Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Month

halt the juggernaut

crushing the rebellion crushing the Union? A publication in upstate New York called for the end of the war and its great costs in terms of the dead and maimed, the public debt, and the loss of Constitutional liberty. From … Continue reading

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convalescing

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“natal day” blues

SENECA reported that the Union army got pushed out of the Shenandoah Valley again. On July 4th his New York 1st Veteran Cavalry was crossing the Potomac – in retreat, pursued by the rebels. From a Seneca County, New York … Continue reading

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bridge engineers

News filtered back that a soldier from Seneca Falls and his men did good work building a bridge for the Army of the Potomac in June. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in July 1864: THE 50TH N.Y. ENGINEERS. … Continue reading

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missing Stonewall

A couple correspondents from the New York 1st Veteran cavalry maintained that the Union occupation of Staunton, Virginia in early June 1864 was quite well-received by the citizens. SENECA said everything was passing off quite smoothly as the Union demolished … Continue reading

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bushwacker aversion

The SENECA correspondent has written many letters about the exploits of New York’s 1st Veteran Cavalry. The following is a different take on the death of Captain Brett, the battle of Piedmont, and the brutal march over the mountains with … Continue reading

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Brothers at Cold Harbor

If I’m reading this right, a soldier mortally wounded at Cold Harbor had his remains back home and buried a week later. It probably helped that his brother could identify him and take charge of his embalmed body. From the … Continue reading

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mountain march

SENECA was pleased as Punch that he could write home about the Union success at Piedmont, but there was a problem even in victory – what to do with the all those captured rebels. Come to find out, the New … Continue reading

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The trials of Silas Moore

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: Returned to the Service. The trial of SILAS MOORE, of this village, at Elmira, for desertion, resulted in his conviction and he was sentenced to serve in the army for … Continue reading

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capital gratitude

150 years ago this week VMI cadets were in Richmond, where the were thanked for their valor in helping the Confederates win the Battle of New Market. Governor “Extra Billy” Smith also presented them with a new flag. From the … Continue reading

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