No need to belittle your ancestor for serving on the staff of one of the better generals of the CSA. Now if it had been on the staff of Ben Butler or Ambrose Burnside…
But we equally believed that those who stood against us held just as sacred convictions that were the opposite of ours, and we respected them as every man with a heart must respect those who give all for their belief. The experience of battle soon taught its lesson, even to those who came into the field more bitterly disposed. You could not stand up day after day in those indecisive contests where overwhelming victory was impossible because neither side would run as they ought when beaten, without getting at least something of the same brotherhood for the enemy that the north pole of a magnet has for the south — each working in an opposite sense to the other, but each unable to get along without the other. As it was then , it is now.
I’m sitting here on my second cup of coffee, still waking up with the fire logs at my feet at full blaze, but the lesson of the Wagon Box Fight is already crystal clear. To me, it’s the ultimate proof that mass can be defeated by technical lethality. Those 32 men didn't survive on grit alone; they survived because they had a 'rate of fire' leap the enemy hadn't accounted for.
As I advocate for a stronger Navy, this is what keeps me up at night: the fear of sending our sailors into a 21st-century fight with 'muzzle-loader' technology against a numerically superior foe. We don't need to match them hull-for-hull if we give our people the right equipment to change the math of the battlefield. It’s a sobering thought for a Friday morning, but it’s why I do what I do. -- Bill
OK .... Since the topic of latter-day naval dominance at sea has been raised in this thread, I will say that I have long believed two things:
First, volume of fire will be as important as accuracy of fire in a 21st Century war at sea with a capable peer adversary. Second, I've long believed that a US Navy warship should be named for an American Indian nation.
Here is my own candidate for a warship which plays a highly visible role in supporting both objectives, the notional USS Cherokee Nation class.
The notional ASC-LS-72 is a high-mobility floating fortress with fleet logistics support and repair services as its primary mission focus.
OK, I admit it: a 220,000 ton heavily-armed fleet logistics ship which does double duty as a laser battlecruiser may seem a bit extravagant. (Just a bit.)
However, the Chinese could have a warship like this splashed and operational by the mid 2030's if they were willing to devote a portion of their considerable shipbuilding talents to the task.
Having a warship of this kind forward-deployed in a potential warzone would send a message that the nation which fielded it was completely serious about fighting a 21st Century war at sea with a peer naval adversary.
It also sends the message that the nation which deploys this warship is willing to accept its loss, and other equally serious losses, if a major war at sea breaks out.
Which is one important element of a long-term war deterrence strategy adopted by a nation which intends to become the world's economic and military hegemon.
Someone … who sprang ( Doctor Gena Hannah) actually removed from my garden belly twenty-seven years ago, just shoved off… to his home base then back to the “Desert” he will fly and be away for the next 7 months. His “Comfort Dog”, the F1BGoldenDoodle, I selected 2016 and trained, Pilot had to leave behind.
Pilot read from his Journal three (3) missions. Me, mama, listened. Thirty six (36) years has passed since my duties in CINCPAC and CINCLANT. Me, mama, focused her brain and understood exactly the approaches, the snaffoos, and the “shi_ sh_w” pilot-crew lingo, my son read aloud to me. Nothing changes in a well trained Naval Officer, or Enlisted, or Marine Corps’ mind. We pick up just where we left off. We carry the load forward!
So what is SCOTUS rules Tariffs were against the American Constitution! The man in the Executive Office did it. We, well trained men and women, pick up our load and carry on. Thank you for reading “One Morning in the Life of Nurse Jane and her son, Captain, USAF. God Bless America, be safe.
Great tale, brave men, and I'm so glad I subscribed! My family served in the 2d Minnesota & 120th NYVs. My bride's family served in the 22d GA. I'm fortunate to have a 13 page letter from one of my Great Uncles regarding a visit to the Little big Horn battlefield in 1878 - fascinating stuff.
Most interesting vignette from the annals of history, CDR. Glancing at the title, I was immediately aminded of a hypothetical scene on the high seas, whereat a Carrier Task Force is under siege by a humongous swarm of drone attackers. The command, "Here they come, men; take your places and shoot to kill!" sprang into my mind. That scenario appears likely to be more real than imagined if the US and Iran take of the kid gloves and decompensate reactively. [On a lighter note, I also flashed on that hoary old chestnut of a jokey old 1960 song, 'Mr. Custer!...' by Larry Verne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfKDi8Tz0Fs). Not to detract from the gravity of your commentary, you understand.]
I met Rep. Sarah Elfreth in about 2016 -2020, in our Deale Public Library. My impression at that time was that she was a career politician. In 2016, my back was severely and permanently damaged by members of the Masons Beach Citizens Association Inc. (MBCA). Ms Elfeth was neither supportive nor empathetic to my verbal statement “My civil rights are being violated”. Shipmates, if you say freely, as is your first amendment right, what you say should be heard by the representative of your area. Rep. Sarah Elfreth did not demonstrate that she heard my complaint. For these past five or more years Rep. Sarah Elfreth has done nothing to protect me nor my civil rights. It’s absurd, in my opinion that Rep. Sarah Elfreth posts “It’s good for the people”, about today’s Tariff ruling by SCOTUS. Shipmates, please ask yourselves, does the representative in your area care about your wellbeing? If not, vote accordingly sure, but share an example if you so choose, as I just did. Here’s my question for all living in Maryland. Will Governor Wes Moore be held accountable for allowing a foreign ship with a faulty electrical panel permission to sail up the Chesapeake Bay and after unloading her cargo, due to a loss of electrical power, hit a pilot of the Key Bridge? Happened under his watch! More happened under his watch. Shipmates, as our Captains and Commanders are held accountable, so should Wes Moore, in my opinion. Thank you for reading. Remember, “If you see it, say it to someone in authority, you trust.” God bless America. Stay safe! Nurse Jane
Elfreth is also my representative in congress - up to now she has been nothing but a drone to the party .. more interested in illegals than citizens. As far as Moore -- You know he's lying as soon as he opens his mouth ..
Good Morning CDR,
TASS announced this morning Poland is requesting Nuclear defense by USA.
Shipmate Pete, you are correct, Middle East Sovereign Nations stated their land will not be used to launch hostilities against Iran.
Thank you for paying close attention to this developing story in the Middle Easf. Nurse Jane
No need to belittle your ancestor for serving on the staff of one of the better generals of the CSA. Now if it had been on the staff of Ben Butler or Ambrose Burnside…
Reading the writings of Civil War era Americans reminds me we were once a proper country.
Moon of the Bitter Cold is a pretty good tale of the Fetterman Massacre, Bozeman Trail, Fort Phil Kearny, Red Cloud, etc.
Moon of the Bitter Cold is a pretty good tale of the Fetterman Massacre, Bozeman Trail, Fort Phil Kearny, Red Cloud, etc.
Great story, Sal! As a history buff I'd like to hear those stories some time!
But we equally believed that those who stood against us held just as sacred convictions that were the opposite of ours, and we respected them as every man with a heart must respect those who give all for their belief. The experience of battle soon taught its lesson, even to those who came into the field more bitterly disposed. You could not stand up day after day in those indecisive contests where overwhelming victory was impossible because neither side would run as they ought when beaten, without getting at least something of the same brotherhood for the enemy that the north pole of a magnet has for the south — each working in an opposite sense to the other, but each unable to get along without the other. As it was then , it is now.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Memorial Day, 18884
one did not want to be captured by Indians in general, and particularly not by Apaches or Comanches
Sal,
I’m sitting here on my second cup of coffee, still waking up with the fire logs at my feet at full blaze, but the lesson of the Wagon Box Fight is already crystal clear. To me, it’s the ultimate proof that mass can be defeated by technical lethality. Those 32 men didn't survive on grit alone; they survived because they had a 'rate of fire' leap the enemy hadn't accounted for.
As I advocate for a stronger Navy, this is what keeps me up at night: the fear of sending our sailors into a 21st-century fight with 'muzzle-loader' technology against a numerically superior foe. We don't need to match them hull-for-hull if we give our people the right equipment to change the math of the battlefield. It’s a sobering thought for a Friday morning, but it’s why I do what I do. -- Bill
OK .... Since the topic of latter-day naval dominance at sea has been raised in this thread, I will say that I have long believed two things:
First, volume of fire will be as important as accuracy of fire in a 21st Century war at sea with a capable peer adversary. Second, I've long believed that a US Navy warship should be named for an American Indian nation.
Here is my own candidate for a warship which plays a highly visible role in supporting both objectives, the notional USS Cherokee Nation class.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55001484689_6058768107_o.png
The notional ASC-LS-72 is a high-mobility floating fortress with fleet logistics support and repair services as its primary mission focus.
OK, I admit it: a 220,000 ton heavily-armed fleet logistics ship which does double duty as a laser battlecruiser may seem a bit extravagant. (Just a bit.)
