Author Archives: SUMPTER

friendly request

Posted on January 19, 2015 by SUMPTER

President Lincoln was trying to please his son Robert, his wife Mary, and his general Grant. He seems pretty confident that the war will soon and finally come to an end. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume … Continue reading →

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“The Rebels fought like fiends”

Posted on January 17, 2015 by SUMPTER

John Arnett, a young man from Seneca Falls, New York serving in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, has already had some notable experiences. His ship the Westfield was blown up on New Year’s Day 1863 during the Battle … Continue reading →

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break: cold comfort

Posted on January 16, 2015 by SUMPTER
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“put our trust in the God of Battles”

Posted on January 15, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: PATRIOTIC LETTER FROM AN IRISH SOLDIER. The following is an extract from a letter written by John Graham, of this village, to his friend James Hughes, dated City Point, Va., Jan. … Continue reading →

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don’t jump

Posted on January 14, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865: Heading off the Bounty Jumpers. The Elmira Advertiser says Maj. J. Ladd, Paymaster U.S. Army, has been stationed at Elmira, for the purpose of taking charge of the money received … Continue reading →

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“An army of harmless Yankees”

Posted on January 13, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865: STATISTICS OF LIBBY PRISON. – An army of harmless Yankees have passed through Richmond within the year just expiring. – From the statistics of the clerk of Libby Prison, Mr. … Continue reading →

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Big Data

Posted on January 12, 2015 by SUMPTER

The average Union soldier had more girth than the average Rebel? Recently I read about the importance of statistics and statisticians to the British government during World War II. Here’s some evidence that during the American Civil War a Northern … Continue reading →

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summarized judgment

Posted on January 10, 2015 by SUMPTER

Seneca Falls papers during the Civil War seemed to lean strongly Democrat. Here one of the publications has no criticisms of President Lincoln for firing the political General Butler. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865: Exit … Continue reading →

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refugee nation

Posted on January 9, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 9 1865: Appeal to the public. –The Relief Committee of Richmond appeal to the public for aid in behalf of the families of soldiers and refugees in the city. Richmond is filled with refugees … Continue reading →

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hungry, very hungry

Posted on January 8, 2015 by SUMPTER

It is written that 150 years ago today, To alleviate near-starvation among his troops, General Thomas L. Rosser leads 300 Confederate cavalry from Staunton, West Virginia, on a raid against well-stocked Union encampments at Beverly. To accomplish this, the Southerners … Continue reading →

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