Category Archives: Overland Campaign

“Our loss was not severe”

Posted on June 3, 2014 by SUMPTER

On the evening of July 2, 1864 the Union troops on the front lines at Cold Harbor knew the assault ordered for the next morning was madness. They were close enough to see the strength of the rebel works. They … Continue reading →

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hopeful thinking

Posted on May 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

After church five weeks ago (in 1864 time) General George Meade drove some visitors over to Culpeper to see the new Lieutenant General. 150 years ago today the Army of the Potomac had spent almost four weeks of fighting and … Continue reading →

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Christian Commission

Posted on May 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

we brought up with us nearly three thousand letters, written for disabled soldiers by the delegates of the commission. The New York Times column at left features a matter-of -fact telegram dated May 26, 1864 from Secretary of War Stanton … Continue reading →

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“God save the Lieutenant-General!”

Posted on May 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: TO ALL PATRIOTS. – The New York Times proposes that the whole country send up prayers to Heaven for the protection of the great leader of our army, Lieut-Gen. Grant. … Continue reading →

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deconstructing Bobby Lee

Posted on May 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times May 23, 1864: The Chivalry of the Rebel Gen. Lee. “When monkeys are gods, what must the people be?” ROBERT E. LEE, Commander of the rebel army, is deemed the paragon of Southern chivalry. The rebels … Continue reading →

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“lying about in heaps”

Posted on May 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

One of our local publications reprinted a report from the Albany Argus. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: The Wounded at Fredericksburg. HEART-RENDING SCENES. From a gentleman who arivee [sic] in this city yesterday morning, direct … Continue reading →

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not a trace

Posted on May 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

After the 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry was mustered out, some of its remaining three years’ recruits were transferred to the 49th New York Volunteer Infantry. Edmund Ferren was one of these young men. There is a discrepancy in the … Continue reading →

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F Grade

Posted on May 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat recap of the first stages of the spring campaign in 1864 wasn’t too impressed with the new Lieutenant General. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: The Fight for Richmond. The advance of our armies … Continue reading →

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Letter from Malvern Hill

Posted on May 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

According to Civil War clippings at the Seneca Falls public library, the 8th New York Calvary was home on furlough in March 1864 and H.B. Compson, one of the regiment’s members from Seneca County, had recently been promoted. Back at … Continue reading →

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headbanger

Posted on May 15, 2014 by SUMPTER

Grant is beating his head against a wall. 150 years ago today Walter Herron Taylor, an aide to General Robert E. Lee, got off a letter to his beloved Bettie. From Lee’s Adjutant: The Wartime Letters of Colonel Walter Herron … Continue reading →

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