However, the Chinese could have a warship like this splashed and operational by the mid 2030's if they were willing to devote a portion of their considerable shipbuilding talents to the task.
Having a warship of this kind forward-deployed in a potential warzone would send a message that the nation which fielded it was completely serious about fighting a 21st Century war at sea with a peer naval adversary.
It also sends the message that the nation which deploys this warship is willing to accept its loss, and other equally serious losses, if a major war at sea breaks out.
Which is one important element of a long-term war deterrence strategy adopted by a nation which intends to become the world's economic and military hegemon.
He’s buried not far from many of my wife and my family in Galesburg.
Morning CDR and shipmates…
Someone … who sprang ( Doctor Gena Hannah) actually removed from my garden belly twenty-seven years ago, just shoved off… to his home base then back to the “Desert” he will fly and be away for the next 7 months. His “Comfort Dog”, the F1BGoldenDoodle, I selected 2016 and trained, Pilot had to leave behind.
Pilot read from his Journal three (3) missions. Me, mama, listened. Thirty six (36) years has passed since my duties in CINCPAC and CINCLANT. Me, mama, focused her brain and understood exactly the approaches, the snaffoos, and the “shi_ sh_w” pilot-crew lingo, my son read aloud to me. Nothing changes in a well trained Naval Officer, or Enlisted, or Marine Corps’ mind. We pick up just where we left off. We carry the load forward!
So what is SCOTUS rules Tariffs were against the American Constitution! The man in the Executive Office did it. We, well trained men and women, pick up our load and carry on. Thank you for reading “One Morning in the Life of Nurse Jane and her son, Captain, USAF. God Bless America, be safe.
Great tale, brave men, and I'm so glad I subscribed! My family served in the 2d Minnesota & 120th NYVs. My bride's family served in the 22d GA. I'm fortunate to have a 13 page letter from one of my Great Uncles regarding a visit to the Little big Horn battlefield in 1878 - fascinating stuff.
When will we see a Fullbore Friday devoted to Mathew Fontaine Maury?
Most interesting vignette from the annals of history, CDR. Glancing at the title, I was immediately aminded of a hypothetical scene on the high seas, whereat a Carrier Task Force is under siege by a humongous swarm of drone attackers. The command, "Here they come, men; take your places and shoot to kill!" sprang into my mind. That scenario appears likely to be more real than imagined if the US and Iran take of the kid gloves and decompensate reactively. [On a lighter note, I also flashed on that hoary old chestnut of a jokey old 1960 song, 'Mr. Custer!...' by Larry Verne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfKDi8Tz0Fs). Not to detract from the gravity of your commentary, you understand.]
Better weapons, decent leadership, combat experience, calm under fire. Even with all that? Fulbore ain't easy.
Good Afternoon CDR and shipmates.
I live in Maryland and have since 1990.
I met Rep. Sarah Elfreth in about 2016 -2020, in our Deale Public Library. My impression at that time was that she was a career politician. In 2016, my back was severely and permanently damaged by members of the Masons Beach Citizens Association Inc. (MBCA). Ms Elfeth was neither supportive nor empathetic to my verbal statement “My civil rights are being violated”. Shipmates, if you say freely, as is your first amendment right, what you say should be heard by the representative of your area. Rep. Sarah Elfreth did not demonstrate that she heard my complaint. For these past five or more years Rep. Sarah Elfreth has done nothing to protect me nor my civil rights. It’s absurd, in my opinion that Rep. Sarah Elfreth posts “It’s good for the people”, about today’s Tariff ruling by SCOTUS. Shipmates, please ask yourselves, does the representative in your area care about your wellbeing? If not, vote accordingly sure, but share an example if you so choose, as I just did. Here’s my question for all living in Maryland. Will Governor Wes Moore be held accountable for allowing a foreign ship with a faulty electrical panel permission to sail up the Chesapeake Bay and after unloading her cargo, due to a loss of electrical power, hit a pilot of the Key Bridge? Happened under his watch! More happened under his watch. Shipmates, as our Captains and Commanders are held accountable, so should Wes Moore, in my opinion. Thank you for reading. Remember, “If you see it, say it to someone in authority, you trust.” God bless America. Stay safe! Nurse Jane
Elfreth is also my representative in congress - up to now she has been nothing but a drone to the party .. more interested in illegals than citizens. As far as Moore -- You know he's lying as soon as he opens his mouth ..