Category Archives: Siege of Petersburg

this is the end … (apr)

Posted on April 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

Another Monday morning in Richmond. Another pugnacious editorial from the Daily Dispatch? No, as the paper explained eight months later, it went temporarily out of business 150 years ago today as Richmond burned and the Union army entered the city. … Continue reading →

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“the disruption of a great Government”

Posted on April 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

“and the ruin of an entire people” 150 years ago today the Union army attacked the outnumbered Army of Northern Virginia along the Petersburg-Richmond front. The rebel army retreated and the rebel government had to evacuate its capital. And Raphael … Continue reading →

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“Happily, events are now approaching a crisis”

Posted on March 30, 2015 by SUMPTER

If the North wins the war, subjugates the South, and replaces the utopian slave labor system, the country will become “a howling wilderness.” Despite a reported prediction by General Grant, there is no evidence that Richmond is about to be … Continue reading →

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“the whole country is ignorant of the impending calamity”

Posted on March 27, 2015 by SUMPTER

Another plucky Monday morning editorial from the Richmond Daily Dispatch on March 27, 1865: Monday morning…March 27, 1865. Our sincere condolences are respectfully proffered to Sir Frederick Bruce, the new British Minister to Washington. His predecessor, Lord Lyons, has been … Continue reading →

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puncture … patched

Posted on March 25, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: The Progress of the War. On Saturday morning just before daybreak, three divisions of the enemy made a sudden and determined attack on Fort Steadman, in front of Petersburg, overpowering … Continue reading →

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information please

Posted on March 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

papers closed and mail disrupted The success of the Union armies is putting a big crimp in the newspaper business. Even though everything was reported quiet at Petersburg (although “consolidation” was imminent), the Southern mail wasn’t able to leave Richmond … Continue reading →

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“pride & patriotism”

Posted on March 23, 2015 by SUMPTER

The South needed patriotic and heroic farmers to cultivate the land despite Yankee plunder and destruction. Refugees crowded into Richmond ought to move back to the country. Even as more and more cities were evacuated to the Union armies, the … Continue reading →

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“Progress of the war.”

Posted on March 13, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Confederacy was in crisis, but Congress had apparently been content to finish up its legislative session and head home. President Davis asked them to stay, and 150 years ago today he laid out the important matters that Congress needed … Continue reading →

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Brevet Major McDonald

Posted on March 12, 2015 by SUMPTER

Most of the 50th New York Engineers are still participating in the siege of Petersburg and James H. McDonald of Seneca Falls is still in the news. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865: BREVETED [sic] MAJOR. … Continue reading →

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cop-out confederacy?

Posted on March 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

Walter Taylor, Lee’s Adjutant, observed a collapsing Confederacy. In a letter he wrote to his beloved Bettie 150 years ago today, Colonel Taylor objected to Confederate leaders blaming the people for why the war could not go on. After all, … Continue reading →

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