Something for the weekend: Holiday Road. I am on vacation with my family until August 8. My internet connection in the coming week will range from intermittent to non-existent. That is now by choice. In the past it was not, but now with ubiquitous wi-fi, portable ipads and kindles, that is no longer the case, and, truth to tell, it hasn’t been for the last several years. I will have posts for each day I am away on the blog, but if something momentous occurs, for example: Elvis is discovered working at a Big Boy’s in Tulsa, the Pope issues a Bull against blogging as a complete waste of time, or Biden is taken out of the White House in a straight jacket, I trust that this post will explain why I am not discussing it.
First, up to Kenosha, Wisconsin with a visit to my Bride’s mother. We have been doing this since the birth of the twins and it has always been a fun family gathering. I heartily recommend both the Kenosha Civil War Museum and the Milwaukee Zoo Then it is back home next Monday for an overnight pit stop and to board our dog Cali until next Saturday. I will interrupt my vacation with a real estate closing on Friday. The vacations of a week in duration that I have without being interrupted by some legal business are becoming rare as the years pass.
Gen Con is requiring masks this year and has an absurd preferred pronouns section on the badges As this is the case my family is passing on it.
My bride and I have only been attending since 1986, my bride missing 1991 when she was heavily pregnant with our twins. (I made a 300 mile one day dash to the Convention that year through continual thunder storms by myself, one of the more foolish actions of my life.) Sad to miss it this year, but a masked convention would not be enjoyable for us, along with the PC tripe.
We are still going to Indianapolis to do some sight seeing however. We have grown fond of the town since Gen Con moved here in 2003 and we enjoy going to the book stores and the game shops.
A good week albeit somewhat tiring, but I can rest in the law mines after I get back! See you all on August 8.
Into the air the secret rose Where they´re going, nobody knows Tomorrow they´ll return again But we´ll never know where they´ve been. Don´t ask us about results or such Unless you want to get in Dutch. But take it from one who is sure of the score, the 509th is winning the war.
When the other Groups are ready to go We have a program of the whole damned show And when Halsey´s 5th shells Nippon´s shore Why, shucks, we hear about it the day before. And MacArthur and Doolittle give out in advance But with this new bunch we haven´t a chance We should have been home a month or more For the 509th is winning the war
Anonymous, doggerel made up by pilots of other air groups about the “hush-hush” 509th
Activated on December 17, 1944, the 509th Composite Group of the United States Army Air Corps was commanded by Colonel Paul Tibbets, at 29 already a seasoned air combat veteran in Europe. The flying units of the Group, in addition to support units, consisted of the 393rd Bombardment Squadron and the 320th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1767 personnel, 15 B-29 bombers and 5 C-54 transports. The Group was based and trained at Wendover Air Force Base in Utah.
Training was conducted in intense secrecy with the officers and men advised that any breach of security would be punished with the utmost severity, which might well include the death penalty. Curious officers and men of other units were warned away at gun point.
The unit re-deployed to Tinian on June 11, 1945. The unit engaged in numerous practice bombing missions, including twelve over targets over the Home Islands, with special “pumpkin bombs” replicating the dimensions of the “Fat Man” atomic bomb. (more…)
Thirty-two years old in 1861, Sullivan Ballou was already well-established in life. Married with two sons, he was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, and had served as speaker of that body. When Lincoln called for volunteers, he did not hesitate, and enlisted as a Major with the Second Rhode Island infantry. At the battle of Bull Run he received what would prove to be a mortal wound. His right leg was amputated and he succumbed to his wounds on July 28, 1861. Before the battle of Bull Run he wrote to his wife a timeless letter of love and hope for the future beyond the grave:
July the 14th, 1861 Washington D.C.
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows—when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children—is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father’s love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God’s blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children. Sullivan
His wife never remarried. She died in 1917 and was buried beside her husband.
I loved this show when I was a very small child. The premise was that a billionaire would choose people he did not know to receive from him anonymously a check for a million dollars tax free. (How that could have been arranged, the tax free element, was one of the more fanciful concepts of the show.) The show ran from 1955-1960 and the episodes included comedies and dramas. The implicit message was that having a lot of money is nice, but it really has little to do with the happiness of the individuals who receive the funds, and that solving the deep problems that beset us usually has little to do with the size of our bank account. A million dollars in 1955 would be equivalent to eleven million today.
At the Potsdam Conference on July 26, 1945, the governments of the United States, Great Britain and China announced their terms of surrender for Japan. The key points of the Declaration:
1. Any occupation of Japan would be temporary until a democratic, peaceful, government was established and firmly in control, and the other goals of the occupation had been achieved.
2. Japan, by trade, would have access to overseas raw materials and food.
3. Japanese military forces would be disarmed and allowed to return to their homes. Japan was to be deprived of any war making capability.
