Author Archives: SUMPTER

neither snow nor rain …

Posted on March 9, 2015 by SUMPTER

but a rebellion might slow it down some About three weeks after federal troops occupied Charleston U.S. mail service had resumed from that city. From The New-York Times March 7, 1865: The First Mail from Charleston. PHILADELPHIA, Monday, March 6. … Continue reading →

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union jubilee

Posted on March 7, 2015 by SUMPTER

On the same day that a Richmond publication admonished its readers to make an upcoming day of prayer and fasting truly earnest and solemn, the Empire City held a grand Union Jubilee, a seven mile long parade. General Winfield Scott … Continue reading →

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“trifling is madness”

Posted on March 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

Another Monday morning in Richmond, another editorial from the Dispatch as it leads off its publishing week. The paper criticized the British Foreign secretary for looking forward to the North’s victory in America and the subsequent total eradication of slavery … Continue reading →

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cop-out confederacy?

Posted on March 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

Walter Taylor, Lee’s Adjutant, observed a collapsing Confederacy. In a letter he wrote to his beloved Bettie 150 years ago today, Colonel Taylor objected to Confederate leaders blaming the people for why the war could not go on. After all, … Continue reading →

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with sword still in hand

Posted on March 4, 2015 by SUMPTER

Inauguration Day broke cold and rainy. High on the dome of the capitol, unfinished on this occasion four years ago, Thomas Crawford’s posthumous bronze Freedom, a sword in one hand, a victory wreath in the other, peered out through the … Continue reading →

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doubtless

Posted on March 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 3, 1865: The Richmond and Petersburg lines. Everything remains quiet on these lines, and is so likely to continue while the rain and mud lasts, and of these there seems to be no end. … Continue reading →

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capture the flags

Posted on March 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

Some time after the Union Army of the Shenandoah captured most of Jubal Early’s rebel force at the Battle of Waynesboro, Union General Sheridan sent Major Compson of the 8th New York Cavalry to Washington, D.C. to deliver captured battle … Continue reading →

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Yankee smugness

Posted on February 28, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 28, 1865: Treatment of the conquered Confederates–Handsome offer. The New York Times has an article on subjugation, which ought to have a place all to itself. It is the most refreshing instance of Yankee … Continue reading →

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poor conscription

Posted on February 27, 2015 by SUMPTER

After four years of war it was hard to scrounge up enough new recruits to satisfy the Union government’s draft quotas. The Seneca Falls supervisor was recruiting in New York City. Men were available, but there wasn’t enough money to … Continue reading →

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draft dilemmas

Posted on February 26, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month another Union draft was rapidly approaching, but a local town still didn’t know what its quota would be. The town supervisor was down in New York City headhunting for recruits to fill his town’s requirements. … Continue reading →

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