Erstwhile Okie on St. Mark's Place. "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."
· 1 min read
2 years ago
On June 26th, 1777, an officer of the Continental Line, Captain Ephraim Anderson, was killed in the Battle of Short Hills. Three days later, Colonel Israel Sheve wrote in his journal "Col. Rhea Returned with the Body of Capt. Anderson is now Gone to Westfield to Bury him with the honours of war which he Deserves as he fought Brave, and fell in a Glorious Cause." Two hundred and forty-one years later, as a living relative, I got elected to his seat in the Society of the Cincinnati, which a healthy percentage of the people I know are aware of, since I tend to talk about it a lot...
Every October, the Society meets in Washington for a series of meetings and dinners.
One of the memorable highlights of this past weekend was the election of a new representative of Captain Jonathan Phillips by General David Petraeus. As the registrar, I had the honor of introducing him at the formal dinner, and got to visit a bit, (his ancestor, coincidentally, was the executor of the will of mine, the both of them having served in the same regiment), but had more time to speak with his wife since we were seated next to each other at a dinner.
Whenever I get the chance to talk to a notable public figure, I always enjoy asking about the experience. When I asked her to pinpoint when he became known, she mentioned Tom Brokaw referring to a successful "young general" in Mosul in 2003. I said sort of blithely that I find it appealing to have people always wanting to tell you how great you are. She mentioned the security issues, how he had been the only person in Bin Laden's recovered hard drive as a target.
Foxhole
· 1 min read
6 years ago
Commandancy of the Alamo, Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836.
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World:
Fellow citizens & compatriots.I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna.I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken.I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch.The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country.Victory or Death.
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt
P.S. The Lord is on our side.When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn.We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Learning from a soldier of the early 18th century colonial militia about his musket at @locustlawnmuseum
· 1 min read
8 years ago
Longstreet said, âGentlemen, the fate of your country rests on this attack.â
All eyes were on his face. He put out his hand.
âGentlemen, return to your troops.â
Pettigrew took his hand. âSir, I want to say, it is an honor to serve under your command.â
He moved off. Trimble took the hand. He was crying. He said huskily, tears all down the red glistening cheeks, âI want to thank you, sir, for the opportunity you have given me, sir, to serve here. I have prayed, sir.â He stopped, choked. Longstreet pressed his hand. Trimble said, âI will take that wall, sir.â
All Averill wanted for his birthday was a @trooper_clothing marine corps dress uniform. Happy 6th birthday!
On board when I came back after the service
LEE: Rally your division for the defense.
PICKETT: General Lee... I have no division.