Tag Archives: Army of Northern Virginia

“Our army is ruined, I fear”

From The New-York Times April 7, 1865: THE REBEL ROUT.; Lee’s Retreat Cut off by Sheridan. BURKESVILLE IN OUR POSSESSION Lee’s Army at Amelia Court House, East of Burkesville. A Junction Between Lee’s Forces and Johnston’s Now Impossible. Sheridan Hopes … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“pride & patriotism”

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

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Siege of Petersburg, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

foreign matter

150 years ago today on March 19, 1865 The New-York Times disagreed with foreigners who believed that the defeat of the main Southern armies would only mean the beginning of a protracted guerrilla war. The Times confidently predicted the breaking … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

out of the scabbard

The South should be invincible because it is fighting to defend its own soil, not to mention that that the Army of Northern Virginia “was never stronger, physically and morally, than at this very hour.” The people just need to … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“the Yankees were moving”

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

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Siege of Petersburg | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

kill ’em with kindness

Families at home trying to survive during a seemingly unending war in which important supplies for the army are questionable – there are reasons for a Confederate soldier to consider deserting, even if they are treated well by their commanders. … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“a question of numbers and of time”

While on winter break in Philadelphia 150 years ago this week, General Meade, commander of the Union Army of the Potomac, was serenaded. He used the occasion to encouraged the walking wounded in the audience to rejoin the army and, … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Northern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

resolution

Another army campaign season has drawn to a close and Richmond still hasn’t fallen. The Confederate Congress said thanks. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 4, 1863: Confederate States Congress. The Senate was called to order by Mr. Hunter, of … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Southern Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Southern army is … the Southern people”

[I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it said that General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia became the Confederacy’s most important national institution. And, of course, I’m paraphrasing] From the Richmond Daily Dispatch September 4, 1863: The spirit of the army. –Every … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“the most perfect stagnation”

It’s been quiet along the major Eastern front. The Army of Northern Virginia is keeping busy with drills and reviews, the latter attended by women spectators. The soldiers seem to be well-fed and desertions are down, thanks to General Lee’s … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment