Category Archives: Veterans

blue, gray, khaki

Posted on November 11, 2024 by SUMPTER

After the United States entered World War I in 1917, Camp Hancock was built near Augusta, Georgia as a training site for U.S. troops. Camp Hancock was named after Civil War general and native Pennsylvanian Winfield Scott Hancock. According to … Continue reading →

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no gift

Posted on September 2, 2024 by SUMPTER

Recently, when I was searching the Library of Congress for “Labor Day,” the September 3, 1921 issue of The Labor World caught my attention. The paper headlined the ‘greatest Labor Day in history;’ and the masthead mentioned Duluth, Minnesota and … Continue reading →

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GAR reunion

Posted on July 31, 2024 by SUMPTER

Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson founded the Grand Army of the Republic on April 6, 1866 in Decatur Illinois. The GAR was a fraternal organization for Union soldiers, sailors, and marines who served during the Civil War. Its guiding principles were … Continue reading →

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no foolin’

Posted on April 12, 2024 by SUMPTER

Libby Prison was one of the places in Richmond. Virginia where the Confederate government housed Yankee prisoners. Last year I was surprised while glancing through a newspaper at the Library of Congress. I noticed what seemed to be an advertisement … Continue reading →

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A death on Kearsarge Avenue

Posted on October 11, 2023 by SUMPTER

For two years the CSS Alabama wreaked havoc with Union shipping. That stopped on June 19, 1864 when the USS Kearsarge sunk the rebel commerce raider off the coast of France. John Winslow, the Kearsarge’s commander, died at his home … Continue reading →

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still salient

Posted on September 15, 2023 by SUMPTER

Thirty years after the Battle of Gettysburg, Union General Daniel Sickles’ management of the Third Corps on the second day of the battle was still controversial. From the August 24, 1893 issue of The National Tribune: THIS country is fortunate … Continue reading →

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peaceful transfer

Posted on January 1, 2023 by SUMPTER

The South had its Fire-Eaters, the North had John A. Dix. While briefly serving as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury for a time before Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, John Dix sent a telegram to Treasury agents in New Orleans ordering them … Continue reading →

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General Meade, R.I.P.

Posted on November 6, 2022 by SUMPTER

The day after his Commander in Chief was re-elected United States President, General George Meade died at his Philadelphia home. From The Chicago Daily Tribune November 8, 1872: IN MEMORIAM. Honors to the Late General Meade. Washington, Nov. 7.—General Sherman … Continue reading →

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redecoration

Posted on May 30, 2021 by SUMPTER

From the June 10, 1871 issue of Harper’s Weekly: From the The New York Herald May 31, 1871: THE NATION’S DEAD. … The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat The Soldier’s last tattoo, No more on life’e parade shall meet … Continue reading →

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sound retreat

Posted on March 20, 2021 by SUMPTER

From the March 18, 1871 issue of Harper’s Weekly: THE SOLDIERS’ HOME. ON one of the most beautiful sites in the neighborhood of Washington stands an edifice of singular attractiveness, known as “The Soldiers’ Home,” of which we give a … Continue reading →

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