Merry Chrismtas to every one! I hope you have an awesome christmas and I hope you remeber the reason for the season the birth of christ. Matthew 1:18-2:23
My Resources
I have many books and things at my use for when I write this Blog. I think you (my readers) might enjoy them to so I will give you a list of all my books and resources.
1. General Lee’s Army— Joseph Glaatthar
2. Personal Memoirs of General Ulysses S. Grant— Ulysses Grant
3. Reading the man— Elizebeth Brown Pryor
4. Civil War Battlefield Guide— Jeff Shaara
5. For Cause and Comrades— James McPherson
6. Eyewitness to the Civil War— J. Steven Wilkins
7. Never Call Retreat— Bruce Catton
8. Christ In the Camp— William Jones
9. Visiting Our Past— National Geographic Society
10.Historic Places— Readers Digest
11. The American Civil War 365 Days— Margaret Wagner
12. The Civil War Experience 1861-1865— Jay Wertz
13. American History: A Timeline of the Civil War
14. Witness to the Civil War John D. Wright
15. The Red Badge of Courage— Stephen Crane
16. Biography of John Wesley Powell— Marian T. Place
17.Biography of Sacajawea— Jerry Seibert
18. Biography Abigail Adams— Regina Z. Kelly
19. Biography of Ben Franklin— Augusta Stevenson
20. Biography Miles Standish— Augusta Stevenson
21. The Army of the Potomac: Mr. Lincoln’s Army— Bruce Catton
22. The Army of the Potomac: Glory Road— Bruce Catton
23. The Army of the Potomac: A Stillness At Appomattox— Bruce Catton
24. Ken Burn’s Civil War Series
25. American Civil War BattleFields DVD series
26. American Civil War DVD set
25 and 26 are similar but different things
All of the books and videos/DVDs are available on www.amazon.com and http://www.ebay.com I hope you enjoy these as much as I do
Phil Kearney
Phil Kearney was a man that you could make a legend out of. He was brave to the last moment of his life and gave his all for his country. All heroes also have their downfalls. Phil Kearney had both his ups and his downs and I will tell you about both.
Phil Kearney was born June 2, 1815 in New York, New York. He was the son of Philip kearney Sr. and Sarah Watts. When Kearney was a boy he was called “A perfect horse killer” because he was a very reckless rider. At the age of Seven Kearney was struck by tragedy. His mother died. It took time as one would expect to recover from the grief but the young Kearney eventually returned to his to his normal hot tempered self.
Early in life Philip Jr. had aspirations to be in the army. When he was ready to take the entry exam for West Point his father and Grandfather paid him $1500 not to join the army. They wanted him to become a lawyer. Philip Jr. eventually accepted their decision. Kearney studied law and entered into the law firm of his cousin Peter Augustus Jay but in the back of his mind the longing to be in the army was always there.
In 1836 Kearney’s Grandfather died and left him over one Million dollars in inheritance making him one of the richest men in America at the time. Now that he was a legal adult without financial troubles and out from the control of his father Philip Jr. joined the army.
With the help of his uncle Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Watts Kearney and General Winfield Scott whom he had met and impressed while in law school received a commission as second lieutenant of the first dragoons a cavalry regiment. He reported to his uncle at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on June 10, 1847. He served here for two years.
Kearney turned out to be a well-liked if not rather eccentric officer. He was always quick to encourage and praise the work of those below him in rank. His comrades often questioned why he would join the army if he had all that money and such a good social standing. Kearney often used his fortune to help outfit his company. After two years as 2nd lieutenant of the 1st dragoons he was assigned to the military district commandant Henry Atkinson as an Aide-de-camp. Kearney was not necessarily happy about his new assignment but there was an upside to it. Kearney fell in love with the commandants sister-in-law Diana Bullitt. Everyone thought that Diana and Philip would get married but Kearney did something that suprised everyone including Diana. He accepted an assignment overseas.
His new assignment was in the France. He was to observe the French Cavalry which at the time was thought to be the best in the world. The United States government sent three young men over and Kearney was choosen as one of them. He was chosen partly because his Uncle Stephen Kearney was the one making the selections. He arrived in France in 1839 just in time to take part in the Duke of Orleans’s expedition into the Algiers. This was just the opportunity that Kearney had been looking for. This assignment gave him the chance to fight in an actual war rather then just leading troops during peace time.
This is part One part two will go shortly
Lincoln’s Second Innagural Address
This is one of the most epic documents from the Civil War. It is full of all the emotion that Lincoln had from the war and all that had happened to him. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I do.
At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it–all sought to avert it. While the inaugeral [sic] address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war–seeking to dissole [sic] the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.
