Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Month

fact check

Posted on September 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month The Old Guard published the following: William H. Seward delivered his “irrepressible conflict” speech in 1858. Daniel Webster died in 1852. Abolitionists felt betrayed by Webster’s support of the Compromise of 1850 and its Fugitive … Continue reading →

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“Dead House”

Posted on September 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

I’m about a week late with this article from a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1863: We are pained to learn of the death of PETER W. BOCKOVEN, son of GEO. W. BOCKOVEN of this town, which occurred … Continue reading →

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sigh of relief

Posted on August 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

A conservative, Democrat paper reprinted an article maintaining that the black troops that fought for the North at Port Hudson were not the super warriors and/or super savages that some initial reports indicated. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading →

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The rides’s on US

Posted on August 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

In compliance with the 1863 Conscription Act men in Seneca County have been enrolled and drafted. The next step is for the drafted men to appear before the Board of Enrollment to be examined for their fitness to serve. Here … Continue reading →

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Stay of Draft Execution?

Posted on August 7, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in August 1863: The Draft at Home. During the past week efforts have been made to show by the official records at Albany that Seneca Falls has furnished, over and above the several … Continue reading →

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benign bureaucrats

Posted on July 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

Apparently some shrewd lawyers and agents were trying to make a buck by representing newly drafted men for exemption claims. Auburn, New York’s Provost Marshal said that representation was unnecessary – the conscripts can completely trust the Board of Enrollment. … Continue reading →

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Charlie Wheeler’s Funeral

Posted on July 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a young woman from Canandaigua, New York attended the funeral of a soldier killed at Gettysburg. Captain Wheeler of the 126th New York Infantry had been killed by a sharpshooter on the morning of July 3rd. … Continue reading →

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If

Posted on July 25, 2013 by SUMPTER

Press scrutiny of the Conscription drawings A Democrat paper went to Auburn 150 years ago today to make sure the draft was carried out fairly. It reported that everything seemed fair – as long as the names in the box … Continue reading →

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“tax ourselves”

Posted on July 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

In reviewing the Conscription Act of 1863, James M. McPherson writes that “Substitution was hallowed by tradition … The Republican architects of the draft law inserted commutation as a means of putting a cap on the price of substitutes … … Continue reading →

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a little less “gigantic Power”

Posted on July 23, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Mississippi might be basically under Federal control now, but the Richmond press can still celebrate signs of rebel life out west. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 22, 1863: Destruction of a Federal gunboat by a torpedo. A dispatch … Continue reading →

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