Category Archives: Military Matters

“new thinning out”

Posted on September 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

September 1864 was another draft month in the North. Here’s some sarcasm, first from a paper in central New York State and then from the Richmond Dispatch as it reported on Ohio Governor John Brough’s warning against draft resistance. From … Continue reading →

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“bulldog grip”

Posted on September 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

Things are a bit slower up here in the country, especially when you publish a non-daily paper. Here’s a digest of some recent operations on two major fronts. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper on September 1, 1864: War … Continue reading →

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mechanics of war

Posted on August 26, 2014 by SUMPTER
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“annihilated by their own stomachs”

Posted on August 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

Captain James H. McDonald of the 50th New York Engineers has already served in the war for over three years. He recovered from being wounded in the arm at Fredericksburg. In this recruiting letter he promoted the Engineers as being … Continue reading →

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grounded steamers captured

Posted on August 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863: A Rebel Raid into Illinois.   CAIRO, ILL., Aug. 13 [sic?]. About 500 rebel [c]avalry, under Col. Jonson [sic], crossed the Ohio river into Illinois, at Saline Bar Saturday. The steamers … Continue reading →

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‘accidental explosion’ … City Point

Posted on August 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a huge explosion occurred at the wharf at City Point, a major Union supply depot and General Grant’s headquarters. At the time most people assumed it was an accident. It was later learned that Confederate saboteur … Continue reading →

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the bugs of August

Posted on August 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago tonight Walter Taylor began another letter to his girlfriend. “Lee’s Adjutant” didn’t have to endure life in the trenches, but the intense heat and omnipresent insects were getting on his nerves. Camp at Violet Bank: Sunday night … Continue reading →

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blackberry brandy

Posted on August 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

a “sovereign balm” Diarrhea/dysentery was one of the major killing diseases for Civil War soldiers . 150 years ago this week New Yorkers were urged to contribute whatever blackberry products they could to help hospitals fight the sickness. From The … Continue reading →

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“literally strewn with dead negroes”

Posted on August 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

The negroes fought quite well to-day, and charged, crying, “No quarter — remember Fort Pillow.” It appears that 150 years ago today Richmond had more up-to-date information about the Battle of the Crater than New York. From the Richmond Daily … Continue reading →

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retaliation, reprisals

Posted on July 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a rebel force burned much of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Here’s the intro from an article at the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission: On July 30, 1864, Confederate troops entered the south central Pennsylvania town of Chambersburg. Their … Continue reading →

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