Category Archives: Northern Society

actions speak louder

Posted on December 30, 2013 by SUMPTER

The following editorial might very well have been published nearer the time in May 1863 when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony organized the Woman’s National Loyal League (or the Women’s Loyal National League) in New York City. Nevertheless, … Continue reading →

Posted in Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

riddle me this

Posted on December 27, 2013 by SUMPTER

The Christmastime issue of Harper’s was full of “Humors of the Day.” Here’s a couple of examples. From the December 26, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South: What’s the use of a seat of war to … Continue reading →

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

merry Christmas?

Posted on December 25, 2013 by SUMPTER

For a time when I was growing up I loved playing and playing Christmas records on our family’s hi-fi – day after day throughout pre-Christmas December. I especially remember a couple of the W.T. Grant’s “A Very Merry Christmas” albums … Continue reading →

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

the ball was up

Posted on December 24, 2013 by SUMPTER

Emancipation was the word in 1863. The NY Times was pleased to see women skating expertly, not needing to be accompanied by men. From The New-York Times December 24, 1863: Skating on Central Park Lakes and Fifth-avenue and Other Ponds. … Continue reading →

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

credit the ranks

Posted on December 21, 2013 by SUMPTER

It had been quite a twelve months for Ambrose Burnside – getting whipped at Fredericksburg, the Mud March, Clement Vallandigham, Knoxville. General Burnside and his troops managed to hang on to Knoxville for the Union. After John Foster replaced him … Continue reading →

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

celebrity autograph

Posted on December 18, 2013 by SUMPTER

Here’s some evidence that 150 years ago today exiled Copperhead Clement L. Vallandigham responded to a request for support of the U.S. Sanitary Commission. In lauding the commission’s work Mr. Vallandigham did a pretty thorough job cataloging the horrors or … Continue reading →

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

hitting home

Posted on December 16, 2013 by SUMPTER

I know the feeling. When I read current events, I’m aware I don’t have the energy to feel compassion for all the constant death and destruction around our world. Also, for the most part, I’m very analytic reading about that … Continue reading →

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

crowned

Posted on December 13, 2013 by SUMPTER

Walt Whitman seemed fascinated by it. The Statue of Freedom’s top-most section was put into place in the early days of December 1863. Whitman’s “Genius of Liberty” was on top of the Capitol Dome. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December … Continue reading →

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

Bonds, Town Bonds

Posted on December 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

Men in Seneca Falls, New York might have been voting mostly Democratic in the early 1860’s, but citizens apparently didn’t mind issuing bonds to help pay bounties to encourage recruits for the military. People still wanted to save the Union … Continue reading →

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

Chase report

Posted on December 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

The following is an editorial that assessed Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase’s annual report to Congress. The issuance of greenbacks has been a success and has not increased the money supply beyond the underlying value in the economy. … Continue reading →

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