Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Month

February interlude

Posted on February 21, 2014 by SUMPTER

Things had been pretty quiet in Northern Virginia. 150 years ago today (pages 166-167) General Meade, the North’s commander in the theater, wrote a letter to his wife explaining that “I returned from Washington to-day, very much fatigued and worn … Continue reading →

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confusing government?

Posted on February 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

On February 1, 1864 President Lincoln ordered a draft of 500,000 men. Democrat papers in upstate New York examined the president’s words to try to figure out how many previous enrollees might be credited toward the new call. I’m about … Continue reading →

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“rotten eggs were in demand”

Posted on February 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

According to this account, Confederate patriots broke up a peace meeting 150 years ago this month in Greensboro, North Carolina. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 6, 1864: A Peace meeting in North Carolina. –The New York papers, which copy … Continue reading →

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‘The Times They Are a-Changin’

Posted on January 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

A man in central New York state was resisting big changes in traditional roles for women and black people in mid-nineteeth century America. He reviewed a presentation by a woman who had spent some time involved with trying to educate … Continue reading →

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recent history

Posted on January 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

It’s been less than a year since the 33rd New York Infantry Regiment, an early two year organization, was mustered out. 150 years ago a chronicle of its service had just been published. From a Seneca County, New York in … Continue reading →

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working furlough

Posted on January 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

At sometime during January 1864, 6,000 Union soldiers were bottlenecked in Elmira, New York waiting for trains south. Some of the soldiers were probably new recruits; others veterans returning from furlough. We read that out west General Grant was cancelling … Continue reading →

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shrapnel shell

Posted on January 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1864: A Rebel Shell. Jas. Townsend, formerly of this village [Seneca Falls], and a member of the 1st New Jersey Battery, has left upon our table a rebel shrapnel shell, which … Continue reading →

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still heading south

Posted on January 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

The North needed men to continue a “vigorous prosecution” of the war. 150 years ago this month large numbers were waiting at the Elmira, New York railroad depot for their trip South. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in … Continue reading →

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honoring his mother …

Posted on January 18, 2014 by SUMPTER

and honoring her son From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1864: PRESENTATION OF A BATTLE-FLAG. – The members of the 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, have recently presented their old battle-flag to Mrs. Rachel Nevius, of Lodi, in … Continue reading →

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cold snap

Posted on January 3, 2014 by SUMPTER

I thought 3 °F seemed kind of cold this morning – and I sure wasn’t outside for a whole guard shift From a Seneca County, New York in January 1864: During the recent cold snap, eighty soldiers on guard at … Continue reading →

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