Author Archives: SUMPTER

honoring General Forrest

Posted on August 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

For what it’s worth, Nathan Bedford Forrest seems to have been defending himself against charges that he ordered/condoned a massacre of blacks at Fort Pillow. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 20, 1864: General Forrest and the Negroes. –It is … Continue reading →

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thanks for the work

Posted on August 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

On July 18, 1864 Confederate Treasury Secretary Christopher Memminger resigned and headed back home to South Carolina. 150 years ago this month some Virginia women presented him with a cane to thank him for the jobs he provided at the … Continue reading →

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“peace at any price”?

Posted on August 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago New York State Peace Democrats held a meeting in Syracuse ahead of the National Democrat Convention in Chicago beginning on August 29th. Fernando Wood from New York City and Clement L. Vallandigham were featured speakers. The delegates … Continue reading →

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peace train

Posted on August 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Clement L. Vallandigham made his way to Syracuse, New York for an upcoming peace meeting. From The New-York Times August 17, 1864: Movements of Vallandigham. DUNKIRK, N.Y., Tuesday, Aug. 16. Hon. C.L. VALLANDIGHAM passed through here … Continue reading →

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a productive, destructive August

Posted on August 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month the CSS Tallahassee, commanded by Zachary Taylor’s grandson John Taylor Wood, was disrupting Yankee commerce off the northern coast. Here’s a summary from the Navy: After she was commissioned and prepared for sea Tallahassee was … Continue reading →

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grounded steamers captured

Posted on August 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863: A Rebel Raid into Illinois.   CAIRO, ILL., Aug. 13 [sic?]. About 500 rebel [c]avalry, under Col. Jonson [sic], crossed the Ohio river into Illinois, at Saline Bar Saturday. The steamers … Continue reading →

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exchanged

Posted on August 12, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Yankee wounded soldiers and medical personnel, , including the renowned Miss Dr. Walker, left Richmond for a swap on the James. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 13 1864: Departures by flag-of-truce. –Four hundred and twenty-five … Continue reading →

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a whittlin’ in the sun

Posted on August 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond newspaper reprinted the following report, in which a British war correspondent doubts that General Grant and the Union forces were going to defeat the South, with its armies motivated by hatred for the enemy and love of states’ … Continue reading →

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‘accidental explosion’ … City Point

Posted on August 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a huge explosion occurred at the wharf at City Point, a major Union supply depot and General Grant’s headquarters. At the time most people assumed it was an accident. It was later learned that Confederate saboteur … Continue reading →

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accidental explosion … Manchester

Posted on August 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

An explosion at a Virginia foundry on August 6, 1864 maimed and killed eight people – slaves working at the foundry and three white boys who had been warned about the danger. Some shells picked up from battlefields to be … Continue reading →

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