Author Archives: SUMPTER

cold(-hearted) draft

Three clippings from Seneca County, New York newspapers in March 1865: The Terrors of the Draft. The hardships of the draft are being seriously felt in many parts of the State. – Families are broken up and in many cases … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“There has been great privation here — we need not deny it”

A fellow Richmond editor has died. The Dispatch has evidence from occupied Charleston to contradict President Lincoln’s second inaugural address: victorious Yankees would really act with malice toward all white Southerners. The paper also found evidence from General Sheridan’s recent … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Reconstruction, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Happily, events are now approaching a crisis”

If the North wins the war, subjugates the South, and replaces the utopian slave labor system, the country will become “a howling wilderness.” Despite a reported prediction by General Grant, there is no evidence that Richmond is about to be … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Siege of Petersburg, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Virginian, (un)naturally

If the North wins the war, the credit/blame goes to General Winfield Scott, a native of Virginia and traitor to his state. The Union generals (and admirals) are tools carrying out General Scott’s war plans. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“the whole country is ignorant of the impending calamity”

Another plucky Monday morning editorial from the Richmond Daily Dispatch on March 27, 1865: Monday morning…March 27, 1865. Our sincere condolences are respectfully proffered to Sir Frederick Bruce, the new British Minister to Washington. His predecessor, Lord Lyons, has been … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Siege of Petersburg, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

wheels of fortune

150 years ago this month the Confederacy had enacted a law to enlist slaves in Southern armies and was beginning the law’s implementation. The draft in the North to implement President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more troops was plodding along. … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Northern Society, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

puncture … patched

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: The Progress of the War. On Saturday morning just before daybreak, three divisions of the enemy made a sudden and determined attack on Fort Steadman, in front of Petersburg, overpowering … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Siege of Petersburg | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

information please

papers closed and mail disrupted The success of the Union armies is putting a big crimp in the newspaper business. Even though everything was reported quiet at Petersburg (although “consolidation” was imminent), the Southern mail wasn’t able to leave Richmond … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Siege of Petersburg, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“pride & patriotism”

The South needed patriotic and heroic farmers to cultivate the land despite Yankee plunder and destruction. Refugees crowded into Richmond ought to move back to the country. Even as more and more cities were evacuated to the Union armies, the … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Siege of Petersburg, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

time passages

“a time for war …” It has been almost four long years since Fort Sumter was surrendered to the Confederates. If you look back at April 1861 without considering the monotonous and/or agonizing day-by-day operations, it doesn’t seem that long … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment