September 28, 2008, 10:41 AM | #301 | ||
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Well, I wrote Ranger Don Pfanz at Fredericksburg and asked him about that passage about Hooker at Chancellorsville.
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
||
September 29, 2008, 03:12 AM | #302 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 10, 2008
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 671
|
Here's an anecdote I remember from the book "Yangtze River Patrol", about the U.S. Navy gunboats that patrolled the Chinese River.
In the 1920s one of the gunboats, Monocacy I believe, was making it's way upriver to a port city. As it neared the city it came under intermittent rifle fire from the banks. It wasn't particularly accurate fire, as there really weren't any Chinese marksmen to speak of, but it was galling even though nobody was hurt. It was observed the fire was coming from Chinese soldiers, not bandits. Upon arriving at the city the boat's commander paid a visit to the large home of the general in charge of Chinese troops in the district to complain about the sniping. The general explained the skipper shouldn't worry about it too much, as the soldiers were just young men in high spirits eager for adventure. The skipper replied that he understood completely. As a matter of fact, he had some young men just like that on the ship. Just before leaving for the visit, he caught these young men aiming the 3-inch gun on the fantail at the general's large villa. And with a live round in the breech no less! The sailors explained that the house made too much of a tempting target to use for "aiminig practice". The next time the boat visited that city, they were not fired on from the shore. |
September 29, 2008, 10:33 PM | #303 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Thank you Citizen Carrier. I've only read Adm. Kemp Tolley's book about his time on PGS Tutuila (Naval Institute Press) and that incident wasn't mentioned. Of course, he wouldn't know of it directly. And now the story of the American Four Musketeers. You should know that during the Civil War period, two basic drill manuals were adopted by the armed forces. Hardee and Casey. Scott was the older manual but it was updated by Hardee. Hardee's manual was quickly discarded by the Union at the war's outbreak because Hardee went with the Confederacy and it would not do to use a manual that was written by a rebel. Casey basically copied Hardee but made a few changes. Our story takes place in the Town Hall of Arlington, Massachusetts. The men are from the 40th New York, or the Mozart (Music Hall) Regiment.
Quote:
One famous member of the regiment was Robert Sneden whose collection of paintings were published as Eye of the Storm. They are now in the collection of the Virginia Historical Society.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
October 2, 2008, 07:57 PM | #304 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Fortieth New York or the Mozart Regiment
Don't know them? Well, the book, "Eye of the Storm," made them famous. It is based on the writings of Robert Sneden and his watercolors depicting well known Civil War scenes. Sneden's talents as an artist were quickly recognized and he was transferred to the topographical service. He was captured and sent to Andersonville where, in a starving condition, he consented to serve the Confederates in a clerical capacity. This allowed him access to more food which he shared with his pards. His illustrations were used throughout the book and are very famous today. After modern publication, the owner of the paintings approached the Virginia Historical Society (Richmond) and offered them at a very reasonable price. He knew what he had and wasn't greedy (kudos to him). They bought it immediately. Anyway, you'll have to check out his book if you want to read more Sneden or see his fantastic artwork.
This anecdote doesn't concern Sneden and is about his regiment, the Fortieth New York Volunteer Infantry instead. Known as the Mozart regiment which is short for New York's Mozart Music Hall, they earned a good reputation as fighters and fought at Yorktown, Bull Run II, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the siege of Petersburg. Even the official reports mentioned them not by their numerical designation but as the Mozart Regiment. Here's something most people don't know about them. It's written by the regimental historian and I share it with you now. Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
October 3, 2008, 06:48 PM | #305 |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Biofuels drive up corn prices today, right? Well, something similar happened during the Civil War. Roswell Guards Capt. Tom Edward King was wounded in the ankle while teaching his Yankee counterparts the Bull Run Quick Step at Bull Run. He was hospitalized at Richmond and then returned to Roswell, Georgia to recuperate. Never one to be idle, he began writing Jeff Davis. Apparently some Confederates were more interested in their own economic welfare than that of the Confederacy and it infuriated Capt. Roswell. You see, some folks were disposed towards distilling the corn rather than consuming it as food. Picking up his pen, he wrote that the "gates of hell" were driving up the price of corn and causing a severe shortage. "Unless a stop is put to this criminal waste of the staff of life, it will soon be out of the power of the families of our volunteers to get any and there will be suffering." Capt. Roswell was not alone in his indignation and Georgia Gov. Joseph Brown was also concerned. Before Davis acted, Brown issued a proclamation on Feb. 28, 1862 prohibiting the distillation of spirits and to conserve corn for consumption.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
October 5, 2008, 02:45 PM | #306 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Curing alcoholism
This is an expensive method of curing alcoholism.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
October 9, 2008, 10:43 PM | #307 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
From the regimental history of the 40th New York, the Mozart Regiment
I mentioned them earlier. Here's another funny anecdote involving two Mozarters.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
October 23, 2008, 05:28 PM | #308 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
A tale from Fort Laramie
From Francis Parkman, the author of numerous books, we have this passage from his book, The Oregon Trail. Enjoy.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
October 26, 2008, 09:54 PM | #309 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Another anecdote from Francis Parkman
A lot of Parkman's observations seems familiar to many of we menfolk today. The husband's silence in face of his wife's anger. His ignoring of her ranting. His total disregard of her actions. Yep, many guys do that today too. However, I do not recommend anyone resort to the husband's method of disciplining his wife.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
November 10, 2008, 09:08 PM | #310 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
More military protocol
General Lee was known to the Lost Cause Confederates as the Marble Man. He had a very human touch that was seen by one soldier.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
November 10, 2008, 09:25 PM | #311 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 28, 2005
Location: Montana
Posts: 9,454
|
Quote:
__________________
If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting |
|
November 10, 2008, 09:37 PM | #312 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Punishment for not being married
In the Spring of '64 and before the Wilderness Campaign, furloughs were granted in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
November 29, 2008, 01:12 AM | #313 |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Glad to know you!
As a colonel, Confederate General Robert Rodes was known as a drillmaster and a strict disciplinarian. He rose to brigade and then division command and performed splendidly at Chancellorsville. He was less stellar at Gettysburg and Kelly's Ford. Anyhow, Rodes was inspecting his line when he came across a very casual picket. Not only was the young picket on the ground relaxing, he had his gun propped up against a tree. Those witnessing Rodes approach the young soldier were prepared to hear Rodes reprimand and punish him.
"Did you know," Rodes began, "you could be court-martialed for lying about while on picket?" "No, I did not," the young soldier replied from the ground. "When did you enlist?" Rodes asked, thinking he had a very green soldier who was very ignorant of the severity of his crime. "Last week," beamed the young soldier. Confirmed in his suspicions Rodes then asked, "When were you assigned on picket duty?" "This morning" was the earnest reply. "Do you know who I am?" Rodes asked. "No, sir," said the young soldier. "I am General Rodes." Excited now, the young soldier lept to his feat, walked over to General Rodes, offered his hand and said, "Glad to know you, General Rodes. I'm Dick Maness. How's your folks?" The young soldier was not reprimanded but was informed of his duty as picket.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
December 2, 2008, 10:57 PM | #314 |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Don't spit or d*mn the muzzle control.
"While at Winchester, W. Virginia, in the summer of 1862, Coporal John Morris, of Company D was placed in command of the squad who fired the morning and evening gun from the large fort. The women of the town especially were very bitter in their hostility towards the Union soldiers. Exhibitions of this hostility were manifested in their attempts to spit upon the soldiers from the windows of the houses, or when passing them on the streets. Corporal Morris noticing this, fired a solid shot through the town, which, in its travels, passed entirely through a brick house, tearing to pieces a bedstead which had been but a few minutes before vacated by its occupants of the night before."
He must have been one angry fellow.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
December 3, 2008, 08:40 PM | #315 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Onions don't mask it.
More tales of soljers being naughty.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
December 4, 2008, 08:41 PM | #316 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
True capitalists
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
December 13, 2008, 02:30 PM | #317 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
No musical talent?
Can't read a note, hammer on a drum, saw a violin, whistle or even hum a tune? Don't worry, I'll share a secret on how to be a musician. It's very easy. Read the following instructional anecdote.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
December 20, 2008, 12:42 PM | #318 | ||
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Nice to meet you
Jones meets Jones
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
||
February 11, 2009, 01:06 AM | #319 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Chupacabra or UFO?
From a letter from James P. Peck to his Uncle and Aunt Snidow. Peck is thought to be James Polk Peck who died at Gaines Mill on June 3, 1864. He may be the James P. Peck who served in the 23rd Virginia Battalion.
Quote: Quote:
So, what are your thoughts? I initially thought of kites and I've seen those dragon kites the Chinese are famous for, but for a formation of flying objects to break up and resume order requires some skill and if it through an orchard, risks have the lines ensared or the handlers being seen. I dunno. As for the phantom army, I dunno. I found this gem on page 158 of Jane Echols Johnston and Brenda Lynn Williams' book, Hard Times 1861-1865, Vol. 1, (1986).
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
May 13, 2009, 08:04 AM | #320 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
OK, Tuttle8 prodded me about not posting recently. On that same day, a box of five books arrived. University of Tennessee has a book sale and I dropped over $100 to buy five books. I was glancing through one this morning and share this tidbit from Two Germans in the Civil War: The Diary of John Daeuble and the Letters of Gottfried Rentschler, 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Edited and Translated by Joseph R. Reinhart. Here it is:
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
May 17, 2009, 05:41 PM | #321 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
A continuation of the previous cheese story
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
May 17, 2009, 09:02 PM | #322 |
Staff
Join Date: November 28, 2005
Location: Montana
Posts: 9,454
|
Aaaahhhh. I "got" my fix....until next time.
__________________
If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting |
May 18, 2009, 09:46 AM | #323 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 22, 2007
Location: In the oak studded hills near Napa
Posts: 2,203
|
Quote:
|
|
May 18, 2009, 11:13 PM | #324 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
The good wife (or as they say in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "Run Away!"
Quote:
This passage, like the two stinky cheese passages that preceded it, are from Two Germans in the Civil War. Get it at your local library, inter-library loan or the Univ. of TN online bookstore like I did.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
June 5, 2009, 05:38 PM | #325 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22,018
|
Get down!
Modernly, his nickname would either be Shorty or Too Tall.
Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|