Tag Archives: desertion

cold(-hearted) draft

Posted on March 31, 2015 by SUMPTER

Three clippings from Seneca County, New York newspapers in March 1865: The Terrors of the Draft. The hardships of the draft are being seriously felt in many parts of the State. – Families are broken up and in many cases … Continue reading →

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from the quagmire

Posted on February 24, 2015 by SUMPTER

The Civil War has changed America in some ways over the last four years, but Yankees are still firing off cannon to honor Washington’s birthday. And rain makes Virginia “one vast quagmire” – the Dispatch doesn’t anticipate General Grant trying … Continue reading →

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unrepentant

Posted on December 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864: A DESERTER named “French Bill” was hung at Harper’s Ferry a short time ago. The gallows was one of the old fashioned kind, with trap-door, &c. Three thousand soldiers witnessed … Continue reading →

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justices of the peace off to war?

Posted on September 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

9-23-2014: I apologize for putting up misleading information in the following post. Please read Scott Mingus’ comment below. Thank you, Luke Martens Long-time Virginia politician William “Extra Billy” Smith served in the Confederate army until just after Gettysburg. He was … Continue reading →

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pardon from the pres

Posted on July 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

Here’s a bit more about the New York First Veteran Cavalry from 150 years ago today. The commander-in-chief telegraphed Colonel Platner. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: TO COLONEL, FIRST N. Y. VETERAN CAVALRY. EXECUTIVE MANSION, … Continue reading →

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The trials of Silas Moore

Posted on May 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864: Returned to the Service. The trial of SILAS MOORE, of this village, at Elmira, for desertion, resulted in his conviction and he was sentenced to serve in the army for … Continue reading →

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aiding and abedding

Posted on April 29, 2014 by SUMPTER

Desperation sure can lead to some creativity. Here a soldier and his friends used a “novel mode” to try to escape the military, but the Confederate authorities eventually got their man. The Richmond paper reminded their readers about the high … Continue reading →

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just deserts

Posted on April 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

“Tell all my friends to come out of the woods” Regardless of how factual the following letter may have been, it would certainly seem to have had propaganda value as Confederate armies prepared for the upcoming spring campaigns. The Dispatch … Continue reading →

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can’t go back

Posted on February 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago yesterday abolitionist Wendell Phillips spoke in New York City about his views on the Union after the North presumably won the shooting war. He seemed to imply that reconstruction would be complete when the South was an … Continue reading →

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stung on the ‘underground railroad’

Posted on February 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond embalmer was charged with helping to conduct Confederate deserters north with his coffin wagon. He was caught as part of a sting operation conducted by the police. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 13, 1864: Local Matters. Bribery … Continue reading →

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