Category Archives: Military Matters

hero warship

Posted on January 7, 2015 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month the French-built CSS Stonewall took to the seas. It’s goal was to make its way to the New World to attack the Yankee navy and Yankee commerce. 150 years ago this week a Southern newspaper … Continue reading →

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new year’s lottery

Posted on January 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

A Richmond editorial maintained that the South would always enjoy a “superabundance of bread and meat.” Apparently that superabundance wasn’t always making it to the front. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 6, 1865: The soldiers’ New-year’s dinner. Camp first … Continue reading →

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beauty pageant

Posted on January 1, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Battle of Franklin was already over a month old when a local newspaper reprinted the following editorial 150 years ago this month. As the war entered its fifth calendar year were the people becoming brutalized, insensate; numb to the … Continue reading →

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the Butler did it

Posted on December 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently, even Union Secretary of War Stanton had to rely on Confederate newspapers for his first report to General Dix regarding the failed attack on Fort Fisher. From The New-York Times December 29, 1864: WILMINGTON.; THE ATTACK ON FORT FISHER. … Continue reading →

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break before more war

Posted on December 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

An officer who completed his three year gig with the Infantry and then signed back up – with the Engineers. He was able to take a break sometime 150 years ago this month. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading →

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it’s the rebel armies, stupid

Posted on December 27, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat publication looked at the undoubted brilliance of General Sherman’s campaign through Georgia – and found the Lincoln administration wanting. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: The Capture of Savannah. The War Department received dispatches … Continue reading →

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boxing day thanks

Posted on December 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

In didn’t take President Lincoln long to get to his Christmas thank you notes in 1864. Of course, when someone gives you an entire city, it’s probably not a bad idea to make sure you show your gratitude. From The … Continue reading →

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dinner plans changed

Posted on December 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

Two big war events 150 years ago this week were the capture of Savannah and the attempt to capture Fort Fisher. It took a while for the news to make its way up to upstate New York. Here’s an article … Continue reading →

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Hardee not Lincoln

Posted on December 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

When a Richmond paper heard the news about the fall of Savannah, it spun it positive – unlike American forces in Charleston during the Revolutionary War, General Hardee’s army escaped. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 29, 1864: Thursday morning…December … Continue reading →

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2 + 2

Posted on December 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

As Democrat paper in the Finger Lakes region of New York State absorbed a couple of the significant events that occurred 150 years this week – the Union victory at Nashville and President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more volunteers – … Continue reading →

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