The Union Army in the Civil War Was Nearly Commanded by an Italian September 8, 2010

Had Abraham Lincoln Been Able to Offer his Emancipation Proclamation a Year Earlier, This Italian Military Hero May Have Been An American Military Hero As Well

Winfield Scott Lives up to his "Old Fuss and Feathers" moniker and the notion that he was a tired old man at 75

On This Date in History:  It has been well documented and reviewed that Abraham Lincoln had a difficult time finding a general to lead the Union Army at the outset of the Civil War and in the years to come.  The carousel of commanders ultimately ended with the elevation of General Ulysses S. Grant to the position of Lt. General of the Armies in 1864 following his victory at Vicksburg in 1863.  When the war began, Lincoln had a true military hero in General Winfield Scott who had gained accolades for his efforts in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War.  But “Old Fuss and Feathers,” as Scott was called, was 75 years old and in declining health when hostilities began in 1861.  After Scott had set forth his “Anaconda Plan” to strangle the South with a naval blockade, he retired from military service.

Lt. Colonel Robert E. Lee Could Not Turn His Back on Virginia

Before the war broke out. Scott had approached Lt. Colonel Robert E. Lee about taking command of the Union armies in the field.  Scott pleaded with Lee not to join the Confederacy.  Lee, however, felt great loyalty to his state of Virginia as its history had in some measure been shaped by his ancestors, including American Revolution hero Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, Robert E. Lee’s father.  When Virginia voted to secede from the Union and Lee informed Scott of his decision, the aging general said, “Lee, you have made the greatest mistake of your life;  but I feared it would be so.”    Virginia officially proposed secession on April 17, 1861 and Robert E. Lee resigned from the US Army 3 days later.  Three days thereafter, Lee was named commander of the armed forces of Virginia.

McClellan's Deliberate Approach Was Good For Railroad Building But Not So Good For Waging War; Posing Like Napoleon Didn't Make Him Napoleon

From that point, it was all downhill for the Union.  President Lincoln turned to General George B. McClellan who was a West Point Graduate but had spent the most recent years with the railroads, most significantly plotting the course of the Northern Pacific Railroad across the Cascades.  He was gifted at organization and literally built the US Army from scratch.  But, McClellan envisioned himself as an American Napoleon and had a strained relationship with the president as exemplified by his reference to the Commander in Chief as an “idiot” or “the original gorilla.”  McClellan had been a good student at West Point and thus followed the doctrine taught at the academy which  was based on the ideas of Antoine Henri de Jomini.  In general, the military strategy involved maintaining supply and communications lines and securing key locations.  True to his organizational strengths, McClellan and other Union generals tended to take their time in preparation and tended to make deliberate, rather than decisive, moves.  Lincoln accused McClellan of having a case of “the slows.” 

Famous Alexander Gardner Photo of Dead Soldiers at Antietam

In September 1862, Lee invaded Maryland and split his army, which was unconventional, in order for him to follow the Jomini doctrine of securing his supply routes.  McClellan is said to have received advanced intelligence that informed him of Lee’s plans.  A Union soldier in Frederick, Maryland had found a pack of 3 cigars in the street and when he picked it up, he found the cigars were wrapped in Lee’s orders to his field commanders which outlined the strategy which were known as Lee’s Special Orders  no. 191.  McClellan was brimming with confidence that his much larger army could surprise and overcome the divided forces of the Army of Northern Virginia and achieve a great victory.  Alas,  in spite of the information, McClellan moved so slowly and with such deliberate care that Lee was able to regroup his army at Antietam.  The Battle of Antietam, which was fought near Antietam Creek  on September 17, 1862, was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War.  McClellan said it was a great victory but, in fact, his army with a two to one advantage in numbers missed an opportunity to destroy Lee’s army and perhaps end the war.  Lee escaped with his forces intact and McClellan failed to follow up with a pursuit.

Garibaldi Refused Command of Union Army Due To Lincoln's Reluctance to Commit to Free American Slaves

As it turns out, the name of George B. McClellan might be lost to history had Abraham Lincoln been successful a year before the Battle of Antietam.  You see, on this date in 1861, the president attempted to enlist the services of Italian Revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi to lead the Union Army.  Garibaldi had become famous in his own country in his successful operation to unify Italy.  Robert E. Lee did not join the Confederacy because he supported slavery, but instead out of loyalty to Virginia.  Garibaldi had no such loyalty issues and had fought against slavery in South America.  However, a sticking point in the attempt to gain the skills of Garibaldi was the Italian’s insistence that Lincoln promise that American slaves would be freed.  At that point, Lincoln’s objective was to preserve the Union and he doubted he could reach his objective and make such a commitment. 

Ever Heard of Don Carlos Buell?

Of course, 5 days after Antietam, President Lincoln announced his intention of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 that would free all slaves in areas in insurrection.  Lincoln said it was a military measure to help limit the South’s ability to make war.   However, it effectively freed the slaves since it would be incomprehensible to free those in bondage only to put them back in their former state once the war was over.  Had Lincoln felt as if he was in a position to make such a commitment in September 1862, then George B. McClellan might have been relegated as a footnote of history, like General Don Carlos Buell or even, in some measure, Winfield Scott. 

Light Italian Aircraft Carrier Named For Garibaldi

As it stands, it was Giuseppe Garibaldi who has been lost to American history.  Ultimately, victory was acheived under the command of Ulysses S. Grant, who was not a very good student at West Point and therefore had not been indoctrinated in the Jomini philosophy.  He developed a strategy that involved the “theatre of war” as well as using his overwhelming superiority in stregnth to simply attack and overwhelm the enemy.  The tactics involved are known as “Grantonian Tactics” and were later used by the likes of Erwin Rommel and Bernhard Montgomery.  The philsophy continues to this day and is described by historian Russell F. Weigley as The American Way of War.  The media has given some of those tactics the moniker, “Shock and Awe.”  As for Garibaldi, while he was never named as commander of the Union Army, the Italians did name an aircraft carrier in his honor.

Weather Bottom Line:  I saw someone on TV on Tuesday night say that the track of what is left over of Tropical Storm Hernine would determine if our rain chances go up at the end of the week.  What a crock.  A tropical cyclone is a very large feature and this storm remained well defined even as far north as San Antonio.  Its flow opens up the Gulf and the storm will track into the plains states.  The flow is so broad that most certainly, the moisture drawn up to the east of the center of the low will over run the cold front that came through on Tuesday.  The question will be whether or not the moisture will overcome the dry air and when it does, not the track of the system.  Look for a coolish night in the upper 50′s, a warm afternoon on Thursday with low humidity and high clouds on Thursday afternoon and then thickening clouds as the day progresses on Friday.  The dry air will limit the rain chances for awhile but by late Friday, into Friday night, its likely that our atmosphere will be saturated enough to give us a decent shot at some much needed rain.   The system will lift the front north as a warm front on Friday night or Saturday morning and that will be the best chance.  Saturday may be a shade warm and humid in advance of a cold front which may not only provide decent rain chances Saturday evening, but also, I would think, a risk of some trouble-making t’storms.

A Union Victory Perhaps Greater But Less Celebrated Than Gettysburg July 3, 2010

US Grant and his Army Celebrated Independence Day in Vicksburg While the Rest of the Nation Was Fixated on Gettysburg

Greatness of Grant Often Obscured by History

On this date in History:  General Ulysses S. Grant had to battle more than the Confederate Army in his rise through the ranks of the Union Army; a rise that would see him gain a rank not seen since George Washington and would culminate in his election as the 18th President of the United States.   His chief adversary was his superior officer, General Henry W. Halleck.  In an ironic twist, Halleck indirectly aided Grant in his rise to prominence when he rescued William T. Sherman from obscurity.  Not long after the outbreak of the Civil War, Sherman briefly had been in command of what would become the Army of the Ohio in Louisville when he was ousted following, among other things, claims that he was unstable or “crazy.”  Halleck took Sherman on his staff in St. Louis to give him time to settle down.  Sherman did and went on to be US Grant’s right hand man and most dependable officer.  But Halleck, in general, did not care for Grant.  After Grant rose to national prominence following his victories at Ft. Henry and  Ft. Donelson , Halleck relieved Grant from command for supposed insubordination.  When the officer chosen to replace him fell ill, Grant was reinstated.  Following Grant’s bloody victory at Shiloh, Halleck appeared on the scene and took charge, leaving Grant without any command at all.  Grant nearly resigned but his friend Sherman talked him out of it.  Following a slow and deliberate assault on Corinth, MS Halleck was called to Washington on July 11, 1862 to assume overall command of the Union Army.  Halleck’s rise was more fortunate for Grant than Halleck.

