Tag Archives: Siege of Petersburg

a whittlin’ in the sun

Posted on August 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond newspaper reprinted the following report, in which a British war correspondent doubts that General Grant and the Union forces were going to defeat the South, with its armies motivated by hatred for the enemy and love of states’ … Continue reading →

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‘accidental explosion’ … City Point

Posted on August 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a huge explosion occurred at the wharf at City Point, a major Union supply depot and General Grant’s headquarters. At the time most people assumed it was an accident. It was later learned that Confederate saboteur … Continue reading →

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the bugs of August

Posted on August 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago tonight Walter Taylor began another letter to his girlfriend. “Lee’s Adjutant” didn’t have to endure life in the trenches, but the intense heat and omnipresent insects were getting on his nerves. Camp at Violet Bank: Sunday night … Continue reading →

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dull day

Posted on August 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

Since there were over 1460 of them, I guess you had to expect a boring one once in a while. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 5, 1864: The War News. There was nothing at all of interest transpiring yesterday … 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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“undermining Petersburg”

Posted on July 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Southern correspondent reported that Grant was going to be leaving Petersburg any time soon; if he dug tunnels for mines at Vicksburg, you could expect the same in his latest siege. Price controls were making it impossible for First … Continue reading →

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suffering in the trenches

Posted on June 28, 2014 by SUMPTER

Sharpshooters making men lie low in extreme heat From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 28, 1864: From the Southside. Saturday was an extremely hot and dusty the even the usual sharpshooting and picket firing between the armies in front of … Continue reading →

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cat fight

Posted on June 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the June 25, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South: It wasn’t just Grant that was determined. On June 24, 1864 General Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac, expressed a desire for peace but … Continue reading →

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war lesson

Posted on June 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

Newspapers in Seneca Falls 150 years ago were not big fans of the Lincoln administration and its war policy, but even the following editorial finds it hard to believe that Petersburg can hold out much longer against the Union army. … Continue reading →

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