Category Archives: Military Matters

unrepentant

Posted on December 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: A DESERTER named “French Bill” was hung at Harper’s Ferry a short time ago. The gallows was one of the old fashioned kind, with trap-door, &c. Three thousand soldiers witnessed … Continue reading →

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leaden sky ledger

Posted on December 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

As a Richmond paper tallied the military balance sheet for 1864, the conclusion was inescapable – the South had had a great year. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864: The Military Account Current Between North and South … Continue reading →

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grand idea

Posted on December 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

Actually, over two grand From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: Arrested for Forgery. Lieut. H.C. Furniss, of Waterloo, is now under arrest at Elmira, charged with forging the name of Provost Marshal Knapp, of this district, … Continue reading →

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“true olive branch”

Posted on December 10, 2014 by SUMPTER

The December 10, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly (at Son of the South was impressed by General Sherman’s operations in Georgia. Here’s an excerpt: SHERMAN’S MARCH. THE campaign of General SHERMAN is striking and daring, but not more so than … Continue reading →

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“virtual defeat”

Posted on December 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat-leaning publication in upstate New York was skeptical about claims of a Union victory at the Battle of Franklin. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: The Battle at Franklin. The battle of Franklin, Tenn., on … Continue reading →

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Samuel Oliver

Posted on December 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently 150 years ago this month the body of a soldier arrived home before word of his death. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: DEATH OF A SOLDIER. – The remains of Corporal Samuel Oliver of … Continue reading →

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capital shells?

Posted on December 5, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today editors in Richmond mentioned that the Union army might be sending some incendiary shells their way in the near future. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 5, 1864: The preparations for shelling Richmond — experiments with … Continue reading →

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“We usually take five at a load”

Posted on December 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times December 4, 1864: HOSPITAL SCENES.; How the Soldiers Are Buried How Their Remains May be Recovered. Correspondence of the New-York Times. UNITED STATES GENERAL HOSPITAL, FORTRESS MONROE, Va., Thursday, Nov. 17, 1864. BURYING THE DEAD. EXHUMING … Continue reading →

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vandals?

Posted on December 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democratic-leaning paper in upstate New York was not quite so enamored of total war in Georgia as The New-York Times appeared to be in its Thanksgiving day issue. Presumably the rebels would soon resist the Union army with a … Continue reading →

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small world

Posted on December 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: PRISONERS HEARD FROM. – The following is an extract from a letter written by Mr. Lewis DeMott, of this village (now in hospital at Annapolis, Md.) to his wife, under … Continue reading →

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