Henry Halleck Didn't Think Much of US Grant

With Halleck out of the way, Grant gained command of the Union Army in the West.  Grant had valuable support from several members of Congress and, more importantly, from President Abraham Lincoln.  When Lincoln was urged to fire US Grant due to charges of Grant’s drunkeness, careless and bold style or typically large casualty figures, Lincoln said of Grant, “I can’t spare this man.  He fights.”  Grant knew that with that kind of support, his career was tied to the fortune of the president.  It was imperitive to Grant that Lincoln be re-elected.  He knew that his own future was at stake but also he thought that only with Lincoln as president could the Union secure an ultimate victory.  So, this fighting general was well aware that the public was growing restless with the length of the war and the few successes of the Union Army against the Confederates.  So, he took bold action.

Admiral Porter Was Confident In His Gunboats

His target was Vicksburg, MS which stood high on bluffs over looking the Mississippi River.  The Union controlled the river to Memphis and also controlled the mouth at New Orleans.  If he could gain control of Vicksburg, the Union would gain control of the entire river and effectively divide the Confederacy in two and deny vital supplies from the Western part of the rebellious states.  Also, such a victory would help the voters gain confidence in the President.  The trouble was that Vicksburg had the river to the west, friendly territory to the South and East and to the North there was a big swampy area that was very difficult to navigate.  After failed attempts to attack from the North, Grant decided that he would take his troops, cross the Mississippi, move down the river on the Louisiana side and then recross the river south of Vicksburg.  Sherman advised against it.

Union Ironclad Carondelet Ran the Mississippi Gauntlet

The scheme would require the Union Navy to run the gauntlet of Vicksburg cannon in order to move down the river and facilitate a recrossing of the river.  Also, Grant would be cutting off his supply and communication lines and be putting his army in enemy terrritory.  To conclude his plan, he had to move North to Vicksburg and attack from the East, which would put his army between Gen. John C. Pemberton’s army at Vicksburg and Joseph E. Johnston’s Army at Jackson, MS.  Talk about high risk, high reward.  But, Grant did it anyway.  Rear Admiral David D. Porter of the Union Navy successfully moved down the river past Vicksburg and transported Grant’s men across the river.  Grant had his men take only the essential supplies, though he was able to create a  very long line of supply. He wanted his force to be able to move quickly.  Henry Halleck ordered Grant to wait for General Nathaniel P.  Banks to reinforce him from New Orleans before he moved to Vicksburg.  But, Grant knew that Banks was slow and in order for his plan to work, he had to move fast.  With his communications relegated to a circuitous route, it took a very long time for Halleck’s orders to reach Grant.  When they did, Grant told the courier that the orders were too late, that he as already moving.  So, now if Grant failed, he faced a potential court martial. 

Grant Took A Long Route to Get to Vicksburg

He took his men northeast and he had Sherman attack Jackson from the Northwest in order  to tie up Johnston.  Grant then turned East on the road between Jackson and Vicksburg and began his assault.  Pemberton had been ordered by Johnston to come out of Vicksburg and meet Grant before he could lay seige to the city.  Grant’s forces met Pemberton’s at Champions Hill on May 16, 1863.  The victory of the Union Army over the Confederates at the Battle of  Champions Hill is considered by many historians as the most important battle of the war.  Pemberton was forced back into Vicksburg and Grant was able to surround the city as Sherman continued to prevent Johnston from attacking Grant from the rear.   For the rest of May and into part of June, Grant attempted to break through the formidable defenses around Vicksburg but failed.  So, he lay seige to the city.  We have a glimpse of what it was like to be in the Union Army  leading up to and the actual siege to Vicksburg  from the diary entries of Union soldier Osborn H. Oldroyd.  We also know what it was like ot be inside Vicksburg.   Without supply or relief of any kind, it is said that the siege of Vicksburg resulted in the citizenry tunnelling into the ground for shelter, not only living like rats but in some cases actually eating rats.  In the early July heat of Mississippi, Pemberton knew that he would not receive any help and that his last stand was over.

Grant Was Never Able to Break Vicksburg's Formidable Defenses

Keep in mind, that at this time, the public’s attention was focused on the battle raging on at Gettysburg.  Robert E. Lee had managed to move north of Washington DC and there was great fear that his seemingly invincible army might be in a position to sack the nation’s capital.  So, while all eyes were on Gettysburg, PA at 10 AM on this date in 1863 John C. Pemberton raised white flags around the city of Vicksburg and sent a message to Major General Ulysses S. Grant asking for terms of surrender.    He proposed that, in order to “save the further effusion of blood”  a committee of three commissioners of each side should meet and negotiate terms.   Characteristically, Grant replied, ” The useless effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by the unconditional surrender of the city and garrison.”    Grant concluded his response with, “”I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no terms other than those indicated above.” 

Vicksburg Lay In Ruins After the Siege and Provided 172 Artillery Pieces For the Union

On Independence Day of 1863, the nation celebrated the bloody three day victory of General George Meade over the Confederate Forces of Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  No doubt the victory at Gettysburg was a key turn of events for the Union but George Meade’s failure to follow Lee after the victory was criticized.  On that very same day, John C. Pemberton surrendered his forces to those of Ulysses S. Grant.  The terms: unconditional.  However, given that Grant was not able to handle so many prisoners, he did allow for a parole of all soldiers and the officers could keep their horse, private belongings and private sidearms.  This was a fairly common practice and it was supposed that the paroled soldiers would not return to fight another day, though some undoubtedly did so.  Many others though had an honorable excuse to avoid fighting any further in the bloody conflict. Grant had suffered 9, 362 casualties, or more than he lost at Shiloh.  Pemberton’s casualties totaled around 8,000 but he surrendered 29, 491 men and their 172 cannon and howitzers.  The war continued for two more years but, the clock was ticking on the Confederacy.  Not so much because of Robert E. Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg, but because of the strategic victory of Ulysses S. Grant at Vicksburg.  On July 4, 1863, the Union Army and US Grant celebrated Independence Day.   The people of Vicksburg did not celebrate the fourth of July for 100 years.

Weather Bottom Line:  The heat and humidity have returned right on schedule and I have no idea when we will get another break.  Look for highs in the low to mid 90′s and overnight lows in the mid to maybe upper 70′s.  Humidity is back to the uncomfortable range and I see no rain in the offing for the forseeable future.

U.S. Grant-It’s all in the name May 30, 2010

Greatness of Grant is Obscured by History

Grant Loved Horses, Especially Cincinnati

On this Date in History:  One thing that I have learned in researching history is that, in order to really understand a subject, one must look at the complete historiography.  So often, you find people referring to one author as the authority on a particular subject when, the truth is, two or three people can have different perspectives.  Beyond points of view, authors can also have biases such that they will enhance data that fits their worldview and suppress any documentation that may bring an eye of skepticism.   For instance, there is no doubt about the fact that the 18th President of the United States and Union Commander Ulysses S. Grant was born as Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822 near Point Pleasant, Ohio.  So, the quesiton arises as to how Hiram Ulysses Grant became Ulysses S. Grant?

Lt. Grant at age 21

One pretty reliable source that I use quite often claims that on May 29, 1839 that Hiram Ulysses Grant enrolled at West Point as Ulysses S. Grant because he wanted to avoid the intials H.U.G.   However, in the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant,  Grant says that he “reported at West Point on the 30th or 31st of May.”   Obviously, something is amiss.  Grant biographor William S. McFeely indicates that Grant had checked in to the Roe Hotel in West Point prior to actually reporting.  Grant had always been known by his middle name, Ulysses, and he signed in as U.H. Grant, flipping his first and middle initial on the hotel register.  He used the name Ulysses H. Grant and probably would have continued to do so had it not been for the sloppiness of a Congressman.

Hamer's sloppiness gave us US Grant instead of UH Grant

You see, it was Grant’s father’s idea for him to go to West Point.  Jesse Grant had thought that the military academy would provide a secure future for his son and , after all, it was free.  The richest  boy in their hometown, Bartlett Bailey, had been dismissed and that provided an opportunity for Jesse Grant to gain his son’s admission.  He initially went to Senator Thomas Morris for an appointment but he was denied.  So, he then turned to Congressman Thomas Hamer, which was difficult for Jesse since Hamer was from the oppposing political party.   Now, Hamer had known the boy as Ulysses and when he made the appointment falsely assumed that was his first name.  Hamer needed to provide a middle initial and most likely recalled that Grant’s mother’s maiden name was Simpson.  On this date in 1839, when the young lad walked from the hotel to register at the academy, he found on the roster two Grants: Elihu Grant from New York and U. S. Grant from Ohio.  From that point forth, he was forever known as U. S. Grant. 

