Author Archives: SUMPTER

resignation accepted

Posted on September 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

There is evidence that 150 years ago this week President Lincoln accepted the resignation of Postmaster General Montgomery Blair to placate the radical wing of his party. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLAIR. … Continue reading →

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“war to the knife”

Posted on September 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

Back in July a disgruntled General Joe Hooker resigned from his command of a corps in General William T. Sherman’s army group. As the 1864 political campaign heated up, Republicans must have been happy to hear that General Hooker was … Continue reading →

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“The battle raged all day”

Posted on September 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1864: Another Battle. A desperate engagement took place at Opequan Creek [sic], in the Shenandoah Valley on Monday last, between the forces under Gen. Sheridan and those commanded by Gen. Early. … Continue reading →

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time to swap horses

Posted on September 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

Compared to President Lincoln, “none if loyal, can be for the worse”, but General McClellan would make a fine president. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in October 1864: IMPORTANT LETTER FROM HON – REVERDY JOHNSON – MCCLELLAN THE … Continue reading →

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supporting the people’s choice

Posted on September 18, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Republican-oriented newspaper reprinted a letter from a soldier at the front admonishing his son in New York City to avoid being a Copperhead. From The New-York Times September 18, 1864: … To the Editor of the New- York Times … Continue reading →

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justices of the peace off to war?

Posted on September 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

9-23-2014: I apologize for putting up misleading information in the following post. Please read Scott Mingus’ comment below. Thank you, Luke Martens Long-time Virginia politician William “Extra Billy” Smith served in the Confederate army until just after Gettysburg. He was … Continue reading →

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Crosses’ purpose

Posted on September 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

fought for “the U.S. Army In the War of the Rebellion” When I started wandering through Restvale Cemetery in Seneca Falls, New York looking for old grave stones decorated with new American flags, I was naturally drawn to a plot … Continue reading →

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certain drafts and taxes

Posted on September 15, 2014 by SUMPTER

Some Democratic campaign rhetoric painted a picture of endless drafts and high taxes if President Lincoln was re-elected. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1864: Not The Last Draft. It may not be uninteresting as a subject … Continue reading →

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as Maine goes?

Posted on September 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

The New-York Times was elated that Maine’s Republican governor Samuel Cony was re-elected. Possibly the “first gun” in the campaign was Vermont’s election of Republicans for all three U.S. House Representatives on September 6th. The same link shows Maine electing … Continue reading →

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calling on negroes, the disabled

Posted on September 12, 2014 by SUMPTER

… and legislators? “X” from Petersburg is concerned about getting more men into the Confederacy’s armies to try to at least partially offset additions to Northern forces. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch September 12, 1864: From General Lee’s Army. (From … Continue reading →

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