Category Archives: Military Matters

flags, fireworks, and a fair

Posted on February 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today New York City celebrated George Washington’s birthday, and a sanitary fair opened in Brooklyn to support the United States Sanitary Commission. From The New-York Times February 23, 1864: WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY.; CELEBRATION IN THIS CITY AND VICINITY. Opening … Continue reading →

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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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no more prisoners?

Posted on February 15, 2014 by SUMPTER

For over three months the New York First Veteran Cavalry had been stationed at the cavalry depot near Washington, D.C. In early February 1864 the regiment left the capital and headed to the Harper’s Ferry area. Our SENECA correspondent wrote … Continue reading →

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stung on the ‘underground railroad’

Posted on February 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond embalmer was charged with helping to conduct Confederate deserters north with his coffin wagon. He was caught as part of a sting operation conducted by the police. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 13, 1864: Local Matters. Bribery … Continue reading →

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camouflaged explosive devices

Posted on February 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

The Union was building a huge navy to support army operations and to blockade southern ports. The Confederacy was never going to build enough ships to compete straight up against the North. In the latter part of 1863 Thomas Edgeworth … Continue reading →

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Streight away

Posted on February 10, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this morning jailers at Richmond’s Libby Prison found out they had lost something – 109 Union officer prisoners who escaped during the night through a tunnel they had dug. Although Colonel Thomas E. Rose was the leader … Continue reading →

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little drummer boy …

Posted on February 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

… promoted to sergeant for shooting a rebel officer 150 years ago the Northern press celebrated a young hero. From the February 6, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly (at Son of the South): SERGEANT JOHN CLEM. OUR YOUNGEST SOLDIER. SERGEANT … Continue reading →

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bacon savings

Posted on February 3, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Richmond Daily Dispatch February 3, 1864: A Model company. –How many corporations will seek and endeavor to get letters like that given below? Such an autograph from Gen. Johnston would be a valuable addition to any dividend … 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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