Hand Written Copy By Grant of his "Unconditional Surrender" Notice to Buckner

Grant had success in the military in the Mexican War but, after he left the army, he was somewhat adrift.  When the war began, he was  working as a clerk in the family store in Galena, IL.  He gained a position as a colonel in the Illinois volunteers but quickly rose through the ranks.  He gained the moniker Unconditional Surrender Grant due to his lack of desire to negotiate with the enemy for terms of surrender.  At Fort Donelson, Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner was left to surrender the fort to Grant after the two officers in charge of the garrison had fled.  Buckner had known Grant from the Mexican War and had even lent him money when Grant was in one of his numerous financial potholes.   It had been assumed that Buckner could use his friendship with Grant to secure favorable terms.  But, when Buckner offered an armistice on February 16, 1862 for the purpose of convening a commission to discuss terms of capitualtion, Grant responded, “No terms except and unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.  I propose to move immediately upon your works.”    Buckner was forced “to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you (Grant) propose.” 

Pemberton's Capitulation to Unconditional Surrender Grant

On July 3, 1863 Grant received a message from Confederate General John C. Pemberton who commanded the garrison at Vicksburg, MS which had been under seige by Grant since mid-May.  Grant had made one of the most daring and brilliant moves in US military history when, instead of attempting to attack Vicksburg from the north, he crossed the Mississippi River, moved south through Lousiana and then recrossed the Mississippi, putting his army south of Vicksburg.  This totally went against all the rules of warfare put forth by Jomini, whose tactics were taught at West Point.  Grant had cut off his own supply and communications lines and put his army in a position that put two enemy armies between him and his base and also put the Mississippi River at his back.  Grant himself said in Memoirs that he was a poor student and it is probable that he never read the theories of de Jomini, which is why he stood out above all other Union generals.  Anyway, Pemberton offered an armistice for the purpose of a commission just like Buckner did and Grant responded similarly: ” “The useless effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by the unconditional surrender of the city and garrison.”  Pemberton accepted and Vicksburg fell on July 4, 1863.  It was militarily probably the most significant victory of the Civl War but it fell on the same day as the conclusion of Gettysburg, so  publically its been lost to much historical commentary.

US Grant Rise to Lt. General Followed Initial Confederate Invasion into Kentucky

Unfortunately, the presentation of Ulysses S. Grant has been rather lousy in American history classes.  We are told that he was a drunk, that he was the “butcher” as a general due to the large losses his armies sustained and that his presidency was one of the most corrupt in history.  Most of the time, the Grant administration is listed near the bottom of all presidential lists.  However,  US Grant rose to the level of Lt. General of the United States Army.  No one since Washington had such power.  He was re-elected for a second term and, in 1880, very nearly gained the nomination for a 3rd term as President.  He was wildly popular in the US and around the world as he took a two year journey around the world from 1878 to 1880 in which he literally was the guest of the crowned heads of Europe and other parts of the world.  His speeches were always short, but in total he spoke to millions of people around the world who came to see him. 

Grant's Way of War Lives in 21st Century; Lee's Left in Ash Heap of History

It was President US Grant who destroyed the Ku Klux Klan when he sent troops into the South and the organization did not rise again until the early 20th century.  He remains on the 50 dollar bill today, though some want to replace Grant with Reagan.  In Memoirs, Grant does not mention drinking once.  Biographers such as McFeely mention some drunken escapades.  But, given that he could not stand the site of blood and he presided over the deaths of so many men whom he saw die, it’s probably more surprising that he survived at all.  He was seen by his men as cool under fire and decisive.  U.S. Grant was not perfect, but he was far from the worst.  In fact, a good argument can be made that the American Way of War in the late 20th and early 21st centuries was invented by US Grant.  His tactics were used by Rommel and Montgomery as well as Norman Schwartzkoph in the Gulf War and the “Shock and Awe” tactics of the US in its invasion of Iraq.  The main difference was that Grant used cannon fire while the Americans in Iraq used bombers and missiles.   One can also argue that the command and control structure of the modern US military was invented by Abraham Lincoln and US Grant.

US Grant Lives on $50 Bill

Grant’s father more or less made him go to West Point.  His appointment came about due to the dismissal of someone else.  He rose to prominence in spite of his failings in civilian life and in spite of the fact that he was constantly opposed by his superior officer, Henry W. Halleck.  And is truly fitting name, US Grant came about due to a Congressman not doing his homework.  It was almost as if it were destiny.  Although historians continue to try to bury him the way Halleck tried to bury him, US Grant lives today on the $50 bill and lives on in the tactics of the United States military.  A great man who continues to fight to this day. As a side note….The Personal Memoirs of US Grant are considered the greatest presidential memoir of all and is still in print today.  The original publisher was none other than Mark Twain.

Weather Bottom Line:  Same song.  Look for more numerous thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon. Not everyone will get wet but if you find yourself under a storm, it could drop a pretty fair amount of rain.  Monday afternoon will feature probably more numerous thunderstorms than on Sunday…lets say excessively scattered.  Same story though…could have some heavy down pours in spots though a few people may get no rain at all, but might hear some thunder or feel the cool breezes from nearby storms.  Go to Cave Hill Cemetery for the Memorial Day services at 11AM. Should be dry.  If you see towering cumulous clouds by noon time, then its a fair bet that it will be active in the afternoon.

Kentucky Learns No Decision is the Wrong Decision; You Must Take a Stand May 20, 2010

Houses Divided Fall but What if they Can't Decide to Divide or Not?

Even a Kentucky Civil War Battle Map is Not Too Clear

On This Date in History:  The American Civil War split the nation in two:  North vs. South, Slave State vs. Free State.  Except for one thing.  Not all of the slave states seceded from the Union.  One of those states was Kentucky.  It had been formed from the state of Virginia and, as part of the deal, Kentucky had to be a slave state.  I suppose that there were two reasons for this little clause.  One was that the politicians were generally from the wealthy class and the wealthy minority owned the vast majority of slaves.  Also, slave-holding Virginia’s legislature wanted to double its power.  Because of distance and topography, it was extremely difficult to govern such a large area stretching from the Atlantic Coast to the Ohio River.  So, they almost had to do it.  But, they also knew that citizens in the western part of the state really wanted it too.  So, they agreed to the split and, by making certain that it was a slave state, ensured two more Senators from slave states as well as an additional delegation in the House of Representatives that would be supportive of the “slaveocracy.” 

Sherman Ruled Kentucky Long Enough To Be Called Insane

Well, as previously mentioned, the vast majority of slave-holders in Kentucky were wealthy planters.  The majority of people, however, did not own slaves.  So, that made for a difficult decision for legislators when it came to secession.  Not only were there more people who did not own slaves in the state, but also the Federal government was putting great pressure to have the state of the birth of Abraham Lincoln remain in the Union.  Militarily, it was also an extremely important strategic asset for the North as whomever held Louisville could control the Ohio River at the Falls of the Ohio.  Louisville was also a big rail hub for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and its connection to the South.  The Kentucky Legislature chose not to choose.  Instead, on this date in 1861, the state of Kentucky took a stand of neutrality.  They would officially not support the North nor the South.  It was a pretty short sighted position as I’m not sure how exactly the state thought that it could keep either side from sending troops through the state.  The fact is, they couldn’t. 

US Grant Rise to Prominence Followed Initial Confederate Invasion into Kentucky

President Lincoln was a very shrewd politician and so instead of forcing the issue, on July 10,1861 he wrote  Inspector General of the Kentucky Militia Simon B Buckner and stated that Federal Troops would not enter the Bluegrass State.  In essence he was taking the high road and probably understood that the Confederacy would not make such a claim but instead try to entice the slave state to join their ranks in some form or fashion.  If that was his thought, then he was correct because on September 4, 1861 Gideon Pillow led his Confederate troops out of Tennessee and into extreme Western Kentucky to set up fortifications at Columbus, KY.  Rebel Major General Leonidis Polk was in control of Arkansas and Missouri and he was the one who ordered Pillow into the state.  The South’s Secretary of War told Polk to withdraw but Confederate President Jefferson Davis over-ruled that order.   In reaction, Union General US Grant moved from Cairo, IL to secure Paducah and Smithfield.   Shortly thereafter, Grant started his climb to prominence with victories and Fort Henry and Fort Donnelson. 

