Author Archives: SUMPTER

Pancho and Black Jack

Posted on March 18, 2016 by SUMPTER

As Walter Stahr explains in his biography of William H. Seward, after the American Civil War ended, famous Union generals were eager to invade Mexico and drive the French and Maximilian I out of North America. Ulysses S. Grant “was … Continue reading →

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subsidized limbs

Posted on March 7, 2016 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1866: FREE LIMBS. – Soldiers who have lost limbs in the service of the United States, are entitled to artificial substitutes, that can be procured upon the presentation of evidence of … Continue reading →

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“large hearts and corresponding purses”

Posted on March 4, 2016 by SUMPTER

[I missed this last month.] During the war many fairs were held to benefit the Sanitary Commission. On February 22 and 23, 1866 the Young Ladies’ Aid Society of a small town on one of the Finger Lakes in New … Continue reading →

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no respect

Posted on February 29, 2016 by SUMPTER

It was pitiful enough to find so much idleness, but it was more pitiful to observe that it was likely to continue indefinitely. The war will not have borne proper fruit, if our peace does not speedily bring respect for … Continue reading →

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at any cost, except

Posted on February 24, 2016 by SUMPTER

We covet peace, and shall preserve it any cost but the loss of honor. For a little variety … A year and a half after the First World War began and during the week when the Battle of Verdun began … Continue reading →

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birthday bashing

Posted on February 22, 2016 by SUMPTER

Back in 1861 even small towns celebrated Washington’s Birthday with cannon fire and bells. Five years later there were definitely some fireworks in Washington, D.C. as a crowd looked for a speech from President Andrew Johnson. It was a couple … Continue reading →

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veto takes

Posted on February 21, 2016 by SUMPTER

On February 19, 1866 President Andrew Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau Extension bill. Here is a review of commentary from more modern scholars. Walter Stahr points out that Mr. Johnson vetoed the bill because he agreed with Southern whites who … Continue reading →

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just saying no

Posted on February 19, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today President Andrew Johnson vetoed legislation that would have extended the jurisdiction of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Here is an 1896 summary. (However, the date of the veto is the 19th) From The Struggle between President Johnson and … Continue reading →

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president’s day

Posted on February 12, 2016 by SUMPTER

Big doings in Washington, D. C. 150 years ago today as the nation’s capital commemorated the birthday of the martyred Abraham Lincoln.

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tailor retailored?

Posted on February 8, 2016 by SUMPTER

In February 1866 a Convention of Colored Men met in Washington, D.C. to protest the South’s Black Codes. On February 7th a delegation of participants met with President Johnson. From The Struggle between President Johnson and Congress over Reconstruction by … Continue reading →

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