Tag Archives: Peninsula Campaign

Crimson Tide in Virginia

Posted on June 29, 2012 by SUMPTER

Both The New-York Times and the Richmond Daily Dispatch 150 years ago were having trouble keeping up with all the battles and troop movements during the Seven Days’ Battles, including the June 29th Battle of Savage’s Station. (In fact, the … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Merciful McClellan

Posted on June 25, 2012 by SUMPTER

A Kinder, Gentler Army? The first part of the following is an order by General McClellan forbidding his troops to maraud the locals, which would seem to me to make good policy sense. As you can read, the second order … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pep talk from General Longstreet

Posted on June 22, 2012 by SUMPTER

Battle sounds worse than it is. “Keep cool, obey orders, and aim low” From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 23, 1862: Gen. Longstreet’s address. The following address has been issued to the men of his division by Gen. Longstreet. It … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Confederate States of America, Military Matters, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dewey Beats Truman

Posted on June 5, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today The New-York Times. devoted its front page to the Battle of Seven Pines. The paper’s battlefield correspondent made the following statement in his report: “The fall of Richmond will take place without another battle.” The editors … Continue reading →

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

Scalped?

Posted on June 4, 2012 by SUMPTER

“Beauty and Booty”, “ruthless tyrant’s march”, “Hessians”. So far the South has found lots of ways to put down the North and strike a little extra fear into the hearts of Southerners as the Union army invades. 150 years ago … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Northern Society, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Trying to avoid being “sent to our long home”

Posted on May 26, 2012 by SUMPTER

There was a fight near Mechanicsville, Virginia on May 23-24, 1862. It involved the Union brigade led by General John W. Davidson. The 33rd New York Infantry Regiment took part. Apparently a member of the band wrote the following letter … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stars and Stripes “Over” Richmond

Posted on May 24, 2012 by SUMPTER

Or, at least its northern suburbs From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 24, 1862: Yankee Devices –Our Northern brethren are now engaged in an assiduous endeavor to restore the Union and set the Stars and Stripes afloat in Richmond, by … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters, Peninsula campaign 1862 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fighting It Out In the Old Dominion

Posted on May 16, 2012 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 16, 1862: Virginia not to be surrendered. Two gratifying papers were communicated to the Virginia Legislature yesterday — a Message from Governor Letcher, and a communication from the President of the Confederacy, giving the … Continue reading →

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

Valor in Defeat

Posted on May 15, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a Union flotilla, advancing up the James River to assault Richmond, was repulsed by the Confederates at Drewry’s Bluff. The USS Galena absorbed the brunt of the rebel fire. Marine corporal John Freeman Mackie, onboard the … Continue reading →

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

Bedding Down with the Dead and Wounded

Posted on May 5, 2012 by SUMPTER

In the rain and mud 150 years ago today the Battle of Williamsburg was fought. Here’s how the lieutenant colonel of the 33rd New York wrote home about the regiment’s role in the fight. The 33rd was in Smith’s division … Continue reading →

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