Author Archives: SUMPTER

F Grade

Posted on May 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat recap of the first stages of the spring campaign in 1864 wasn’t too impressed with the new Lieutenant General. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: The Fight for Richmond. The advance of our armies … Continue reading →

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“false and spurious”

Posted on May 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

President Lincoln wasn’t going to shut down a paper for printing exaggerated stories about the in-laws, but he acted promptly when a couple journals published a fabricated presidential call for 400,000 more soldiers and a Day of Thanksgiving. The date … Continue reading →

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Letter from Malvern Hill

Posted on May 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

According to Civil War clippings at the Seneca Falls public library, the 8th New York Calvary was home on furlough in March 1864 and H.B. Compson, one of the regiment’s members from Seneca County, had recently been promoted. Back at … Continue reading →

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headbanger

Posted on May 15, 2014 by SUMPTER

Grant is beating his head against a wall. 150 years ago today Walter Herron Taylor, an aide to General Robert E. Lee, got off a letter to his beloved Bettie. From Lee’s Adjutant: The Wartime Letters of Colonel Walter Herron … Continue reading →

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Euromarket

Posted on May 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

The Albany Argus claimed that the Lincoln Administration was under-reporting Union casualties for the “European market.” Meanwhile, a more pro-Administration publication was still concerned about some type of European intervention in the war, especially with France and Maximilian in Mexico. … Continue reading →

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“breathless anxiety”

Posted on May 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

Seneca Falls newspapers during the war seem to have been weeklies. Here’s a recap of the first week of the Overland campaign. The New-York Times seemed almost euphoric as the great battles commenced; this Democrat paper took a more negative … Continue reading →

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printers to the front

Posted on May 12, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago a Richmond paper couldn’t give its readers as much war news as it would have liked because its some of it employees were called to military duty. However, people could rest assured: General Lee telegraphed that the … Continue reading →

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The Obituary of Ira Munson

Posted on May 10, 2014 by SUMPTER

he replied that he should never leave the boys whom he had induced to enlist, while he was able to do duty. The big notebooks of newspaper clippings from the Civil War era in the Seneca Falls, New York public … Continue reading →

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not jostled – thanks!

Posted on May 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: RECOMMENDATION OF THANKSGIVING. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 9, 1864 TO THE FRIENDS OF UNION AND LIBERTY: Enough is known of army operations, within the last five days, to claim our … Continue reading →

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‘elections have consequences’

Posted on May 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

James S. Wadsworth was the unsuccessful Republican candidatefor New York State governor in 1862. After his defeat he continued to serve in the Union army. He was mortally wounded on May 6, 1864 during the Battle of the Wilderness. He … Continue reading →

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