Category Archives: Military Matters

tough “tug of war” ahead

Posted on February 19, 2015 by SUMPTER

It seems like it was a rough week 150 years ago for the Palmetto state, the first star on the Confederate flag. Columbia, South Carolina’s capital fell to Sherman’s army and much of the city burned. The next day Charleston, … Continue reading →

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praying for spring?

Posted on February 18, 2015 by SUMPTER

Elmira, New York, as a prison for captured rebels and as a recruiting and mustering in place for new Union soldiers, was in the news 150 years ago this month. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 18, 1865: Religion in … Continue reading →

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freedom on offer?

Posted on February 11, 2015 by SUMPTER

On February 9, 1865 Richmond held a meeting to take stock of the unsuccessful peace negotiations held earlier in the month and to discuss what to do next. Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin was one of the speakers. He … Continue reading →

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bewildered

Posted on February 10, 2015 by SUMPTER

As a local paper in the Finger Lakes region began compiling information about the early February fight around Hatcher’s Run, it criticized someone’s praise of General Grant’s tactics in an action that cost 800 Union casualties. From a Seneca County, … Continue reading →

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review board

Posted on February 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

Many states and localities were dissatisfied with the quotas assigned them under the December 19th call for 300,000 more soldiers. President Lincoln ordered a board to determine fair quotas so the draft could proceed speedily. I do not know if … Continue reading →

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“the Yankees were moving”

Posted on February 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

As “Lee’s Adjutant”, Walter Taylor, wrote to his girlfriend, 150 years ago today he had to leave church service early because he received word that, groundhog-like, the Union army had aroused itself from winter slumber and was on the move. … Continue reading →

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pledging allegiance

Posted on February 4, 2015 by SUMPTER

States’ Rights was dying hard in the South, a couple Virginia regiments were still full of fight. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 4, 1865: Saturday morning…February 4, 1865. … Rebellion. Even Lord John Russell confesses his inability to see … Continue reading →

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pleading with the president

Posted on February 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

New York State and its localities were unhappy with the way the federal government was conducting the draft in the winter of 1865. Governor Reuben Fenton sent a couple state senators to Washington, D.C. to complain to the nation’s chief … Continue reading →

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making tracks for peace?

Posted on February 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

President Lincoln was going to talk with the rebel peace commissioners. The first leg of his journey was by train. From The New-York Times February 3, 1865: THE PEACE CONFERENCE; MOVEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT. He is Summoned to Fortress M[o]nroe … Continue reading →

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ice blockade

Posted on January 29, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was reported that Mother Nature helped out the rebel cause a bit. Presumably federal government horses and mules were at risk. From The New-York Times January 29, 1865: NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.; MR. BLAIR’S PRIVATE PAPERS. Special Dispatches to the … Continue reading →

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