Author Archives: SUMPTER

hero warship

Posted on January 7, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month the French-built CSS Stonewall took to the seas. It’s goal was to make its way to the New World to attack the Yankee navy and Yankee commerce. 150 years ago this week a Southern newspaper … Continue reading →

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new year’s lottery

Posted on January 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

A Richmond editorial maintained that the South would always enjoy a “superabundance of bread and meat.” Apparently that superabundance wasn’t always making it to the front. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 6, 1865: The soldiers’ New-year’s dinner. Camp first … Continue reading →

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ways out

Posted on January 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

01/06/2015: I made a big mistake. The articles from the Dispatch I reprinted below were actually from the January 5, 1864 issue. I’m a year late with this news. I’m sorry. “It will be difficult to get the world to … Continue reading →

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namesakes

Posted on January 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

A Richmond newspaper can’t believe that free blacks would name their sons after Abraham Lincoln. It would make a lot more sense to name the children after the biblical Abraham. Unlike the “Washington Abraham” the biblical patriarch was a gentleman, … Continue reading →

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nutshell happiness

Posted on January 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Richmond Dispatch still observed the Christian Sabbath back in 1864, so its January 2nd issue looked back on 1864 and ahead to 1865. The defiance seems muted in this Monday morning editorial as the writer could not even wish … Continue reading →

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beauty pageant

Posted on January 1, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Battle of Franklin was already over a month old when a local newspaper reprinted the following editorial 150 years ago this month. As the war entered its fifth calendar year were the people becoming brutalized, insensate; numb to the … Continue reading →

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the Butler did it

Posted on December 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently, even Union Secretary of War Stanton had to rely on Confederate newspapers for his first report to General Dix regarding the failed attack on Fort Fisher. From The New-York Times December 29, 1864: WILMINGTON.; THE ATTACK ON FORT FISHER. … Continue reading →

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break before more war

Posted on December 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

An officer who completed his three year gig with the Infantry and then signed back up – with the Engineers. He was able to take a break sometime 150 years ago this month. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading →

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right to privacy?

Posted on December 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

The Civil War was hugely expensive for the federal government, and various tax schemes were imposed to generate the necessary revenue, including an income tax. Here Gotham’s Times was concerned that tax assessors did not keep citizens’ incomes secret: “We … Continue reading →

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it’s the rebel armies, stupid

Posted on December 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat publication looked at the undoubted brilliance of General Sherman’s campaign through Georgia – and found the Lincoln administration wanting. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: The Capture of Savannah. The War Department received dispatches … Continue reading →

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