Author Archives: SUMPTER

gunboat politics

Posted on October 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

The following Democrat article ignores the fact that President Lincoln exposed himself to rebel fire at Fort Stevens – probably imprudent, but not exactly cowardly. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in October 1864: Who is in the Gunboat … Continue reading →

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mail-in ballots

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in October 1864: SOLDIERS’ VOTES. – The votes of our soldiers are now being received in considerable numbers daily throughout the county. Those receiving them should be careful not to open the inner … Continue reading →

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in black and white

Posted on October 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

red all over … but a lot less than Democrats claim. Democrat newspapers claimed the public debt would be $4 billion by the end of the war. A Republican publication calculated the debt as of September 30, 1864 as about … Continue reading →

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“the heavy hand of power”

Posted on October 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

[I originally planned to post the following back in March, but was uncertain about the timing. The local newspaper article does seem to have been influenced by the Democrats’ playbook for the 1864 election.] I am confused about the timing … Continue reading →

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heads game

Posted on October 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times October 24, 1864: … MR. PENDLETON VISITS NEW YORK. Mr. PENDLETON, Democratic candidate for Vice-President, left Cincinnati incognito last Thursday, on a visit to the East. He was in Philadelphia yesterday, and to-morrow will reach New … Continue reading →

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self-defense

Posted on October 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

About three weeks before the U.S. presidential election the October 22, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly (at Son of the South) took a swipe at the peace-loving Democrats: War, cold steel … don’t forget plundering the civilian population, as the … Continue reading →

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men versus munitions model?

Posted on October 21, 2014 by SUMPTER

I’ve heard about the Guns versus butter economic model. As the number of men in Confederate armies diminished, it appears that the government tried to get more soldiers in the field while still producing enough ordnance to keep shooting at … Continue reading →

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northern exposure

Posted on October 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday St. Albans, Vermont was “raided” by a band of Confederates led by Bennett Henderson Young. The rebels entered Vermont via Canada and took rooms in St. Albans’ hotels. On the 19th they held up three banks … Continue reading →

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constitutional

Posted on October 18, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month voters in Maryland narrowly approved a new state constitution that outlawed slavery. The votes of Maryland soldiers serving in the Union army proved to be decisive. President Lincoln probably was pleased with the Maryland vote … Continue reading →

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Surgeon Curran

Posted on October 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

It looks like exactly two years after his heroism at Antietam, Medal of Honor recipient Richard J. Curran was promoted to full Surgeon. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in October 1864: PROMOTED. – The many friends of Dr. … Continue reading →

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