s compass made it easier to figure out which way you were going, and “a certain … Continue reading →

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not in their backyard

Posted on October 11, 2018 by SUMPTER

In its September 22, 1868 issue the The New-York Times published a report of political violence in southeastern Georgia that occurred on September 19th. A couple of Republican politicians traveled to Camilla for a rally. As they neared the town … Continue reading →

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late summer of ’68

Posted on September 29, 2018 by SUMPTER

Some headlines from early September 1868. Statewide elections in Vermont resulted in large Republican majorities. The Georgia legislature expelled twenty-five black representatives (New York Times September 4, 1868). After a conference at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Union General William … Continue reading →

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