Magoffin Was Stylin' With His Beard But Was Hardly a Trendsetting Governor

Obviously, neutrality was not going to work .  Both sides had violated the neutrality terms but the Confederates had started it.  Really, they had started it well before Pillow’s crossing the border.  See, Kentucky Governor Beriah Magoffin had signed the notice of neutrality but he had sympathies with the Confederacy.  So, he did nothing when Rebel recruiters came into the state.  He also did nothing when war materials were being exported South.  Lincoln, however, refrained from reacting because he was very sensitive to doing anything that might shove Kentucky into the arms of the Confederacy.  But in June elections, Unionists had won 5 of 6 Kentucky Congressional seats.  For some reason, many secessionists in the state decided it was wise to boycott the polls.  Then, in early August, Republicans won majorities in both houses of the Kentucky legislature. 

So, it should not be surprising that two weeks after Pillow moved into Kentucky, the legislature resolved that the Confederate “invaders must be expelled!”  Magoffin resigned and that was the end of neutrality.  The Union Army designated Louisville as the home of the Army of the Ohio. At first, it was under the command of Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame but he was in poor health and was replaced by William T. Sherman.  Sherman kept wildly saying he needed more troops and acted so eccentrically that he was seen by many as “insane.”  His career almost came to an end but instead he was transferred under the command of Henry Halleck in St. Louis where Sherman regained his composure and later regained his reputation as the right hand man of General Grant.  Don Carlos Buell took over in Louisville and commanded about 75,000 men.  They built some 15 forts around Louisville as a defense against Confederate invasion. 

When an adversary retreats after a battle, most of the time it's seen as a victory. Buell held the field after Perryville and the Confederates never returned to the state in force. Yet, Buell was fired and many want to say the Battle of Perryville was a Confederate victory.

In 1862, Braxton Bragg led an army of about 45, 000 into Kentucky.  He was convinced that Kentuckians were just waiting to join the Southern Cause.  He moved his troops in an tried to gain recruits.  By the time he got to Mumfordville, it became apparent that was not the case.  Reporter Whitelaw Reid, who later became the editor of the New York Tribune, said that Bragg complained that Kentuckians were “shuffling middlemen” who just sat on the sidelines waiting to see which side would be victorious before making a committment.  So, he tried a political solution by going to Frankfort and holding his own gubnatorial swearing in ceremony.  Perhaps he thought that if the Confederacy swore in a Confederate governor and simply claimed the state that the citizens would follow.  Instead, the ceremony was halted early due to the report of Union cannonfire from a detachment of artillery that was sent from Louisville by Buell.  It was a hot and dry summer and both Buell and Bragg had their men go to Perryville in order to get water from a creek.  A battle ensued with the Confederates inflicting more casualties but the Union holding the ground as overnight Bragg retreated.  Bragg continued to retreat all the way out of the state, never to return.  Buell didn’t follow him and he got fired, never to serve again.

Jeff Davis Monument: No Comparison to Washington

My research revealed a historian who claims that the people of Perryville buried the Union dead and left the Confederates to rot in the hot sun.  Some 25,000 Kentuckians fought for the Confederacy while over 125,000 wore the blue uniform.  Louisville was the home of 75,000 Union troops and was defended by 15 forts against Confederate invasion.  The Kentucky legislature called for the expulsion of Confederate armies.  When given the opportunity to join Bragg’s army, Kentuckians did not respond.  William Clarke Quantrill of “Quantrill’s Raiders” fame died in Louisville after being shot and captured near Smiley, KY.  Confederate Guerilla leader Marcellus Jerome Clarke aka Sue Mundy was executed in Louisville.  Doesn’t sound like much of a Southern state, does it?  Well, after the war, as part of the “Lost Cause” effort in the South, history changed.  Many of Louisville’s elites had been associated with the South and that’s what they wanted to remember.  Louisville, home of the Army of the Ohio, has a Confederate War Memorial.  Jefferson Davis was born in the state but lived in Kentucky for just a few years before he moved to Mississippi. He did return to go to school for a few years but his life’s work was really in Mississippi.   Yet, his statue is in the state capital.  There is also monolith monument to Davis in Fairview, KY that resembles the Washington Memorial.  Not a single Union memorial is in the state.  On April 17, 1885 Louisville led the nation in a birthday celebration of the 63rd year of Ulysses S. Grant.  You can find a plaque commemorating the event on Grant’s tomb but not one word of it is in the 1896 Memorial History of Louisville.  The same is true of the decade long National Industrial Exposition yet, the 5 year Southern Exposition has an entire chapter all to itself.  No…Kentucky said it was neutral but sided with the Union.  It’s history was tied with the North.  I’ve seen a quote that says that “in 1865, Louisville was a Northern City and by 1900 it was a Southern City.”  Most Kentuckians have been raised to think it was always in the South.  Nevertheless, those of us from more southern regions know better. 

No Matter What Party of the Country you Associate Kentucky, It's a Very Interesting and Nice Place to Live

When my friend Kim Stevens, from Muscle Shoals, AL married a young man from Louisville, her family said that they guessed it was okay for her to marry a Yankee.  When Snow White and I were in Savanah, GA and discussing the war between the states with a tour guide, when she found out that we were from Kentucky she dismissed us as being Yankees.   Much of Kentucky gets from 1 to 2 feet of snow each year and annually has at least one night of near zero or below zero temperatures.  Last year, Louisville went through the entire month of July without a single high temperature in the 90′s.  The South?  No…but its not the North either, nor the Midwest or the East.  What makes Kentucky so difficult to pinpoint geographically also makes it difficult to define culturally.  And from a climatological and meterological perspective, its location makes it extremely difficult to categorize and forecast.  Perhaps that is why the state legislature could not make up its mind in 1861.  But, one thing that I think is certain, this conundrum is exactly why I think the state is a wonderful place to live.

Weather Bottom Line:  Thursday evening into Thursday night will most likely produce some pretty good storms with rain totals over an inch.  We don’t need that.  We don’t need severe storms either but most likely we will not see those but its worth keeping an eye on. Some troubling storms with wind and small hail may be on the loose in a couple of areas.  Still looks like we heat up and dry out from the weekend forward.

Reagan Replacing Grant on the $50 Bill Ill-Considered March 9, 2010

Greatness of Grant is Obscured by History

US Grant with his horse, Cincinnati

On This Date in History:  There is a proposal being floated that President Reagan’s image replace that of US Grant on the Fifty dollar bill.  Most people are aware of President Reagan’s accomplishment but his legacy is still being formed.  Most people, however, know very little about US Grant and at least part of his history should be considered.   On April 27, 1822 a new baby boy came into the world near Point Pleasant, Ohio.  His parents gave him the name of Hiram Ulysses Grant.  Fortunately for the child, he was known to everyone by his middle name, Ulysses.  According to Grant biographer, William S. McFeely, when the young lad received an appointment to West Point, he “took advantage of his new start in life to tinker with his name.”    When he registered at Roe’s Hotel, he switched his names and signed the register as Ulysses H. Grant.  Now, his mother had been pushing for his appointment and Congressman Thomas Hamer had little time to make the appointment.  He had known the boy as Ulysses but was uncertain regarding his middle name.  Grant’s mother had been Jesse Simpson before she was married and Hamer knew of Jesse Grant’s maiden name.  So, he made the appointment for Ulysses S. Grant.  When Ulysses appeared for the initial registration, he found that there were two Grants listed.  One was Elihu from New York and the other was for Ulysses S. Grant from Ohio.  He chose the latter.  If he considered making a correction, he never followed through so well before his graduation and commissioning, he was thereafter known as Ulysses S. Grant.

Fort Donelson and Fort Henry Fell to Grant in February 1862

He didn’t do well academically at West Point but did graduate.  He served with some distinction in the Mexican War but left the army before the outbreak of the Civil War.  He did not find much success in civilian life and was working in the family business as a clerk in Galena, Illinois.  To that point, he had been a failure.  At the outset of the war, mainly due to his previous military experience, he became a colonel commanding the 21st Illinois Regiment.  When he first expected hostilities, Grant admitted that he was nervous.  But, when he found that the enemy had abandoned its position, it was then that he realized the enemy was as afraid of him as he was of them and from that point forth never had trepedation heading into battle.  He rose rather rapidly to the rank of Brigadier General and later commanded successful attacks on Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.  At that time, those were just about the only Union successes in the war.  While his commanding officer, Henry Halleck, consistently attempted to  throw up obstacles, Grant caught the eye of President Lincoln who was constantly looking for a general who could lead and who would fight.  He went on to lead a bloody but decisive victory at Shiloh.

Busy Vicksburg Fell to Grant on July 4th

Grant conducted a masterful and daring campaign against Vicksburg, MS which he put under siege.  It is an effort that is often overlooked by many history classes because the fall of Vicksburg happened coincidentally with the battle of Gettysburg.   While Gettysburg was monumental and marked the end of the northern extent of Confederate incursions, it can be argued that Grant’s securing of Vicksburg was militarily more significant than Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg.  By securing Vicksburg, the Union had gained control of the Mississippi River and effectively cut the Confederacy in two.  From that point, Grant led more bold victories in Tennessee.

Lee Surrendered in Best Dress Uniform; Grant Showed Up in Private's Coat

The rank of Lieutenant General had not been used in the military since General Washington held the rank.  I suppose the Lieutenant moniker indicates that the rank is second only to the President, who is the Commander in Chief.  President Lincoln urged Congress to reactivate the position and on this date in 1864, Ulysses S. Grant was advanced to the level of Lt. General…the highest ranking General Officer the nation had seen since General Washington.  At the presentation, Lincoln said, “General Grant, the nation’s appreciation of what you have done, and its reliance upon you for what remains to be done in the existing great struggle, are now presented, with this commission constituting you you lieutenant-general in the Army of the United States.  With his high honor, devolves upon you, also, a corresponding responsibility.  As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you.  I scarcely need to add, that, with what I here speak for the nation, goes my own hearty personal concurrence.”

Grant Still on the $50 Bill...Some Want Ron to Replace him

Grant did go on to lead the Union to victory and became the 18th President of the United States.  We are often told in history of how he was a drunk, his administration was corrupt and he is typically listed near the bottom of most presidential listings.  Nevertheless, it was his delayed actions during Reconstruction that effictively destroyed the Ku Klux Klan in 1871 until it resurfaced in the early 20th century.  Consider that he was one of the most beloved men of his time.  He went on a two year world tour where he was greeted by thousands and welcome by the crowned heads of the world.  In 1881, he was a serious contender for an unprecedented third term.  I’ve always wondered why modern historians think he was so bad when the people who lived during his tenure in office would have even remotely considered him for another term.  Yet, now someone wants to replace US Grant’s image on the $50 bill with that of President Reagan.  That would be a mistake.  Grant needs to be recognized and remembered. 

Grant's Way of War Lives in 21st Century; Lee's Left in Ash Heap of History

Now, critics often point to Grant’s poor standing in his graduating class at West Point to illustrate his shortcomings.  But, at West Point,  the strategy and tactics of de Jomini (Napoleonic) were taught that called for the maintanance of supply lines and concentrating on key points of communication and supply.  Grant claims in his memoirs that he never read all of his books at West Point and that was a help.  He surveyed the situation and determined that his goal should be to use his overwhelming force to attack and annihaliate armies and supplies so that they are unable to continue to make war.  In general, these “Grantonian Tactics” were used by Rommel, Montgomery and today by the US military.  In my view, he was a 20th century man living in the 19th century and his legacy lives on in the 21st century.  US Grant  would recognize what the media came to call “shock and awe” because US Grant invented it.  Read more about Grant and you will find he was a much much greater figure in American history than he is given credit.

SPC Severe Threat Wednesday

SPC Severe Threat Thursday

Weather Bottom Line:  I told you for several days that there would be severe weather and yesterday there was a major tornado in Oklahoma.   The bulk of the severe threat will remain South of Louisville…the Arklatex looks like a good spot and also the Dixie states.  The main system is getting hung up but that means that we will continue to have mild conditions and increasing moisture.  So, rain on Tuesday night will give rise to some lingering showers on Wednesday morning followed by temperatures near 70 in the afternoon and then a threat for t’storms on Thursday.  At this point, as this guy comes out on Thursday, the main severe threat will be South but, I would suggest that its still possible, not necessarily probable, that we get some action around here.  There are several variables at play.  After the main system moves through, we cool down for the weekend but nothing too far from seasonal norms.  The excessive cold long wave pattern seems to have given way to a pattern that will be more supportive of an active spring-like pattern.

Bogus Movie Is Considered One of Greatest; Really a Scam February 8, 2010

Idiotic Scene From "Historic" Birth of a Nation

On This Date in History: First, on an interesting note relating to baseball and Bonds as well as a recent post, I found out that Hank Aaron’s birthday was February 5. The man he passed as the all time home run king, Babe Ruth, celebrated his birthday on February 6. That’s kinda unusual. Then, I got to thinking…which is dangerous…I had a post regarding the Great Baltimore Fire on Feb 7-8 1904. Speculation is that it started from a carelessly tossed cigarette or cigar. Now, Ruth would have just celebrated his 9th birthday and his father’s bar is located close by to where the fire started. I don’t think that Ruth had been sent away to St. Mary’s Orphanage when he was 9, so what about the possibility that the fire was started by the juvenile delinquent George Herman Ruth!

Griffith's KKK Saves The South from Reconstruction...Nonsense

That would make a good story line for our feature of the day…Kentuckian David Wark Griffith.   He was born not far from Louisville in La Grange and became famous for the first full length feature film, Birth of a Nation. The film opened on this date in 1915 and Birth of a Nation is  widely regarded as historic and monumnetal and such. I could never figure out why because it’s stupid and it’s biased and racist and inaccurate. I believe that the notorieiity comes, not due to the content, but instead for the techniques that Griffith used and pioneered that gives the film its place in history.

Griffith was born in 1875 to an Ex-Confederate. Now, much of the nation today thinks of Kentucky as being in the South. But, when I moved here, I couldn’t believe I was moving so far north. I thought I was in Yankeeland. Kim Stevens is from Alabama and she married a guy from Louisville. Her family said that they thought they could accept that she was marrying a “Yankee.” People who are really in the South don’t think of Kentucky as being in the South. Oh…the anger I get from people about that. I tell people to move to Jackson, Mississippi if they want to find out what the South is like. I point out that about 25,000 served in the Confederacy from Kentucky while over 130,00o served in the Union. I point out that Louisville was home to the

Griffith's KKK Saves The Ladies! More Foolishness

Army of the Ohio and 75,000 Union Troops who were invited into the state by the legislature in late 1861. I point out that Louisville averages over 15 inches of snow a year and often gets below zero. I point out that St. Louis is exactly 250 miles due west, was a major city in a border state yet no one calls them the South. My thesis had to do with Loiusville’s true roots being with the North but that they purposely realigned themselves with the South for economic reasons after the war. That’s where the myth of the Kentucky Colonel comes from. Louisville had the only working railroad into the South after the war and wanted to capitalize economically for the rebuilding south and so they basically said, “why, we wuz with ya all the time boys!! Do business with us, not them Yankees!” Never mind that Braxton Bragg came into the state with an Army of 45, 000 hoping to get Kentuckians to join the Confederate cause. Kentuckians declined, leaving Bragg to refer to Kentuckians as a bunch of “shuffling middlemen.” Now, there were no book burnings, but Kentuckians simply left out all references to the North when they wrote the history of the state, specifically the Memorial History of Louisville to 1896. They had a whole section on the Southern Exposition but said not one word about the National Industrial Exposition that lasted twice as long. They made no reference to a huge event that became national in scope in 1885 celebrating the birthday of US Grant. It’s on Grant’s Tomb in the form of a plaque but is found nowhere (except my published article…Ohio Valley History Fall 2008… and thesis) because they wanted no one to find out about it. It messed up their story.

Protesters Were Pretty Close To the Mark

Well, DW Griffith was part of the mythmaking when he made Birth of a Nation. For the first month of its release, it was called The Clansmen and was a biased view of the Civil War and Reconstruction. It portrayed African Americans in an awful light and as evil and bad. It created the illusion of the Ku Klux Klan as some heroic figures. Now, US Grant had crushed the Klan in the 1870′s. But, not long after Griffith’s stupid movie, the Klan re-emerged to be a scurge on the land for decades to come. There is little doubt that Griffith’s film helped sway public support toward the reborn group that became “anti” all sorts of things, not just African Americans. It’s an idiotic film. It was censored in some cities and sparked riots in many northern cities. The newly formed NAACP tried to have it banned. Griffith did agree to cut out some particularly offensive scenes. But, the film itself is largely historically a fraud and I suppose it set the stage for historic movies to come as most Hollywood historically based films are not accurate…don’t believe everything you see.

