Category Archives: Lincoln Administration

Lincoln and the federal government

“A Day of Infamy and Disgrace”

Posted on July 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today riots broke out in New York City. The immediate cause was the commencement of the draft in New York Congressional districts. As James McPerson pointed out, most of the New York militia and federal troops were … Continue reading →

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“names ticketed and boxed”

Posted on July 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

… the almost universal expression is that of satisfaction and acquiescence in the wisdom and propriety of the measure. Especially if you can find a substitute or come up with $300 for the IRS From The New-York Times July 11, … Continue reading →

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infernal machinery

Posted on July 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

Here are a couple articles from a Democrat newspaper in the Finger Lakes area of New York State that warn about the coming draft of July 1863. The stories support a couple points made by James McPherson in his discussion … Continue reading →

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Change and Hope

Posted on June 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

My jaw pretty near dropped. One of the Democrat newspapers from Seneca County, New York had a smidgen of praise for President Lincoln in this editorial printed in July 1863: Exit Fighting Joe Hooker. The President, trembling with fear and … Continue reading →

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Alarmed

Posted on June 22, 2013 by SUMPTER

The May 30, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly criticized the Lincoln administration for not trusting the Northern public. The editorial pointed out two examples – locking up traitorous speakers like Clement Vallandigham and not immediately announcing military defeats. 150 years … Continue reading →

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“a pistol at his ear” and Gettysburgh

Posted on June 21, 2013 by SUMPTER

The New York Freeman was a Roman Catholic, pro-Confederate newspaper that was shuttered by Secretary of state William Seward for anti-Union activity from August 1861 to April 1862. This reprinted editorial criticizes the Lincoln administration for acting above the law. … Continue reading →

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“threatening to make inroads”

Posted on June 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today some Confederate troops entered Pennsylvania as part of the Army of Northern Virginia’s invasion of the Union. It has been written that the federal War Department was ignorant of the exact disposition of the rebel forces, … Continue reading →

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“a rather dismal joke”

Posted on June 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times June 13, 1863: IMAGINARY FEARS. — One of our neighbors affects great alarm over the “fearful danger of a centralization and consolidation of the Government.” Just at this moment this sounds like a rather dismal joke. … Continue reading →

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Draft trumps geometry

Posted on June 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

How do you beat the Confederate strategy of using interior lines to concentrate its troops at any threatened point? The New-York Times says to use overwhelming numbers at multiple points simultaneously. The Conscription Act of 1863 is conveniently giving the … Continue reading →

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Banished

Posted on May 25, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1863: The Hon. CLEMENT L. VALLANDIGHAM reached Murfresboro [sic], Tenn., on the 24th inst., and was escorted to the rebel lines. – the rebel pickets at first refused to receive him, … Continue reading →

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