Daily Blog

Here are a few more Civil War updates.

5/31/2015

In last week's blog I brought you some updates about hero Alonzo Cushing's Civil War medal. After decades of advocating for the awarding of this medal, the President agreed and made the award recently. Difficulties in who should actually take possession of it delayed matters until a descendant finally was selected and Alonzo's Medal of Honor was presented at the White House. It shall see several temporary homes until finally making it's new home at the famous Gettysburg National Military Park facilities. There it is will be put on permanent display for the millions that arrive annually to see the famous battlefields where so many thousands fought and died in a few short days of July 1863.

In that blog I mentioned that Alonzo had three brothers who also fought in the Civil War. Brother William had 5 warships named in his honour. One of these vessels lost an officer, who was swept overboard during the Spanish American War. Last week I told of how Ontario born sailor John Everetts and another fellow from the ship were awarded Medals of Honor for attempts to save that officer.

Well, on the same theme, I want to share another interesting fact. Howard was another one of Alonzo's brothers. After CW service he went on to join another outfit and fought during the Indian Uprisings. Still as a Lieutenant, he was then in the 3rd US Cavalry. Like Alonzo, he would also be killed in battle. After the Chiricahua Apache violated a winter truce, Howard commanded 22 men sent out to deal with the matter. It was in May of 1871 when he and his men were travelling in the area of the Whetstone Mountains of Arizona when they were ambushed. Several men were killed in short order, Howard being one of these. The bravery of his troops was later recognized by the President by the awarding of five medals of Honor. One of these came to Canadian John Kilmartin (AKA Gilmartin) who was born in Montreal.

Years earlier, when soldiering in the Civil War, Howard was again a Lieutenant and serving in Battery H of the 4th US Artillery whilst his brother Alonzo was in Battery A.

Like many regiments of the day, the 4th consisted of about 12 batteries..or companies. At any given time one or more companies could be sent off in different directions. Between May of 1862 and September of 1863 Howard's company did honourable service in many skirmishes and major battles that played significant roles in the tides of the war. He'd fight in the siege of the town of Corinth Mississippi in May 1862, the Battle of Perryville Kentucky in October 62, the Battle of Stones River Tennessee in Dec 62, The Tullahoma Campaign in Tennessee in June and first few days of July 1863, (whist Gettysburg Battle fought) the Battle of Chickamauga Georgia in Sept 63, and back into Tennessee for the Siege of Chatanooga in August of 1863.

I have zeroed in on this service and these dates for a specific reason. It was just a few days ago that I learned that one of the Canadian Medal of Honor recipients (in 8th Cavalry during Indian Uprisings of 1868) also served in this very company with Howard during these dates. This was George Wortman of New Brunswick, covered in several blogs in the space in the past. It was well known that George served in the CW but not well known at all with whom, where or when.

Last week I discovered evidence that George was in the 4th from April 15 1862 until his term was up 3 yrs later... in April of 1865, and thus the mention of above activity between those periods.

But the interesting point is that he did not serve under his name. His enlistment papers show an enlistment under the name... George WORKMAN. Be this on purpose or just sloppy intake is up for debate at this point.

Thus, any CW searches for him under WORTMAN came up empty handed. Though some appear for a direct relative George W Wortman.

Still more updates again next week.
Bart

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Americans continue to keep Civil War tragedies... and heroes emerging from that terrible chapter of US history... alive to this day!

5/24/2015

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I wanted to bring you some updates a week ago about these matters, but life once again got in the way.

Much has been said in this space over the past 2 years and more about actions during the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the Philipines, the two Great Wars, Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere. Today I want to bring an update that had it's start back in the 1860's in the US.

It involves a little village in the east of just a few thousand population. Over a few days it would grow a little. Actually a lot! To over 150,000. It was little known then. Today the name Gettysburg is known around the world. And so it should for many reasons, not the least of which many countries..including Canada, had many who fought there, many shedding blood and some even still there at rest after dying in one of the numerous battles over three days of hell in July of 1863. When you add up all the dead from both sides, almost 1 in 3 in battles over the 3 days, over 51,000 would not survive. And this is not believed to include later deaths from wounds, disease etc.

Twenty two year old Alonzo Cushing from Delafield Wisconsin was one of these who was killed in action. Regular readers of this blog have read much about him in this space.

Alonzo graduated from West Point in 1861, and is shown in his cadet uniform at the left. He appears as a young Lieutenant in the centre. Alonzo was in the 4th US Artillery and commended a battery of six guns during the famous charge of General George Pickett. Some 13,000 or more Confederates had charged along a one mile stretch to the front center, left and right of the Union troops. In the middle of those troops stood Alonzo and his brave crew. Most were killed and all but one cannon put out of action. Given permission, he moved his piece further forward and was wounded quite seriously twice but refused to leave the line, continuing to shout orders. When the enemy reached within yards of his lone gun position, he was shot in the head and instantly died. Other than a handful, the Confederates were repulsed and saved the day, and many say the actions were the start of the end of the war for the Southerners.

Twenty years after the battle an artist painted a massive cyclorama of the historic battle, shown at above right, and it is now on display at Gettysburg. Alonzo is shown at the centre appearing to lean against his cannon.

Millions have visited Gettysburg as have I, and stood in this very position that shows several Union cannons facing in the direction of the advancing Southerners. The large marker at the centre is what is often called the high water mark. This refers to the very position that was the closest the enemy advanced on the Union forces before being driven back. The small marker at the right marks the spot were Alonzo Cushing gave his all.

If you dig into the story of Alonzo Cushing you quickly see that his actions ought to have resulted in the awarding of a Medal of Honor, albeit, a posthumous one. But this did not happen during CW days. It appears that the reason it didn't is because his superiors promoted him on the spot...after death... to the brevet rank of Lt. Colonel. They then left it at that. They could have chosen to make the required formal recomendation for the MOH but for whatever reason they did not do so. Some silly news stories suggest that he could not get a medal because he was killed. Homework would have shown upwards of 30 or more posthumous medals in CW days including to a few Canadians.

Many years ago a woman living on the original Cushing homestead lands discovered the historical importance of this man's actions and set about contacting politicans of the day to see if steps could be taken to finally recognize the bravery and awarding the MOH.

After many years of advocating for the medal it was announced last year that the hard work paid off for Mrs. Margaret Zenwekh, 90 years of age. The President announced that he would be making the award to Cushing. But then the problem arose..who should get it as no know relatives were thought to be still living.

The army said it would take the medal and find a suitable home. Then a very distant relative steped forward. And finally a closer..yet still distant cousin by the name of Helen Loring Ensign came forward to accept the award on behalf of Alonzo Cushing.

Shown at the left and above is Margaret, and below her is of course Presidernt Obama presenting the MOH at the White House to Helen.

The family have been most gracious in loaning the medal out to Cushing's old school... the St. John's Northwestern Military Academy briefly. This weekend it was on loan for the Memorial Day services to City Hall, at Delafield where the hero and family once lived, and soon it will be making its home back at Gettysburg at their famous National Military Park, a place and locality well worth the visit for any interested in their heritage and military history.

Before switching topics, the reader should know that the Cushing family produced three other brothers that fought in the Civil War and later. One famous brother was none other than Lt William B Cushing, famous for sinking the Confederate CSS Albemarlie, and another... Howard who after the war was killed during the Indian uprisings.

Brother William had 5 US war ships named in his honour. Not many had that distinction. One, a Canadian, by the name of Sam Preston had 6, but that is a story still needing more telling.

This is one of the "Cushings". It saw sevice in the 1890's and was the first navy steel hulled vessel. It was also the only ship of the day in the US Navy that fired self propelled Howell torpedoes.

During the Cuban hostillities of 1898 the ship was in their waters when a large wave rolled across the deck and swept an officer overboard. Life preservers were tossed out to save the man but he could not reach them.

A life boat was then lowered and two men rowed towards the officer but the boat collapsed and they had to swim for their own lives. The officer was lost but the two were saved. One of these was Ontario born John Everetts. Both were later awarded the Medal of Honor.

Another update is sitting on my desk to bring to you next Sunday. It involves a CW story as well known as that of Gettysburg. Hope to see you then.

Bart

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Long week-ends are for relaxation

5/17/2015

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This week's Sunday blog will appear on Tuesday the 19th, due to the long week-end in Canada.
cheers,
Bart

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Still more Plaques and Paving Stones and Monuments in honour of the Canadian Victoria Cross recipients!

5/10/2015

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Many months ago I started to bring you some stories on how the British Government were taking the opportunity of the 100th anniversary of WWl to commemorate the troops. They were to also highlight the heroism of those brave men who earned the Victoria Cross during that war. Blogs told of the public dismay when only certain recipients would be honoured while almost 150 recipients were to be falling through the cracks due to the selection process proposed. The pubic of course were up in arms and soon the government was forced to rethink the project. After all the hooplaw was sorted out a decision to make Paving Stones honouring all WW1 recipients was made. These would be unveiled within Britain on the 100th anniversary of the very day that resulted in each award... and in the communities they were born or raised in. Thirteen plaques were also made that listed multiple names from 13 countries around the world were recipients came from. Each country later received their plaques listing their country's recipients.

The late Lt. Colonel Phillip Bent, born at Halifax Nova Scotia was one of the originals to slip through the cracks, but later added to a plaque that was sent to Ottawa and unveiled by a Royal Family member last November. It was duly noted in this space.

It was a powerful group who advocated for Bent's inclusion in the program along with many others. Other groups joined the advocacy and when all was said and done, about 145 new names were added to this most honourable list of heroes.

Philip Bent moved to England as a youth, served with the Navy as a cadet at first, then the Merchant Navy and final he joined the Army when war was declared. He rose throught the ranks very quickly and took temporary command of one of the Batallions of a Regiment near Polygon Wood in Belgium. When friendly foces to his right were pushed back, his quick action in rallying the troops and pushing forward resulted in keeping the enemy in check. But Bent, then an acting Lt. Colonel and only at the age of 26, was shot and killed leading the charge. For this he was awarded posthumously with the Victoria Cross. He had already been awarded a DSO.

His image appears above. His body was never recovered but his name was added to about 35,000 other's listed who's graves were never found. The Tyne Cot Memorial, shown above is in Belgium and very close to the farthest point into the country that the Allies advanced.

A few blogs ago I also told of the unveiling of 145 paving stones in Britain in one place... the National Memorial Arboretum at Staffordshire. Several of these stones honour Canadians... including Philp Bent.

Cecil Kinross, at left, was born in Britain and by age 16 moved with family to Alberta. Soon after he joined up with the army and it was during fighting at Passhendaele that this private stood up in broad daylight, and charged an enemy Machine Gun positon killing its 6 man crew and destroying their weapon. His fellow troopers were so pumped up they charged forward and captured another 300 yards of enemy territory. King George would pin the VC to his chest less than 6 months later at Buckingham Palace.

While the paving stone project called for an unveiling on the 100th anniversary of the deed, his paving stone, as shown at left, was unveiled by the Hillingdon Council in England last month.

Another Paving Stone unveiled last month in Britain was in honour of the Irishman Fred Hall who moved to Canada and lived on Pine Street. He and fellow recipients Robert Shankland and Leo Clarke all lived on Pine Street in Winnipeg... and within the same block. Probably the only such occurence in the entire VC world of recipients. Back in 1925 the street was renamed Valour Road in their honour.

Hall, pictured above, moved to Canada at about the age of 25, and joined up with the Canadian Forces when the Great War started. It would be during the 2nd Battle in Ypres in 1915 that Hall, as a Sergeant Major crawled out twice to recover the wounded. The following morning in broad daylight he again went out to recover a wounded man under very heavy fire. He got to the fellow and raised him up to bring him to safety when both were shot and killed. He was later awarded a VC posthumously.

In late April of this year Mayor Councillor Geoff Pearl of St Helens was present at Victoria Square where he is shown above kneeling next to the Paving Stone unveiled in honour of Fred Hall.

In late April a news announcement in England told how the Durham Light Infantry Museum and the Durham Art Gallery are holding a display... paving stones for several VC recipients that will be errected and unveiled in the future. One of these is honouring British born George McKean. After his parents died George came to Canada to visit with a brother. He was here when the war started and so he decided to join up with a Canadian unit and went off to war.

It would be near Vimy that Lt. McKean, shown at left above, on his own, captured an enemy trench, killed several of the enemy, leaped into another, killed 2 and captured four, and drove the rest into a dugout which he then destroyed. For this he was awarded with the VC, and by war's end would also have the MC and MM. It is expected that later this month County Durham will unveil the paving stone in his honour.

Yet another press release told of about 100 Canadian soldiers and others that gathered at London in mid April to conduct a ceremony in honour of WWl veterans of the Calgary Highlanders and the Canadian Scottish who fought at St. Julien and Kitchener's Woods. Attending the rememberance were several digintaries including the Royal Family member who is the Colonel in Chief of the Canadian Scottish, their honorary Colonel and also His Excellency Gordon Campbell, Canada's High Commissioner to Britain and a former BC Premiere. The toops were also to travel to some of the battlefields of both units in Europe, lay wreaths and conduct ceremonies honoring men like Colonel Cy Peck of the Canadian Scottish, Captain Hutcheson of the foreunner of the Toronto Sottish, (center picture) and William Metcalfe also of the Canadian Scottish. All three are VC recipients. The later two are two of the 6 Americans who earned the VC, four being in the CF and also earning their VC's in WWl.

On a closing note, just yesterday a ten year project finally came to fruition at Edmonton Alberta.
The Victoria Cross Memorial Society unveiled their monument that lists and honours all Canadian Victoria Cross recpients by name, unit and conflict.

There is little on the net about this so far but watch for news re the event.

They note that their project is the first of its kind in Canada. But I beleive they are forgetting the great work done at Barrie Ontario that was unveiled back in October 2013, and covered in this space. Images of the later are at right, above.

Regardless, congratulations to all that assisted in getting this new monument created and unveiled. There is always room for more of these in Canada.

Cheers till next week,
Bart

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No matter how big the gun, if your powder is wet, your gun is probably useless!

5/4/2015

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Back in Civil War days, this cliche was proven many times.

But we are now coming up to the end of a five year period of remembrance of the horrible costs that war took on the United States. It also involved many dozens of countries around the world, including Canada, that supplied tens of thousands, many becoming cannon-foder in that time of massive destruction.

Today I want to adress an unpleasant and uncalled for attack on this blog, The attacker used his wet ammunition, if you will, and shall find that the attacked can also become the attacker.

Today's blog will first start on a more positive note.

A few weeks back I brought you a wonderful story, probably completely unmentioned in the Canadian press from coast to coast. It was a story about buses in Gloucestershire England. A transit organization called Stagecoach West, the local head of the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum joined forces to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Great War. In doing so they decided to focus on the men and women of the Gloucestershire Regiment, and acknowledge the service of this regiment, and its forerunners, in 12 centuries of service to the British Empire and the free world.

Nine buses were selected for the project. Each had a plaque on the outside, a much larger one of the inside and brochures to give all customers about the Regiment's World War l, eight Victoria Cross and one George Cross recipients.

My interest in the project was because of a Canadian connection to the story that we at home should be aware of and appreciate. This of course was that one of the heroes being honoured was a Canadian. He was the Perth Ontario born Herbert Taylor Reade who was awarded the Victoria Cross before Canada even was a dominion. His VC would be Canada's 2nd VC ever, and was earned for bravery at the Siege of Delhi during the Indian Mutiny in 1857. Canada's first VC went of course to another Ontario man by the name of Alexander Dunn. His actions were in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava in 1854. His VC would be the only VC awarded to any officer of that battle.

I ended that blog noting that I would be talking about HT Reade in the next blog. I later discovered that I already brought you his story, so it will not be repeated today. It can be re-read by going here...

http://www.canadianmedalofhonor.com/wednesday-and-friday-blogs/follows-fathers-footsteps-leads-way-for-younger-brother-and-is-awarded-thevictoria-cross

Now onto another matter of a different tone!

A few other matters kept me from doing my blog last Sunday the 26th. But on that very day a Captain in the Canadian Forces decided he would use his military email, provide his name and title, and, perhaps from home on a Sunday, sat down to use his miltary email to send a most disturbing criticism of a blog I wrote TWENTY MONTHS AGO. That blog can be read at...

http://www.canadianmedalofhonor.com/wednesday-and-friday-blogs/there-is-still-time-to-take-action-please-support-this-blog-by-taking-a-few-minutes-to-take-action

The blog remains the same as written back on 21 August 2013, with three exceptions. First, a date of 9 September was corrected to read 3 September, a reference to WW1 was corrected to read WW11, and the use of the initials WLNS were corrected to read WRCNS. These silly mistakes were corrected as a result of the email I received.

At the end of each blog appears a link to click on should the reader wish to send along some thoughts, and even corrections. A private email address is also given on the site should the writer wish that his or her views not be published on the site. Use of the link below results in publishing, if I approve the contents being forwarded.

These links and the email address have been very helpful in bringing further info to my attention and comments about my work, including where corrections are needed. For example, my spelling is often not what it ought to be. Sometimes I get dates wrong. Sometimes names are mispelled. But there is an old saying that to create an omelette you have to crack a few eggs. Mistakes happen! They get corrected when brought to my attention.

But the nature of the email I received was unfair, heavy handed and to be honest, insulting. Being sent by way of the comment section, raher than in a private email further raises the question... was it done as part of an agenda to cause further grief in a very public manner? I'll let you be the judge.

Because of the offensive overtone and unfair criticism, I thought I would not publish the email. But on second thought, lest this junior officer thinks I am avoiding the points he raised, I will chop his email up into 6 areas of concern on his part, with my comments to follow. I have chosen not to use his name or the service he represents. I have the utmost respect for all of the Cdn. forces, today and in days past. Identifying this individual or his branch may lead to ill will towards both. I wish neither, though do not intend to allow the attack to go unnoticed.

You'd best get a coffea and sit back. This will take a little while and I hope you will indulge me.

First issue:        Here is the first line of the email.... "Your S.S. Athenia article. She was torpedoed on 3 September 1939, not on 9 September."

The first sentence does not make sense. It has a subject yet no verb, normal requirements of sentence construction. Can we not expect that at the very least, an officer in the CF can write basic sentences? Grammar aside, the officer is correct in noting that I said the sinking took place of the 9th, when it was actually the 3rd. This was a slip-up on my part and I knew at the time that the event was on the 9th. It slipped through my editing by mistake... unchallenged.

Second issue:        The officer's next line reads... " It was WW2 not WW1."

My blog mentioned WWl twice. Once at the end on an unrelated matter. And once in the middle when I slipped up again, and did not pick it up at editing. It said that one of the two women I was writing about ..."would later be declared the first women (sp) in service in WW1 to perish at the hands of the enemy."

In the 2013 blog I repeatedly made references that were obviously about WWll. In fact the portion of the blog dealing with all these issues started with the statement that the two women I was speaking about... "were among the FIRST CANADIANS KILLED IN WWII." Note the ORIGINAL capitals from the blog. Yet later in the article I erroneously said it was WWl rather than WWll.

A careful examination before firing off with wet ammunition, would have revealed a silly slip up but that the writer clearly knew from elsewhere in the blog that the events were in the second and not the first war. Yet the criticism was unfair in not only reconizing, by admitting this is the caustic email forwarded. Had he spent any time on the site he would have also seen two photo's one of the grave of one of the women and the other a plaque containing the 2nd woman's name. And in both the dates of Wll are most clear in the images. So the criticism is nothing short of heavy handed, uncalled for and unfair.

Third issue:        The officer's next line reads... "Canada did not declare war on Nazi Germany the next day, but on 10 September."

I knew that war was declared by us on the 10th of September. As I was writing the blog I looked at the wrong sinking day..9 September, and just added a day to say we went to war the next day. Makes sense I'd say! But evidence that I knew we went to war on the 10th was right in the very article which also gave that very date. But the eye's of the hawk of this officer who was looking for mistakes, clearly either did not see that sentence, or worse yet possibly ignored it as it did not boister his rants.

Fourth issue:        His email continues with... "If you're going to operate a "Canadian Medal of Honor" site, you should at least try to get the basic facts straight."

There is no need to pose the question about the continuation of the blog. Anyone with an intellect beyond that of a jar of peanut butter ought to be able to figure that one out!

Having provided the explanations above, I would like to note that I have been researching the Canadian recipients of the Medal of Honor for some 15 years. Over the recent past I have expanded this to include a long time interest in the Victoria Cross recipients from Canada, or connected to Canada. I have been often reminded that my slant on my MOH research and subsequent activities is well known, respected ...and I would add... probably unequalled... anywhere in North America.

In doing this work, completely on a volunteer and unpaid basis, I have travelled some 40,000 km plus, spent possibly in the area of $20,000, and handled thousands of in and outbound emails on the subjects at hand. Some of these efforts have been covered in over 300 stories in this space. For about the first year..incuding 20 months ago, I was writing a blog almost daily. The "offending" blog was about my 175th at the time. Few daily newspapers carry daily columns from the same writers. Paid ones at that.

I wonder what comparable service this officer can put on the table..work done for free, and in fact at high costs personally to boot!

I have received many words of appreciation over the years from many officers far superior to this junior officer. Words of thanks have come from Admirals and Generals and Colonels and most other ranks right down to the front line soldiers, sailors, airmen and coastguard members. Politicians at the municipal level, cabinet ministers at the provincial and federal level and even two ambassadors have shown me their appreciating for the work I do.

One would think that having said all of this, I would be entitled to more respect from this serving member of our forces. Had I still been wearing my uniform as a Master Warrant Officer at this time, I can assure him and all readers that this officer's remarks would form the basis of a Redress of Grievance in the military with him at the wrong end. And having taught the subject to over 500 young officers and literally played a major role in the expansion of Redress Rights of serving and some former serving members AROUND THE WORLD I'll add I know a little about the subject.

Lecture 101 is almost over Captain!

Fifth issue:        The officer's critcism continued with...   "A grade school child could find these out."

This year marks the 50th anniversary of my joining the CF. I suspect that this officer was not even born then. Having said as much, no doubt his passing through grade school was a more recent experience than mine. However the reference to my work being below that of grade school student is chilling. The overall criticism, whilst making a few good points, is one made without taking the entire article into context. Thus a refrence to three self explained errors ought not to have resulted in such a condemnation of the entire piece.

The insulting comparison is more disturbing, not from whom it comes, but upon a reflection of that member's possible worth as a spokesman for the CF. While his graders are perhaps not as able as he to grasp the concepts of fairness and professionalism, his duty is to do just that and to treat members of the public with some respect. His own training has presumably exposed him to the expectation of cautioning when criticism is curt, and why these fall far below the accepted standards of behaviour for members of the CF, and in particular, those who are supposed to lead rather than follow. The CODE of PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FOR CF PERSONNEL and the DND and CF Codes of Values and Ethics contain guidelines he should be familiar with. His email evidences the need for some retraining and subsequent performance monitoring.

Sixth issue:        Finally I shall end with a win for the officer. He manged to find yet another error. I was making a reference to the women of the navy in WW11. Somehow the initials WRCNS became WLNS.

Again sloppy editing on my part, but great for the officer who managed to have the time, perhaps yet again maybe on our tax dollar, to determine that the WLNS was a US news Outlet.

I wonder if any of them used to be in the CF! Tens of thousands of Americans did serve with Canadian units... in BOTH world wars.

hehe

Thanks for your tolerance with this rant.

I remain a very stong supporter to our forces, past and present and will continue to bring you stories of this proud heritage, despite attempts to disrail along the way.

Bart Armstrong, CD, MWO (Ret.)

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computer problems prevent publishing today's blog till tomorrow. Sorry folks!

5/3/2015

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Here are a few more Civil War updates.

Americans continue to keep Civil War tragedies... and heroes emerging from that terrible chapter of US history... alive to this day!

Long week-ends are for relaxation

Still more Plaques and Paving Stones and Monuments in honour of the Canadian Victoria Cross recipients!

No matter how big the gun, if your powder is wet, your gun is probably useless!

computer problems prevent publishing today's blog till tomorrow. Sorry folks!

Author;

Bart Armstrong

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Categories

Here are a few more Civil War updates.

Americans continue to keep Civil War tragedies... and heroes emerging from that terrible chapter of US history... alive to this day!

Long week-ends are for relaxation

Still more Plaques and Paving Stones and Monuments in honour of the Canadian Victoria Cross recipients!

No matter how big the gun, if your powder is wet, your gun is probably useless!

computer problems prevent publishing today's blog till tomorrow. Sorry folks!

Author; Bart Armstrong

Archives

Categories

Author;

Bart Armstrong