Fairbanks, Pickford, Chaplin and Griffith: Founders of United Artists in 1919

There are some interesting things about the film though was that Griffith began the idea of feature length films. He also was the first to make actors rehearse before shooting scenes, thus increasing the quality of the acting. Griffith helped pioneer the use of zooms and close ups and panning camera shots. He also had breakthroughs in editing techniques that are still used today. His work with the actors helped launch the big careers of people like Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish. He later went on to form United Artists with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. So, Griffith does have a place in film history….just don’t buy his work of propaganda and foolishness AS history…its nonsense.

12Z GFS Called For over 5 inches through Wed

I Told You So! (at least I think so)

Weather Bottom Line:  Well, I’m breaking out Colonel Klink because this is pretty close to an “I told you so” as I’ve had in awhile.  Then again, maybe I should wait until this event actually happens before I claim victory because it’s still not a slam dunk.  But, I like Werner Klemper so there you go.  What am I prematurely crowing about?  First off,  I’ve been saying for days that I didn’t see how we were going to get above freezing today or any other day this week.  At 5pm we touched 31 in Louisville.  Hmmm…I suppose it’s still possible that we move warmer but at this point I claim victory. Then, I’ve been telling you since last Wednesday that we could see a pretty decent snow on Tuesday and Wednesday.   Then, I let you know that some data was trying to bring in rain in between the snow, thus decreasing our snow total.   Well, the morning run from both the GFS and NAM both call for all snow and run something more than 5 inches.  OK, now the reason why I may be jumping the shark with Colonel Klink. 

12Z NAM called for over 4 inches of snow

The storm coming has some similarities to the one  a few days ago in that we have a southern and northern stream somewhat in sync.  The southern system though is farther south and it is driving the warmer air farther north.  Graphically, almost every model almost every run since last Wednesday has put the 500mb to 100omb thickness line south of the area, but close at times. Yet, numerically, the past several days both the GFS and NAM were insisting on some snow followed by rain and then closing with snow.  But, the 12Z run of both models both kept Louisville as all snow and both came in with an excess of 5 inches.  Now, the 18Z NAM is backing off with just under 3 inches.  I’ve been thinking all along that we would get all snow but the rain/snow line will be close…say around E’town and that’s not far from Louisville. 

18Z NAM Snow backed off to about 3 inches

So, I say the same thing I’ve said all along. Plan on snow beginning after midnight early Tuesday morning and continuing with perhaps 3-4 inches.  Then, things should back off but then pick up again lightly for Tuesday night into the first part of Wednesday as the northern system behaves more as an upper low to the parent southern low; again very similar to last week.  I would think that this secondary guy may bring an additional inch or so.  An obvious fly in the ointment would be if that rain/snow line drifts just a shade farther north.  The earth is 25, 000 miles around and so a difference of just 30 miles is a small fraction of the world’s surface but is a huge difference regarding snow totals.  If we do in fact get a little rain between periods of snow.  Not only will Colonel Klink have egg on his face but also the driving conditions will be more difficult as icing may become an issue. 

Chuck Knows Snow, but he's not tellin'

The other potential problem with a 5-6 inch snow would be in the event we stay all snow but there are big thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast, that may serve to limit some of the moisture coming up from the South.  And you know what?  The  Storm Prediction Center does indeed call for possible thunderstorms from East Texas to south Mississippi through Tuesday morning.  So, it’s not that far fetched.  They don’t have a severe risk but I’m telling you, some decent storms are possible and I would have concern that it messes up our snow potential even if the rain snow line behaves itself and stays south.  Now, if those storms don’t materialize (the probably will to some degree) and we do stay all snow, then maybe we’d get more than 5 inches…but I doubt that will happen.  The other issue is temperatures.  I’ve seen some national forecasts call for highs above freezing on Friday through the weekend.  I don’t get it.  Well, I suppose that they are coming around and have lowered that high on Friday to 32 but they have teens for Friday morning then mid 30′s for highs through the weekend. I still don’t get it.  I just don’t see how we get above freezing through Sunday.  And, I’ll tell you what…the Wednesday winds should have backed off by Friday morning and if we get clearing for that night..even partial clearing…it will be colder than the teens.

Regardless, its still a very difficult forecast and there will be great differences in snow totals between the southern part of Kentuckiana and the northern part.  Somewhere in between is the rain snow line and to say for certain exactly where it will be is above my pay grade and I believe above that of any human….except maybe Chuck Heston and he’s not tellin’.

Presidential Election Leads to Fallen Candidate’s Death in “Insanity” November 29, 2009

Tragic Rapid Demise of Presidential Candidate

 

Greeley portrayed reaching across graves of Andersonville

On This Date in History:  In the presidential election of 1872,  New York Tribune founder and editor Horace Greeley faced off against incumbent, Ulysses S. Grant.  Greeley never saw a social reform that he didn’t like and he actually was nominated by a group known as the Liberal Republicans who split from the main party that nominated President Grant.  In somewhat of a surprise, the Democrats nominated Greeley, who once said that “All Democrats may not be rascals, but all rascals are Democrats.”  But Greeley was in favor of amnesty for all ex-Confederates and for withdrawl of all federal troops from the southern states.  And at that point, the Democrats were in a favor of anyone who held such views. 

Greeley Kneeling to the Democrat Devil

But, Greeley was hammered as a candidate.  Editors and cartoonists lampooned his rumpled clothes, chin whiskers and baby face.  They piled on him for his support of prohibition, vegetarianism and visions of communes.  Greeley openly wondered if he was running for the penitentiary or the presidency.  On top of his sensitivity to savage public criticism and ridicule, he was dealing with an ailing wife.  In September 1872 he remained in New York at his wife bedside and slept little until her death on October 30, 1872 which was the week before the election.

Greeley and his running mate depicted as Doomed

Grant won 30 out of 36 states.  Grant received 286 electoral votes and Greeley just 66.  Officially though, Greeley only received 3 electoral votes.  That is because on this date in 1872, Horace Greeley died which was prior to the official voting by the electoral college.  Following Greeley’s death, 63 of the electors scattered their votes among four other candidates.  Perhaps this is symbolic of the tragic end to Horace Greeley. Following the devastating loss of his wife, the public flogging by his detractors during the campaign and his overwhelming defeat at the polls, Greeley was a broken man; and things got worse.  He tried to resume control of the Tribune but was pushed aside by acting editor Whitelaw Reid.  Instead of welcoming Greeley back, Reid put a box on the front page of the paper that mocked Republican office seekers who had sought Greeley’s assistance.  When Greeley offered a response, Reid refused to publish it in the paper.  And get this…Whitelaw Reid not only had been invited to join the Tribune by Greeley, but he also had been Greeley’s campaign manager!   Just three weeks after the election that may have elevated him to the top office in the land, Horace Greeley died; his mind so broken that his condition was described as “insane.”

Today, we say that politics is “rough and tumble” but I don’t think we’ve seen anything like the 1872 election which one might say, cost Horace Greeley his life.

Sunday Evening

Weather Bottom Line:   Well, phooey on me.  Not only did we warm up after a chilly start on Saturday, we got to the low 60′s which I had said would be tough to do.  Oh well, better to miss when its a few degrees warmer than the opposite. Otherwise, everything else is on track and its not all that good.  I was correct in saying that Saturday would be the warmest we would see for many days.  Sunday with clouds increasing and thickening, we will not be as warm as Saturday but I do think we stay dry during the day.  Sunday night, a cold front comes through and we get rain and showers will carry over into Monday.   Look for sharply colder condition on Monday with highs only in the low 40′s…maybe mid 40′s for southern parts of the viewing area. 

Freezing line at all levels at Gulf Coast by Friday morning

Tuesday we get a reprieve though temperatures will be seasonally cool.  A cut off low has been lurking in the Southwest US and a strong front with a deep trof will pick that up and on Wednesday, it moves across Texas, picks up Gulf moisture and moves quickly into the Southeast US.  Our rain chances will consequently go up with cloudy conditions and the front that picks up that cut off low will be making its way through the area.  Look for your local forecast to once again mention snow.  While this time around it may be a bit more possible than last week, it is still largely irrelevant.  Temperatures will be cold but above freezing. Ground temperatures certainly won’t be cold enough for any accumulation.  In my mind, its simply a conversation piece at best.  But, the latter part of the week probably won’t see temperatures much above 40 with some maybe not getting above 40 until Saturday and even then it won’t be much above 40.

