Category Archives: Military Matters

unoriginal devil

Posted on March 4, 2013 by SUMPTER

The following article finds that there was a British template for President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Twenty-five years earlier a writer in Fraser’s magazine suggested a crusade to free American slaves as the only way the United Kingdom had a chance … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Still trusting the old ship

Posted on March 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

The New York 33rd Volunteer Infantry has less than three months remaining in its two year enlistment. Here’s a letter home from a member of the 33rd. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863: Patriotic Letter from a … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Union Ninth

Posted on February 28, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Union IX Corps left the Army of the Potomac in February, 1863. It would eventually make its way to Vicksburg in June to support the siege. Here’s a couple photos of its departure at Aquia Creek: And what it … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Military Matters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

War, Peruvian Style

Posted on February 20, 2013 by SUMPTER

I thought this was a pretty interesting juxtaposition from 150 Februaries ago. A southern newspaper criticized the North for not being merciful enough in its war effort and then criticized George McClellan for not using or knowing how to properly … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

‘then comes marriage’

Posted on February 14, 2013 by SUMPTER

This imaged was published in the April 4, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly. You can view Alfred R. Waud’s picture full-size and read his accompanying description of the wedding at Son of the South: Few persons are wedded under more … Continue reading →

Posted in Military Matters | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pressman Promoted

Posted on February 9, 2013 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper on February 7, 1863: Promoted. We are pleased to learn that GEORGE A. SHERMAN, formerly foreman in this office, who volunteered last summer as a private in Company K, 126th Regiment, has been … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Death of an Irish woman

Posted on February 7, 2013 by SUMPTER

I’m not sure how much of a mystery the death turned out to be, but this story would seem to indicate that Union troops were finally getting paid and sending remittances back to their loved ones. From a Seneca County, … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A cold night in Richmond

Posted on February 6, 2013 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 5, 1863: The coldest night. –Tuesday night was the coldest one since 1857. This fact was ascertained by a comparison of the thermometer at the City Water Works, where the mercury in the tube … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Burned up

Posted on January 29, 2013 by SUMPTER

A Democrat publication in western New York state uses Ambrose Burnside’s resignation from command of the Army of the Potomac as reason to launch another tirade against the Lincoln Administration. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863: Resignation … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Yankee Go Home

Posted on January 18, 2013 by SUMPTER

Paroled Union soldiers roaming the streets, especially offensive to Confederate soldiers’ loved ones From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 17, 1863: Are the Yankees in possession of Montgomery? –The Montgomery Advertiser says: The question was quite seriously mooted yesterday and … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Civil War prisons, Confederate States of America, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment