tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post3176310711986280183..comments2024-03-29T05:28:17.263-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: Up the Long Slope (Again)OldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-70168872191654558632018-01-29T15:29:38.923-08:002018-01-29T15:29:38.923-08:00As you know, the terrain around Boston has changed...As you know, the terrain around Boston has changed a great deal since 1775. One can walk to Breed's Hill from Boston, back then it required boats. Now that being said, I'm sure the Royal Navy could have moved ships forward to cut the neck of the peninsula upon which the colonial positions and Charles Town lay. However, I'm not all that sure if ships could be moved up the Charles River (south of the peninsula) and the Mystic River (north of the peninsula) close enough to effectively interdict supplies.<br /><br />At nightfall the colonials could have escaped. While possible yes, I do think the British wanted the thing done and over with as quickly as possible. But then after the battle they just sat there in Boston while Henry Knox brought artillery down from Ticonderoga. Once emplaced on the Dorchester Heights, the British position in Boston became untenable.<br /><br />Fascinating though to look at all the "what ifs." OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-57277694036324059842018-01-29T13:12:33.276-08:002018-01-29T13:12:33.276-08:00No no. I'm thinking it would be over in about ...No no. I'm thinking it would be over in about 36 hours. Blockade is a well known tactic and it takes a real fanatic to stand around perishing of hunger and thirst. :)HMS Defianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024721130102173694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-82770455534802519522018-01-28T15:19:47.742-08:002018-01-28T15:19:47.742-08:00The 2nd was, and remains, a key component of our f...The 2nd was, and remains, a key component of our freedom. Lose that and the government can do whatever it wants.<br /><br />Interesting thought about the British just doing nothing. I don't think Parliament would have accepted that as a strategy. They had to put the rebellion down quickly, they had no idea what was starting in New England. Like the second video said, it was more than a rebellion, it was a war.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-86576138059600321242018-01-28T14:25:24.951-08:002018-01-28T14:25:24.951-08:00A dismal number of people have no idea why the 2nd...A dismal number of people have no idea why the 2nd amendment placed so highly with the men at the Constitutional Convention. it was this, the first battle of the Revolutionary War, that demonstrated that a well armed militia with weapons similar to military weapons can overthrow any tyranny if brave men stand behind the weapons and stand up and fight for freedom. It's amazing how many people lost sight of that over the years.<br /><br />Ever wonder what would have happened if the British had merely held the field without charging until the minutemen got all hungry and thirsty and started to wander away?HMS Defianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024721130102173694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-73243985475552367092018-01-28T12:35:05.906-08:002018-01-28T12:35:05.906-08:00Thanks L.J.!Thanks L.J.!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-73617430660959291682018-01-28T12:18:18.878-08:002018-01-28T12:18:18.878-08:00Great post and an excellent link to Angry Staff of...Great post and an excellent link to Angry Staff officer. Two enjoyable - and sobering - reads. <br /><br />/<br />L.J.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-52567070531714164402018-01-28T11:21:18.375-08:002018-01-28T11:21:18.375-08:00I could not find the artist for that painting, mos...I could not find the artist for that painting, most frustrating as it is a nice work.<br /><br />Sometimes a tactical loss sets the stage for future success. The Brits avoided frontal assaults against ready, entrenched colonists for the remainder of the war. Forty percent casualties is appalling in any era!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-13271705507398225312018-01-28T10:57:20.425-08:002018-01-28T10:57:20.425-08:00I grew up reading the American Heritage magazines ...I grew up reading the American Heritage magazines and hard-cover versions, and Howard Pyle's works were used quite a bit. I have always found his work to be stunning. If it was a country scene I would call it gorgeous. But too much death and stink comes out of his works. Stunning is the best. As if you were there. Full of horrible movement. Especially that painting above. One could almost call it "Juggernaut" for that was what the British forces were that hot, nasty day.<br /><br />Turnbull's works are too static, too poised. Very old fashioned, but that was the style of the time.<br /><br />Troiani's work matches Pyle's. A new artist to consider.<br /><br />And the fourth painting, excellent. Wish I knew the artist.<br /><br />Thanks for rerunning this one. Breeds/Bunker Hill was one of those tactical losses that resulted in a strategic victory. Very important to the formation of our country.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-48433159331716365192018-01-28T10:22:40.163-08:002018-01-28T10:22:40.163-08:00I try to go back and pick older posts that I reall...I try to go back and pick older posts that I really liked, glad you liked it too!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-91406156498163863512018-01-28T10:21:47.516-08:002018-01-28T10:21:47.516-08:00Well put WSF. Without logistical support, no battl...Well put WSF. Without logistical support, no battle can be won.<br /><br />There was ample bravery on both sides that day.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-79963443542611123692018-01-28T10:07:28.195-08:002018-01-28T10:07:28.195-08:00Thanks for reposting this, I missed it the first t...Thanks for reposting this, I missed it the first time around.<br /><br />Thanks for the post.<br />Paul L. QuandtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-13766859571027361812018-01-28T06:47:36.401-08:002018-01-28T06:47:36.401-08:00"As the crest is reached the rebel fire is de...<br />"As the crest is reached the rebel fire is desultory and sporadic. Here and there another redcoat collapses to the blood soaked earth. But the men realize, the rebels are falling back, they are not firing. They are out of ammunition!"<br /><br />"Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics."<br />- Gen. Robert H. Barrow, USMC (Commandant of the Marine Corps) noted in 1980<br /><br />Amazing those brave men. The rebels holding the crest against the best professional soldiers of the era. The professional soldiers pressing an attack. In the end, the professionals prevailed. <br /><br /><br />Well Seasoned Foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16670165728759453075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-77213703945441647392018-01-28T06:40:48.327-08:002018-01-28T06:40:48.327-08:00Yes, Mr. Troiani is a master.
The British soldier...Yes, Mr. Troiani is a master.<br /><br />The British soldier was a tough customer! (Still is!)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-32214770146227260682018-01-28T05:26:19.002-08:002018-01-28T05:26:19.002-08:00Don Troiani works mesmerize me. Excellent post Sar...Don Troiani works mesmerize me. Excellent post Sarge, first reading of that article from The Angry Staff Officer, another blog I'll have to search through now. Getting shot from a .75 caliber weapon at 40 to 70 yards gives me the heebie jeebies let alone massed fire at those ranges. Gawd, the resolve those men had!Nylon12noreply@blogger.com