Category Archives: Northern Society

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 →

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

can’t go back

Posted on February 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday abolitionist Wendell Phillips spoke in New York City about his views on the Union after the North presumably won the shooting war. He seemed to imply that reconstruction would be complete when the South was an … Continue reading →

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

confusing government?

Posted on February 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

On February 1, 1864 President Lincoln ordered a draft of 500,000 men. Democrat papers in upstate New York examined the president’s words to try to figure out how many previous enrollees might be credited toward the new call. I’m about … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Lincoln Administration, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

rail-splitter’s new tools

Posted on February 12, 2014 by SUMPTER

Almost a year and a half ago Democrats in Seneca Falls, New York formed a McClellan Club. Here’s a report about an organization in New York City that supported President Lincoln and the Union. One of the speakers modified the … Continue reading →

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

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 →

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

From DC to the Cooper

Posted on February 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

It certainly wasn’t a novelty for New York City’s Cooper Institute to host an abolitionist presentation, but 150 years ago this week the speaker was Anna Elizabeth Dickinson, the first woman to speak before the U.S. Congress. It looks like … Continue reading →

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

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’

Posted on January 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

A man in central New York state was resisting big changes in traditional roles for women and black people in mid-nineteeth century America. He reviewed a presentation by a woman who had spent some time involved with trying to educate … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Lincoln Administration, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

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

skating … or not

Posted on January 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

Here a Northern newspaper acknowledged the huge contrast between the suffering soldiers and the still luxurious life at home. For all the people in New York could tell, the fighting might just as well have been in China. The least … Continue reading →

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

still heading south

Posted on January 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

The North needed men to continue a “vigorous prosecution” of the war. 150 years ago this month large numbers were waiting at the Elmira, New York railroad depot for their trip South. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in … Continue reading →

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