It started back on the very first day of last year and continued through to 25 February. What a hang-over I must have had, but I can't even remember it. Maybe that's a sign! Anyway today my feet are being held to the fire from as far a way as England and Massachussetts.
Anyone brave enough or dumb enough in some cases to take on the massive job of researching, collating, and then doing daily or later three times, and still later twice weekly blogs probably needs a regular pass to see his or her shrink.
With all the frustrations of doing the blog, the writer is often, though not enough, blessed with comments from readers who contribute great information and sometimes throw our feet into the fire, as needed, to tell us of yet another goof up, and I have had my share. Today I will be spending this blog making three past stories more accurate.
Anyone brave enough or dumb enough in some cases to take on the massive job of researching, collating, and then doing daily or later three times, and still later twice weekly blogs probably needs a regular pass to see his or her shrink.
With all the frustrations of doing the blog, the writer is often, though not enough, blessed with comments from readers who contribute great information and sometimes throw our feet into the fire, as needed, to tell us of yet another goof up, and I have had my share. Today I will be spending this blog making three past stories more accurate.
Even the great Abe Lincoln would tell of mistakes made and later sorted out.
In fact one of his cute errors was back in 1863 when his "few appropriate remarks" to a gathering of some 15,000 came with the caveat that...:The world would little note, nor long remember what we say here."
It's been 151 years and millions still remember most of his 272 words in one of the most famous speaches of all time... the 'Gettysburg Address."
In fact one of his cute errors was back in 1863 when his "few appropriate remarks" to a gathering of some 15,000 came with the caveat that...:The world would little note, nor long remember what we say here."
It's been 151 years and millions still remember most of his 272 words in one of the most famous speaches of all time... the 'Gettysburg Address."
ooops one involves the story of the great Toronto Ontario hero, Alexander Dunn who earned a Victoria Cross in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. He was a young officer who led a cavalry troop down what was later called the Valley of Death, made famous by the later poem. cannons of the left... cannons of the right... and they even faced cannons mounted side by side at the end of the valley.
It was a turkey shoot and he, his men and others totalling about 630 brave men were the turkeys. Most were slaughtered. Of Dunn's 110, only 25 survived.
It was a turkey shoot and he, his men and others totalling about 630 brave men were the turkeys. Most were slaughtered. Of Dunn's 110, only 25 survived.
This artists' rendition of the events have Lt Dunn in the centre and fighting off several of the enemy who were attacking one of the friendly forces already driven from his horse.
This of course happened after they had ridden through the Valley of death, still survived and then faced yet more enemy in the form of mounted troops.
This of course happened after they had ridden through the Valley of death, still survived and then faced yet more enemy in the form of mounted troops.
The cannons at the end of the valley may have been beyond the bottom right of this image.
Note the massive amount of cannon balls lying all along the road.
The image was taken very soon after the battle.
Alexander Dunn was the only officer in the charge that was later awarded with the Victoria Cross. In my blog, as titled above, I mentioned that his was the only VC in the charge. This was wrong. His was the only officer VC, and that is what I meant to say, but a sharp reader named Mike noted that there were others...they just were not officers. And he is correct.
There were at last 9 VC's awarded for the charge. Dunn's above, plus Private Samuel Parkes, Sergeants Henry Ramage, Joseph Malone and John Farrell, Surgeon James Mouat. and Sgt. Major's Charles Wooden, John Grieve and John Berryman.
You can have a read or a second re-read of the original story by clicking on this link... http://www.canadianmedalofhonor.com/1/post/2013/02/only-one-victoria-cross-awarded-in-charge-of-light-brigade-and-it-went-to-a-canadian.html
ooops two involves hero Phillip Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient for his bravery in the front of the Redan, during the battle at Sevastopol in June of 1855.
Many web sites note that Phillips 2nd given name was Felix, but no so according to Steve, a decendant, and reader of my earlier blog on Smith. I was also told that regardless of many internet notes re a birth at Dublin or County Armaugh, Phillip actually came from Lurgan, near Virginbia, co. co. Cavan, Ireland.
Many web sites note that Phillips 2nd given name was Felix, but no so according to Steve, a decendant, and reader of my earlier blog on Smith. I was also told that regardless of many internet notes re a birth at Dublin or County Armaugh, Phillip actually came from Lurgan, near Virginbia, co. co. Cavan, Ireland.
Smith is depicted here carrying one of the many wounded from the Redan. The artist is the famed Terrence Cuneo, British born, who made a name for himself with art work in oils of the many railways, military, horses and portraits of many famous personalities of his day.
Steve, the above noted relative, also points out that my blog told of the story of Smith being presented his Victoria Cross in Canada. But he adds that I got the location wrong. And this, again a slip on my part, had the citadel presentation back in 1857 at Montreal when clearly, the major parade and presentation, one of very few in Canada, actually took place at Quebec city.
Steve, the above noted relative, also points out that my blog told of the story of Smith being presented his Victoria Cross in Canada. But he adds that I got the location wrong. And this, again a slip on my part, had the citadel presentation back in 1857 at Montreal when clearly, the major parade and presentation, one of very few in Canada, actually took place at Quebec city.
You can read, or re-read the story of Acting Sgt. Smith by going to ... http://www.canadianmedalofhonor.com/1/post/2013/01/the-first-victoria-cross-to-come-to-canada.html
ooops three involves yet another slip-up on my part. A year ago I brought you a blog about Colonel Morgan who was so highly thought of that the US government named a current war base after him.
Col. Morgan was serving in the Cavalry and took part in the several hour battle with the natives in what became known as the Battle of Big Dry Wash, near a place called Happy Jack, Arizona, back in the late 1800's
My mistake was in hitting the wrong key on that ever changing keyboard and typing in that the battle occurred during Civil War days of 1862 when in fact it was in July of 1882. I knew that, but the keyboard yet again failed to read my mind properly.
A sharp reader by the name of Drew sent me a note probably wishing I'd ditch my keyboard, but being nice and simply noting the date was 20 years off the mark. Sorry folks.
Col. Morgan was serving in the Cavalry and took part in the several hour battle with the natives in what became known as the Battle of Big Dry Wash, near a place called Happy Jack, Arizona, back in the late 1800's
My mistake was in hitting the wrong key on that ever changing keyboard and typing in that the battle occurred during Civil War days of 1862 when in fact it was in July of 1882. I knew that, but the keyboard yet again failed to read my mind properly.
A sharp reader by the name of Drew sent me a note probably wishing I'd ditch my keyboard, but being nice and simply noting the date was 20 years off the mark. Sorry folks.
Here is the title of the Morgan blog. It can be read for the first time... or re-read by going to this link ...
www.canadianmedalofhonor.com/1/post/2013/01/it-took-the-bullet-65-12-years-to-do-the-job.html
NOTE: With all joking aside, I truly do appreciate hearing from my readers and, when I go astray, being led back on the right path. I trust I am getting these stories, now over 250 of them, more right than wrong.
The website has new enjoyed well over 100,000 hits and I do very much appreciate your following me along this fascinating journey with regards to those from Canada, or with connections to Canada that have earned either the Medal of Honor of the Victoria Cross. I believe there is no other source dedicated specifically to this cause.
The more we write, and correct as we go, the more we do in helping to preserve the memories of these true heroes.
Please keep your comments coming.
Bart
www.canadianmedalofhonor.com/1/post/2013/01/it-took-the-bullet-65-12-years-to-do-the-job.html
NOTE: With all joking aside, I truly do appreciate hearing from my readers and, when I go astray, being led back on the right path. I trust I am getting these stories, now over 250 of them, more right than wrong.
The website has new enjoyed well over 100,000 hits and I do very much appreciate your following me along this fascinating journey with regards to those from Canada, or with connections to Canada that have earned either the Medal of Honor of the Victoria Cross. I believe there is no other source dedicated specifically to this cause.
The more we write, and correct as we go, the more we do in helping to preserve the memories of these true heroes.
Please keep your comments coming.
Bart
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