Category Archives: Siege of Petersburg

doubtless

Posted on March 3, 2015 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 3, 1865: The Richmond and Petersburg lines. Everything remains quiet on these lines, and is so likely to continue while the rain and mud lasts, and of these there seems to be no end. … Continue reading →

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Save Our South!

Posted on February 20, 2015 by SUMPTER

I guess desperate times really do call for desperate measures. In its Monday morning editorial the Dispatch calls for the Confederate Congress to let General Lee use slaves as soldiers in exchange for their freedom. As you can read, the … Continue reading →

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bewildered

Posted on February 10, 2015 by SUMPTER

As a local paper in the Finger Lakes region began compiling information about the early February fight around Hatcher’s Run, it criticized someone’s praise of General Grant’s tactics in an action that cost 800 Union casualties. From a Seneca County, … Continue reading →

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“the Yankees were moving”

Posted on February 5, 2015 by SUMPTER

As “Lee’s Adjutant”, Walter Taylor, wrote to his girlfriend, 150 years ago today he had to leave church service early because he received word that, groundhog-like, the Union army had aroused itself from winter slumber and was on the move. … Continue reading →

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pledging allegiance

Posted on February 4, 2015 by SUMPTER

States’ Rights was dying hard in the South, a couple Virginia regiments were still full of fight. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 4, 1865: Saturday morning…February 4, 1865. … Rebellion. Even Lord John Russell confesses his inability to see … Continue reading →

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ice blockade

Posted on January 29, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was reported that Mother Nature helped out the rebel cause a bit. Presumably federal government horses and mules were at risk. From The New-York Times January 29, 1865: NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.; MR. BLAIR’S PRIVATE PAPERS. Special Dispatches to the … Continue reading →

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James River battle

Posted on January 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

In January 1865 the Confederate navy on the James River attempted to attack and destroy the Federal supply depot at City Point in order to help lift the siege of Richmond and Petersburg. The Confederate fleet was stopped at the … Continue reading →

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“put our trust in the God of Battles”

Posted on January 15, 2015 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: PATRIOTIC LETTER FROM AN IRISH SOLDIER. The following is an extract from a letter written by John Graham, of this village, to his friend James Hughes, dated City Point, Va., Jan. … Continue reading →

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new year’s lottery

Posted on January 6, 2015 by SUMPTER

A Richmond editorial maintained that the South would always enjoy a “superabundance of bread and meat.” Apparently that superabundance wasn’t always making it to the front. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 6, 1865: The soldiers’ New-year’s dinner. Camp first … Continue reading →

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break before more war

Posted on December 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

An officer who completed his three year gig with the Infantry and then signed back up – with the Engineers. He was able to take a break sometime 150 years ago this month. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper … Continue reading →

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