Category Archives: Reconstruction

Johnson acquitted

Posted on May 26, 2018 by SUMPTER

Spiro Agnew must have seemed like a godsend to our high school Latin teacher. When Vice-president Agnew got into some difficulties with the law in 1973 he eventually resigned from office after pleading no contest, or in Latin nolo contendere, … Continue reading →

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Grant nominated

Posted on May 21, 2018 by SUMPTER

Eight years after Abraham Lincoln was nominated for U.S. President at the Wigwam the Republican party returned to Chicago for its National Convention. This time the meeting was held at Crosby’s Opera-house, which was able to hold about 2500 spectators … Continue reading →

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the recalcitrant seven

Posted on May 16, 2018 by SUMPTER

____________ A couple cartoons in the March 21, 1868 issue of Harper’s Weekly seem to have been pointing out some irony in the struggle between Congress and Andrew Johnson. President Johnson parroted “Constitution” as the justification for his policies, for … Continue reading →

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the long march

Posted on April 14, 2018 by SUMPTER

April 14, 1865 was something of a banner day in Washington, D.C. Gilbert Bates, who had served as a sergeant in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery during the war, arrived on foot in the nation’s capital carrying the Stars and … Continue reading →

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“a secret organization, for no good purpose”

Posted on April 4, 2018 by SUMPTER

According to Wikipedia George W. Ashburn was born in North Carolina and later moved to Georgia. He opposed the secession of Georgia and was commissioned a Colonel in the Union army. In 1867 Mr. Ashburn called to order the Georgia … Continue reading →

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Butler for the prosecution

Posted on March 30, 2018 by SUMPTER

On March 23, 1868 President Andrew Johnson’s defense lawyers answered impeachment charges in the United States Senate – the trial court. The next day “the replication of the House was filed by the Managers of Impeachment. The House simply reasserted … Continue reading →

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Where’s Andy?

Posted on March 13, 2018 by SUMPTER

Friday, March the 13th in 1868 was a dramatic day in Washington, D.C. Having been summoned by the impeachment court on March 8th, President Andrew Johnson was expected to appear in the United States Senate 150 years ago today. Things … Continue reading →

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summons served

Posted on March 7, 2018 by SUMPTER

On March 6, 1868 Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase completed organizing the impeachment court by swearing in the rest of the United States senators, including President Pro Tempore Benjamin F. Wade. The Senate notified the House of Representatives and it … Continue reading →

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cannonball express

Posted on March 5, 2018 by SUMPTER

On March 2, 1868 the United States House of Representatives agreed to nine Articles of Impeachment against President Andrew Johnson. The next day it added two more. You can read a summary of the charges at Wikipedia. Article One was … Continue reading →

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first time for “last resort”

Posted on February 24, 2018 by SUMPTER

On February 22, 1868 the United States House of Representatives began debating its Reconstruction Committee’s report recommending the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. After a Sabbath Day’s rest the debate resumed on Monday the 24th. By 6:00 PM the full … Continue reading →

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