Author Archives: SUMPTER

Philadelphia procession

Posted on April 23, 2015 by SUMPTER
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let’s be guided by his spirit

Posted on April 22, 2015 by SUMPTER

at least the spirit of President Lincoln’s second inaugural I’m pretty sure The Seneca Falls Reveille (in Seneca County, New York) was a strongly pro-Democrat newspaper during the Civil War. 150 years ago today it published an editorial on the … Continue reading →

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obsequies

Posted on April 21, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper on April 21, 1865: OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. The funeral ceremonies over the remains of the late President LINCOLN took place at the Executive Mansion in Washington on Wednesday, in the presence of … Continue reading →

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“too noble a mind”

Posted on April 20, 2015 by SUMPTER

His was too noble a mind to indulge in a spirit of retaliation or revenge. I think the following might have been published on April 21, 1865. It seems that the editors thought it was still possible that Secretary Seward … Continue reading →

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Everybody Loves Abraham

Posted on April 18, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1865: THE REBEL PRISONERS AT ELMIRA. – It is stated that the rebel prisoners at Elmira were keenly affected by the news of Mr. Lincoln’s assassination, and requested permission to make … Continue reading →

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not indispensable

Posted on April 17, 2015 by SUMPTER

Our great leader is dead, but our “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” From The New-York Times April 17, 1865: The Effect of President Lincoln’s Death on National Affairs. The … Continue reading →

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investigations

Posted on April 16, 2015 by SUMPTER

John Wilkes Booth was identified by a hat and a spur he left behind at the crime scene. From The New-York Times April 16, 1865: THE ASSASSINATION.; Additional Details of the Lamentable Event. WASHINGTON, Saturday, April 15. The assassin of … Continue reading →

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“the worst blow the confederacy has yet had”

Posted on April 15, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: WASHINGTON, April 15 – 11 A.M. At 20 minutes past 7 o’clock the President breathed his last, closing his eyes as if falling asleep, and his countenance assuming an expression of … Continue reading →

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vengeance

Posted on April 14, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was supposed to be a very good Good Friday, at least for the Union. In a celebratory ceremony 150 years ago today Robert Anderson raised the old Union flag from April 1861 over Fort Sumter, which was once again … Continue reading →

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grant them “unconditional forgiveness”

Posted on April 13, 2015 by SUMPTER

A publication in the Finger Lakes area of New York State pleaded for forgiveness and reconciliation for the returning rebels. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1865: The Amnesty. The terms extended to the Confederate officers and … Continue reading →

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