One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes. “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope–fervently do we pray–that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether”
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan–to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
Thanks to www.showcase.netins.net for the info
The Constitution
Recently I have been having a conversation with a friend on the issue of the constitutional legality of the North declaring war on the South and here is I have given you section 8 and 9 of the in which states the powers and limitations of the Congress. I think you will find it interesting.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties,emolm Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section 9 – Limits on Congress
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, e, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
A story
The Civil War was a very bloody, violent, hateful time in American history but it also had a humorous side to it. So I will regall you my readers with a story from the lighter side of the war.
Herman Haupt had been having a very hard time getting his trains to their destinations due to the fact that Pope wanted to control the railways. Haupt went to the secratary of war and got an order saying that he was the commander of all the railrodes in the east. So once he got all the railrodes straightened out he was ordered to transport a battalion of untrained civilians to the battlefield at Mannassas during the battle of Second Manassas. On seeing the new troops (that were all drunk) he transported them but commented to an aide that I have been ordered to take them to the field but have not been ordered to bring them back. So he left them on the battlefield. They eventually got back to Washington by bribing some ambulance drivers to take them instead of the wounded back.
This is a very funny story. Which I found in the book Mr. Lincoln’s Army by Bruce Catton.
My Purchases
I am so excited I just bought Mr. Lincoln’s Army, A stillness at Appomatox and Never Call Retreat all by Bruce Catton and the books were all the first editions that makes me even more excited
Happy ThanksGiving
Dear Readers,
I wish you all a great thanksgiving. What in this country do we have to be thankful for?
- Freedom
- Liberty
- God
- Family
- Food
You know some countries don’t have any of those things especially God.I encourage you reader to make a list of all the things you are thankful for and share them with your family. you will see how much you truely have.
Robert E. Lee: The Soldier And Man Pt 2
Here is the continuation of pt 1.
Robert Edward Lee’s military career began as an engineer at Fort Pulaski on Cockspur Island Georgia. In 1831 he was stationed to Fort Monroe as an engineer also. He was assigned to
assist in the engineering of the fort. Where he stayed until the outbreak of the Mexican War. Also while stationed at Fort Monroe he married Mary Anna Randolph Custis the great Grand daughter of Martha Washington.
Robert continued his military career during the Mexican War. He served on the staffs of John Wool and Winfield Scott. He gained the most distinction while on Scott’s staff. He gained three brevets one for his actions at the battle of Cerro Gordo. At this battle he found a mountain pass that when taken allowed General Scott could surround the army of Santa Anna. He also fought at the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec where he was slightly wounded. During the Mexican War Lee became acquainted with Ulysses S. Grant, to whom he would later surrender the Army of Northern Virginia to.
After the Mexican War he served as an engineer in Baltimore until 1852 when he was appointed as the superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. While he was serving as superintendent his son George Washington Custis Lee graduated from West Point. Robert hated the mundane duties of superintendent and asked to be reassigned to field duty. He was given command of the newly formed 2nd U.S. Cavalry in Texas. It was Lee’s first substantial promotion since 1838 where he received a brevet promotion to captain. While in Texas Lee fought the Comanches and Apaches. He served here until 1857 when the death of his father-in-law made him return to Arlington to settle the estate. The settlement of the estate kept him in Arlington until 1859 when John Brown and his cohorts attempted to take Harpers Ferry.
Lee played an integral part in the affair at Harpers Ferry. John Brown along with twenty-two other men captured the arsenal at Harpers Ferry. , Robert E. Lee along with his force of eighty-six marines and his Aide-de-camp James Ewell Brown Stuart was ordered by President Buchanan to capture Brown with out the effusion of blood if possible. On the morning of October 18 Lee and his men ordered the surrender of Brown and his men who in turn refused and the shots began. Ten of Brown’s Twenty-two men were killed these included his two sons and two black men, seven men were captured two of those captured were captured later on, and five men escaped. Lee also captured John Brown was captured after being shot in the leg and hit on the head with the handle of a sword. He was eventually tried and hanged on charges of treason towards the United States. This is event was a catalyst to the Civil War another war in which Robert E. Lee would serve with great distinction.
The Arsenal at Harpers Ferry
Part 3 will come shortly.I will try and get it out faster than I did Part 2. Sorry about the wait.
Veterens Day
What do you enjoy most about being in America? What would the country be like if we didn’t fight in any of the wars we did? What would the country be like then? It would be a horrible place. A country run by monarchy or by a dictator? You have first God to thank for allowing you to live in such a country and second the veterans to thank for fighting to keep America a country under God. By the people, For the People, and of the People. God Bless America and Her veterans.
