Tag Archives: Philip Sheridan

standing pat

150 years ago this week President Andrew Johnson delivered his second annual message to Congress. Despite the overwhelming Republican victory in Northern states in the 1866 midterm elections, President Johnson did not alter his position: Southern states should be readmitted … Continue reading

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“wholesale slaughter”

On July 30, 1866 a riot broke out in New Orleans. Louisiana Governor James Madison Wells had called for a convention to “enfranchise blacks, prohibit ‘rebels’ from voting, and establish a new state government.” Opponents, including members of the city … Continue reading

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Pancho and Black Jack

As Walter Stahr explains in his biography of William H. Seward, after the American Civil War ended, famous Union generals were eager to invade Mexico and drive the French and Maximilian I out of North America. Ulysses S. Grant “was … Continue reading

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dropped out at Farmsville

From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapter 66): This [General Lee’s letter of April 7th] was not satisfactory, but I regarded it as deserving another letter and wrote him as follows: April 8, 1865. GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding … Continue reading

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home and way

Apparently a Medal of Honor recipient from Seneca Falls, New York was home on furlough during at least some of the dramatic events in the first part of April 1865. Two clippings from Seneca County, New York newspapers in April … Continue reading

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gallant rebels in another ‘sad defeat’

150 years ago today the Union army defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapters 65 and 66): I then started with a few of my staff and a very small … Continue reading

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“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

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“There has been great privation here — we need not deny it”

A fellow Richmond editor has died. The Dispatch has evidence from occupied Charleston to contradict President Lincoln’s second inaugural address: victorious Yankees would really act with malice toward all white Southerners. The paper also found evidence from General Sheridan’s recent … Continue reading

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capture the flags

Some time after the Union Army of the Shenandoah captured most of Jubal Early’s rebel force at the Battle of Waynesboro, Union General Sheridan sent Major Compson of the 8th New York Cavalry to Washington, D.C. to deliver captured battle … Continue reading

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“The battle raged all day”

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in September 1864: Another Battle. A desperate engagement took place at Opequan Creek [sic], in the Shenandoah Valley on Monday last, between the forces under Gen. Sheridan and those commanded by Gen. Early. … Continue reading

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