4. Japan would consist of the Home Islands and such other minor islands as determined by the Allies.
5. Stern justice would be meted out to Japanese war criminals.
6. The Japanese were warned that the terms would not be deviated from and that failure of Japan to immediately surrender would result in prompt and immediate destruction. Here is the text of the Declaration: (more…)
1861 in the Civil War was largely a fight for the Border States of Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland, and the future state of West Virginia. Each side knew that the outcome of the War might well depend on the ultimate control of this vast area. Border state unionists were often pro-slavery and their concerns had to be taken into account by the Lincoln Administration. The most powerful politician in Kentucky was Congressman John J. Crittenden, a man as old as the Constitution, he was a passionate Unionist, but pro-slavery. The War had bitterly divided his state and his family: one son would serve as a Union general and another son would serve as a Confederate general. He understood that Unionists in his state were more than willing to fight to preserve the Union, but they were unwilling to fight against slavery. In tandem with future president Andrew Johnson, then a Senator from Tennessee, the only member of the Senate from a Confederate state to refuse to resign from Congress following the secession of his state, he crafted resolutions to be passed by the House and the Senate making clear that the purpose of the War was to preserve the Union and not to destroy slavery. Congress duly passed the resolutions on July 25, 1861, with only two votes against in the House, but it was only a brief victory for those Unionists who were pro-slavery. Two weeks later, Abraham Lincoln signed the Confiscation Act allowing the seizure by the Federal government of slaves of rebels as contraband of war. Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania engineered the repeal of the resolutions in 1861. The war for the Union would also be a war against slavery. Here are the texts of the resolutions: (more…)
Waking up at 6:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time, the crew made final preparations for reentry. At 12:21 PM the Command Module separated from the Service Module. Columbia entered the Earth’s atmosphere four minutes later. Columbia splashed down 950 miles southwest of Honolulu and 15 miles from their recovery ship, USS Hornet. Collins, Armstrong and Aldrin were home, their mission completed.
Something for the weekend. Army of the Free, one of the more rousing of the Civil War songs. Sung by Bobby Horton who has waged a one man crusade to bring the music of the Civil War to modern audiences.
After the battle of Peachtree Creek Hood ordered his army to withdraw to Atlanta, hoping that an opportunity would present itself to destroy a portion of the Union army as Sherman advanced on Atlanta.
While Stewart’s corps held the fortifications north of Atlanta, Hood planned to attack McPhersons Army of the Tennessee which was approaching from the east. Cheatham’ corps would attack from the eastern fortifications of Atlanta, while Hardee’s corps would attack from the south, with Wheeler’s cavalry launching assaults on the supply lines of the Army of the Tennessee.
Hardee’s corps took much longer to get into position for the attack than Hood anticipated, and McPherson reinforced his left to meet this anticipated attack. The attack of Hardee when it went in caused the Union line to waver and begin to retreat before it was repulsed. It was during this attack that McPherson was slain. Major General John “Blackjack” Logan, the most able of the Union political generals, took temporary command of the Union army and successfully led it during the remainder of the battle.
Cheatham’s corps attacked from the Atlanta entrenchments. Here most of the fighting centered on Baldy Hill, with that conflict going on to nightfall. Two miles to the north Cheatham’s corps made a breakthrough of the Union lines, that was only repulsed after much hard fighting, spearheaded by Logan’s corps supported by a heavy Union artillery bombardment.
At the end of the day, Union casualties were 3,000 to Confederate casualties of 5,000. Hood was unable to repulse the Union forces and the battle of Atlanta now became the siege of Atlanta.
The essential tragedy of the Civil War is that it was “a war without an enemy” in which Americans were fighting each other. This sad fact is epitomized by this tribute penned by Hood in regard to his classmate and roommate James Birdseye McPherson:
I will record the death of my classmate and boyhood friend, General James B. McPherson, the announcement of which caused me sincere sorrow. Since we had graduated in 1853, and had each been ordered off on duty in different directions, it has not been our fortune to meet. Neither the years nor the difference of sentiment that had led us to range ourselves on opposite sides in the war had lessened my friendship; indeed the attachment formed in early youth was strengthened by my admiration and gratitude for his conduct toward our people in the vicinity of Vicksburg. His considerate and kind treatment of them stood in bright contrast to the course pursued by many Federal officers.
Fifty three years ago men first set foot on the Moon. A little bit over six and a half hours after the Eagle had landed, at 2: 56 UTC time, on July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon saying: That’s One small Step for Man. One Giant Leap for Mankind. (Armstrong said that he stated for a man, but the a is not audible.) Aldrin’s first words on the Moon were: “Beautiful view”, to which Armstrong responded “Isn’t that something? Magnificent sight out here.” Aldrin answered, “Magnificent desolation.”
Seven minutes after setting foot on the Moon, Armstrong took a soil sample. The planting of the American flag in the Lunar dust presented some difficulties, with the sharp edges of Lunar dust resisting the driving of the flag pole into the surface. However, it was accomplished and the astronauts saluted Old Glory. They then received a call from President Nixon:
Nixon: Hello, Neil and Buzz. I’m talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room at the White House. And this certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made. I just can’t tell you how proud we all are of what you’ve done. For every American, this has to be the proudest day of our lives. And for people all over the world, I am sure they too join with Americans in recognizing what an immense feat this is. Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man’s world. And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to Earth. For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one: one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth.
Armstrong: Thank you, Mr. President. It’s a great honor and privilege for us to be here, representing not only the United States, but men of peace of all nations, and with interest and curiosity, and men with a vision for the future. It’s an honor for us to be able to participate here today.
They then deployed the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package which would conduct various passive experiments. Armstrong and Aldrin then collected 47.5 pounds of soil and rock samples. The rock samples included three hitherto undiscovered minerals. Interestingly enough, the newly found minerals were also later discovered on Earth. They then reboarded the Eagle, having been on the surface for slightly more than two hours, slept for seven hours, and at 17:54:00 UTC, the Eagle blasted off to rendezvous with the Columbia being flown by Michael Collins. The Eagle rejoined the Columbia at 21:24 UTC. Eagle‘s ascent stage was jettisoned at 23:41. All told the Eagle had been on the Lunar surface for 21 hours and 36 minutes. The plague below was left behind which read:
Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon, July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.
The Soviets that same day attempted to land the unmanned Lunar 15 on the Moon, but it crashed into a mountain in the Mare Crisum.
Donald R. McClarey
Paul Zummo
Almost Chosen People 