Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Understanding The Civil War More Clearly

Another exam question:

Who was the highest ranking US civilian authority in Cuba at the outbreak of war with Spain in the spring of 1898?

Unless it was the Ambassador to Spain, I haven't a clue either. Something tells me, though, that it was a rather politically influential and rather privately wealthy businessman.

Yeah. The Marine one was a gimmie! .

Always liked ol' Gimlet Eye! We had a pup named for him! He was a little scrapper too!

And that really opens up the possibilities!!!

Changing the subject;

Back to punitive expedition to Mexico. A recently uncovered statment made by Col. Slocum ( commanded the forces at Columbus March 1916) to another army officer stated that the real reason for Villa's raid on Columbus was to kidnap (Slocums) wife for ransom. She was the daughter of a back east millionaire. And Slocum and Villa knew each other well.

Slocum made this comment at a dinner party in 1927. In total confidence to the officer. He stated no reason for this other that his own Intel at the time. He had long sense retired from service.

Oops. My bad!

Vera Cruz??? Interesting incident. Germany did not breach the Monroe Doctrine on a technicality. But why let a good incident go to waste.

Yep. That's the reason why accordions, tubas, and essentially polka music are such a part of Mexican culture. Weirdest damned combo going.

This fellow, Navy Coxswain John McCloy, won his first MOH in the Boxer Rebellion and his second at Veracruz.


http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2318/mccloy-john.php

Hey, I like Mexican polka.

By 1916 it was estimated there were between 5000 and 7000 german advisors in Mexico.

I will probably live to regret posting the following but here goes anyway.


There has been a lot posted on the Civil War on the Campfire lately. Some good, some bad, and a bunch that is really stupid and absurd.

In terms of a historical event there have been more barrels of ink and reams of paper spent on the War Between the States than almost any other single thing in American History.

Since I am an Historian by professional training I have thought I might post some on how you can develop a better understanding of the events surrounding the Civil War if you are interested in doing some work and digging on your own.

Be forewarned there is an absolute Himalayan mountain range amount of material to sift through. A few quick internet searches are not going to get you anything but mostly perplexed and disgusted. Forget finding a single cause for the war because there is NO single overriding cause. Nor will you find a consensus list of causes. The Civil War is simply too complex an event for that.

The first step I would suggest is to see how the Civil War fits into the continuum of history. To do this you are going to have to begin with a clear understanding of the events prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

To this end I would suggest using 1861 as a starting date and go back at least 50 years. Once there begin with a well done textbook on American History. I would recommend the following volume:

http://www.amazon.com/America-Narrative-George-Browm-Tindall/dp/0393974421

It is one of the best ever compiled. Read it and take notes.

More later.

While the Confederate Battle Flag is an historical relic, other issues have clouded its history. Given that it has been used by the KKK and other hate groups, it's role in history has been greatly tarnished and is seen as insulting to many Americans. It needs to be replaced.

Figures.