Woman Jailed For Voting; Trains Finally Run on Time November 18, 2009

The Criminal Susan B Anthony!

On This Date in History: The presidential election of 1872 was rather odd and somewhat brutal. It was between President Ulysses S. Grant and New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley. The first term of Grant had been clouded by some questionable moves and charges of corruption. When Grant was renominated, the Liberal Republicans split off and nominated Horace Greeley, who never saw a social reform he didn’t like. As an editor, he was brilliant. As a candidate, he was sorely lacking. The Democrats surprisingly nominated Greeley, who had once said, “all Democrats may not be rascals but all of the rascals are Democrats.” I guess the Democrats figured that they could get the split Republican vote as well as Southern Democrats who would vote for anyone who was for amnesty of Confederates and the withdrawal of federal troops from the South.

Susan B. Anthony

While Grant spent his summer at the seashore, the newspapers went wild with negative press on their former rival, Greeley. They made sport of his favoring prohibition, vegetarianism and living on communes. The Phrenological Journal even measured his cranium and came out with a detailed analysis of why he was unfit for office. Greeley grew despondent and was sent into a deeper depression as he sat at his wife’s bedside where she died on October 30, 1872. A week later he got swamped at the polls winning 6 states to Grant’s 30.

Sue Carried her Fight to our Friend Grover

If this weren’t enough, suffragette Susan B. Anthony carried through on her scheme to force the issue of women’s voting. On November 1, 1872 Anthony and a group of other women went to register to vote. They were rebuffed but Anthony threatened to sue and quoted the 14th Amendment and New York law that was silent on the subject of sex. The men who were responsible for registration allowed them to register out of fear and also because they figured that if anything went wrong, it would fall on the heads of the ladies. They were right. Anthony and a few other women voted on November 5, 1872 but later a Democrat poll watcher complained that Anthony had cast an illegal ballot. Susan B. Anthony was arrested on this date in 1872 for voting.    The trial of Susan B Anthony began on June 17, 1873 and ultimately, she was found guilty and fined $100 plus court costs but she openly defied the judge saying that she would never pay up.   She was right…she never paid.   The 19th Amendment was passed four years after Anthony’s death.   Here is a complete detail of the events surrounding the arrest of Susan B. Anthony.

 

No Way to Run A Railroad

World Time Zone Map...Invented by American Corporate Capitalists?

It’s About Time: It used to be that each town in the nation could set its own time. In New York it was noon while in Philadelphia it was 11:55 AM. Towns would go by “God’s Time” or “Sun Time”. I have no idea what the former was but the latter was probably derived by local noon i.e. when the sun was at its highest, which seems difficult since that would be different every day. Wisconsin had 38 different local times. That was no way to run a railroad. The railroads were the first mode of transportation that went rapidly over long distances. Scheduling depended on time, not just for passengers but also for the safety of the system. There were numerous train collisions because of confusion of time. So, in on this date in 1883, the railroads had the entire nation synchronize the time by using time zones, theoretically 24 that would circle the earth based on the prime meridian at Greenwich, England. Of course, some towns in true American style resisted. Bath, Maine rang its town square bell 20 minutes before noon every day and Augusta, Georgia insisted on pushing its clock ahead at noon to maintain sun time. But, corporate America eventually won out with the passage of the Standard Time Act in 1918. So, all of you who think that corporate America produces nothing but evil, take a look at your watch.

7PM Wed...system still lurking

Weather Bottom Line:  From MIC John Gordon at the Louisville National Weather Service…this is GIS DAY! They’re breaking out the party hats at the local weather office.  And let me tell you.  When you get a bunch of meteorologists together, they know how to party.  But, its been tough for them to come up with good party favors ever since the slide rule went out of favor.

As for the weather story, it remains the same.  We have the occluded front and the dying cut off low meandering slowly to the north and so the showers will stick around for the next day or so.  I would say “off and on” but the definition of showers is rain that is intermittent.  So, if you hear someone on TV say “off and on showers” or “intermittent showers” they are being redundant.   The thing is, they probably don’t even know that they are being redundant.  But, then again, I got nailed a few times for a grammatical faux paux so perhaps I should keep my rocks in the bag as I live in a glass house.  Anyway, call it cloudy and damp through Wednesday with perhap a few lingering light showers for the first part of Thursday.  Bottom line is the weekend looks good.  Pretty fair amount of sunshine but temperatures will be more seasonal than we’ve seen with highs in the 50′s and lows in the 30′s and 40′s.

Just a side note:  if the GFS is correct, then next Tuesday we may have something interesting to talk about with a strong front.  But, its a week away.  Let’s get through these crappy days and then enjoy the weekend before we worry about that.

Birth of A Nation of Lies-Baseball Follows Script? February 8, 2009

Clemens Said the Steroids Were For His Wife

Clemens Wife Before & After Steroids?

Barry Early and Late in Career

Steroids and Baseball:

Last year, Roger Clemens took his turn in front of Congress regarding steroids. He said such memorable things such as he “misremembered” many things.  But, he claims he never took steroids.  He said he bought some for his wife.  So, he threw his wife under the bus.  His former trainer claims that he did give Clemens steroids.  Part of the testimony regarded large cysts on his backside, an apparent side effect to injecting steroids.  Clemens is under investigation for perjury.  Barry Bonds is facing charges that he lied

Canseco Says A-Rod Did Steroids And Hit on His Wife...at least he didn't Hit his wife, Jose

to a grand jury regarding his steroid use.  The trial is supposed to be coming up and the government apparently has tests from 2003 and prior to that they say are positive tests against Bonds.  There is also a secretly taped conversation between one of Bonds’ former associates and his trainer.  The trainer has gone to jail for refusing to testify but, this recorded conversation has him telling the jilted associate ways to avoid getting detected in tests.  It included stuff about cysts forming where injections are given.  Before we slam the jail door shut on Barry…he seems to have an ally in the courtroom.  The judge appears to be poised to disallow the drug tests prior to 2003 as well as the secret tape.  Now, we have a report from Sports Illustrated regarding Alex Rodriguez saying that he not only tested positive for steroids, but that one of the union leaders was tipping him and other players off as to when they would be tested so they could prepare in advance to avoid detection.  They say where there’s smoke there’s fire.  I’d say there is a towering inferno brewing.

Idiotic Scene From "Historic" Birth of a Nation

On This Date in History: First, on an interesting note relating to baseball and Bonds as well as a recent post, I found out that Hank Aaron’s birthday was February 5.  The man he passed as the all time home run king, Babe Ruth, celebrated his birthday on February 6.  That’s kinda unusual.  Then, I got to thinking…which is dangerous…I had a post regarding the Great Baltimore Fire on Feb 7-8 1904.  Speculation is that it started from a carelessly tossed cigarette or cigar.  Now, Ruth would have just celebrated his 9th birthday and his father’s bar is located close by to where the fire started. I don’t think that Ruth had been sent away to St. Mary’s Orphanage when he was 9, so what about the possibility that the fire was started by the juvenile delinquent George Herman Ruth!

Griffith's KKK Saves The South from Reconstruction...Nonsense

That would make a good story line for our feature of the day…Kentuckian David Wark Griffith.  He was born not far from Louisville in La Grange and became famous for the first full length feature film, Birth of a Nation.  The film opened on this date in 1915 and is widely regarded as historic and monumnetal and such.  I could never figure out why because it’s stupid and it’s biased and racist and inaccurate.  It’s not the content so much as the techniques that Griffith used and pioneered that gives the film its place in history.

Griffith was born in 1875 to an Ex-Confederate.  Now, much of the nation today thinks of Kentucky as being in the South.  But, when I moved here, I couldn’t believe I was moving so far north.  I thought I was in Yankeeland.  Kim Stevens is from Alabama and she married a guy from Louisville. Her family said that they thought they could accept that she was marrying a “Yankee.”  People who are really in the South don’t think of Kentucky as being in the South.   Oh…the anger I get from people about that.  I tell people to move to Jackson, Mississippi if they want to find out what the South is like.  I point out that about 25,000 served in the Confederacy from Kentucky while over 130,00o served in the Union.  I point out that Louisville was home to the

Griffith's KKK Saves The Ladies! More Foolishness

Army of the Ohio and 75,000 Union Troops who were invited into the state by the legislature in late 1861.  I point out that Louisville averages over 15 inches of snow a year and often gets below zero.  I point out that St. Louis is exactly 250 miles due west, was a major city in a border state yet no one calls them the South.  My thesis had to do with Loiusville’s true roots being with the North but that they purposely realigned themselves with the South for economic reasons after the war.  That’s where the myth of the Kentucky Colonel comes from.  Louisville had the only working railroad into the South after the war and wanted to capitalize economically for the rebuilding south and so they basically said, “why, we wuz with ya all the time boys!! Do business with us, not them Yankees!”  Never mind that Braxton Bragg came into the state with an Army of 45, 000 hoping to get Kentuckians to join the Confederate cause.  Kentuckians declined, leaving Bragg to refer to Kentuckians as a bunch of “shuffling middlemen.”  Now, there were no book burnings, but Kentuckians simply left out all references to the North when they wrote the history of the state, specifically the Memorial History of Louisville to 1896.  They had a whole section on the Southern Exposition but said not one word about the National Industrial Exposition that lasted twice as long.  They made no reference to a huge event that became national in scope in 1885 celebrating the birthday of US Grant.  It’s on Grant’s Tomb in the form of a plaque but is found nowhere (except my published article…Ohio Valley History Fall 2008… and thesis) because they wanted no one to find out about it.  It messed up their story.

Protesters Were Pretty Close To the Mark

Well, DW Griffith was part of the mythmaking when he made Birth of a Nation.  For the first month of its release, it was called The Clansmen and was a biased view of the Civil War and Reconstruction.  It portrayed African Americans in an awful light and as evil and bad.  It created the illusion of the Ku Klux Klan as some heroic figures.  Now, US Grant had crushed the Klan in the 1870′s.  But, not long after Griffith’s stupid movie, the Klan re-emerged to be a scurge on the land for decades to come.  There is little doubt that Griffith’s film helped sway public support toward the reborn group that became “anti” all sorts  of things, not just African Americans.  It’s an idiotic film.  It was censored in some cities and sparked riots in many northern cities.  The newly formed NAACP tried to have it banned.  Griffith did agree to cut out some particularly offensive scenes.  But, the film itself is largely historically a fraud and I suppose it set the stage for historic movies to come as most Hollywood historically based films are not accurate…don’t believe everything you see.

There are some interesting things about the film though was that Griffith began the idea of feature length films. He also was the first to make actors rehearse before shooting scenes, thus increasing the quality of the acting.  Griffith helped pioneer the use of zooms and close ups and panning camera shots. He also had breakthroughs in editing techniques that are still used today.  His work with the actors helped launch the big careers of people like Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish.  He later went on to form United Artists with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.  So, Griffith does have a place in film history….just don’t buy his work of propaganda and foolishness AS history…its nonsense.

Weather Bottom Line: Told you that things may change…I mean come on…we’re talking about weather a couple of weeks out and the accuracy of a 7 day forecast has some pretty good grains of salt to ingest after day 2 and they get bigger as you go toward day 7.  Anyway, data is suggesting that we are cooler with some light rain Sunday. Fine.  Then we warm up but data really doesn’t support highs toward 70 on Wednesday.  And the models are not all that enthused about severe weather here.  The good stuff coming together appears to be more down in the Ozarks back into North Texas.  But, I would rest too easy just yet.  Still  could be of some interest but the models just aren’t on board yet.  There may be a bit of climatology in the equations of the models causing a bit of a bias.  Now, nothing else has much changed.  We look like we have a consensus of us getting into pattern after that of being on the edge of the freezing line.  Nothing really scarey at this point but it does look like a pain to forecast and generally seasonally chilly conditions.  Going out toward the 20th, the GFS wants to dig down cold air with some snow.  But, thats a long way out and I wouldn’t bet the ranch on that.  But, its still winter..its bound to get cold again.  So, enjoy the milder air for the first few days of the week while you can.

Donkey and Elephant Arrive! So Does Arctic Air January 15, 2009

How Did We Get To This Point?

On This Date In History: Did you ever wonder how the Democratic Party adopted the Donkey as its symbol and the Republicans got the Elephant? Well, it all goes back to the latter half of the 19th Century and a cartoonist for Harper’s Weekly named Thomas Nast. Harper’s Weekly was a political magazine that reached its zenith at the outset of the Civil War with a circulation of over 200,000. Nast was a feared and popular political cartoonist that came on board in 1862. President Lincoln’s Secretary of War was Edwin M. Stanton. Stanton is widely quoted as having said “now he belongs to the ages” at Lincoln’s deathbed upon Lincoln’s passing. The rest of what he is quoted as saying was “there lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.” I’m not sure why that part is generally lost to history except that maybe it would make the quote too long. We like short, catchy phrases in America. It’s also interesting to note that just prior to Lincoln’s death, Stanton had advocated the execution of a man named George Vaughn for spying. Lincoln instead issued Vaughn a pardon…one hour before the 16th President was assassinated.

Nast's First Use of Donkey

Anyway, Stanton was a holdover Secretary of War when Andrew Johnson took over. Remember, Johnson was a slave holding Democrat whom Lincoln put on the 1864 ticket in order to woo pro-Union Democrats. Johnson’s reconstruction policies were not in tune with the group of Republicans known as Radical Republicans. Stanton eventually openly challenged Johnson on his policies. The Republican Congress had unconstitutionally passed a law that said the President couldn’t remove a cabinet official without prior congressional approval. Johnson challenged that by firing Stanton. That action led to his impeachment, the only presidential impeachment until Bill Clinton. In both cases, neither man was convicted and removed from office. Keep in mind that impeachment proceedings are largely political and not criminal.

So, Stanton survived but he died in 1869 and I guess the Democrats continued to attack him even in death. So, cartoonist Nash created the drawing above on this date in 1870 depicting the “Copperhead” Democrats, or southern Democrats as the donkey kicking the dead lion, Stanton. The eagle on top depicts the Federal dominion over the South….it was still Reconstruction.  But, Nast was not the first to use the donkey to symbolize the Democratic Party.  It’s origins actually go back to the time of President Andrew Jackson, whose detractors referred to him as “jackass” for his sloganeering and populist platform.

Nast's First Use of Elephant

Later, toward the end of President Grant’s second term, there was talk of a third term. This flies in the face of what we’ve been taught in school that Grant was terrible. Truth is he was very popular and might have won a third term. In 1880, he came reasonably close to gaining nomination for a third term as he concluded a world tour. One of his last stops was on December 11, 1879 in Louisville. The New York Herald newspaper vigorously opposed a third term so Nast created a cartoon with a Donkey in a lion’s skin (labeled Caesarism) chasing away other small animals. Those animals were labeled as with other newspaper’s names. Going nuts in the picture is an elephant labeled “Republican Vote” and he’s perched over a deep gorge labeled as “chaos”.  Nast was not happy with what he perceived to be the Republican Party’s fear of charges that Grant was trying to become a tyrant, or another Caesar. 

For some reason, the Donkey and Elephant stuck as icons for the opposing parties. Probably due to the popularity of Nast and partly due to lack of creativity on the part of others. So, if someone sticks you with a nickname that you didn’t necessarily ask for, just remember it happened to the two political parties who have dominated the electorate since 1860. May you have such a long and prosperous life.

NAM Midday Temps Near 10 with Cold Air Still Spilling In...High Won't be Much Better

Weather Bottom Line:  Okay…I busted for a few hours.  For 4 hours we were above freezing and even made it up to the average high for the time of year of 40.  But, we quickly tumbled into the 20′s and will continue to do so.  Thursday morning lows in the mid to high single digits is pretty tough to do with winds blowing some 10-20 mph and that just shows how the depth of the cold in this airmass.  Thursday I bet we don’t get out of the lower teens.  Then Friday I still go along with a low near zero with some folks being below zero.  Friday’s highs still look like we stay in the teens but maybe the upper half of the teens.  Another little clipper comes down on Saturday and I suppose that since we got up to 40 with this one then maybe on Saturday before the clipper moves through we move to just a degree or two above freezing.  It comes through with not much moisture so don’t expect much snow.  Sunday will have a reinforcing shot of cold air but not as cold as this blob that we have now.  Mid 30′s probably on Monday and Tuesday and then the big ridge out west broadens and our temperatures start to moderate, but don’t look for a rapid warm up.  Snow lovers…sorry…the pattern just doesn’t let itself to a good snow.  Maybe next time if we can get the subtropical jetstream in the act.  There’s still time. I think we had our 10 inch snow last year in March.