Cowpens
Yesterday's date escaped me. I didn't realize it until today. Twenty one years ago yesterday I joined the Army. I didn't realize on that day that it was also the anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens, which my ancestors had fought in. That's one reason I've stuck with it all of these years. I don't see what they did as glorious, but, I have stayed in their spirit. They faced painful death, were hungry, had walked miles and were hungry. Next year i will walk that battle field.
There are terrible atrocities here. Seventeen killed in a market in Sadr City yesterday. My own Scottish Highlander ancestors boarded people up as they worshiped in their church and burned them. It was a rival Clan (I'm Clan Gunn). My Cherokee ancestors (I descend from the Middle Towns, what I refer to came from the Over Hill Towns) made a raid on their own people claiming they had made a raid on the Creeks...All for War Honors. Jerusalem was ankle deep in blood at the hands of "Christians". They were to be forgiven for their sins. Then there was the Spanish Inquisition. That was to win people to Christ. Jesus does a better job than us. So when you see the stuff over here, just think. None of what I mentioned here went unavenged or worked.
The Appalachianist
There are terrible atrocities here. Seventeen killed in a market in Sadr City yesterday. My own Scottish Highlander ancestors boarded people up as they worshiped in their church and burned them. It was a rival Clan (I'm Clan Gunn). My Cherokee ancestors (I descend from the Middle Towns, what I refer to came from the Over Hill Towns) made a raid on their own people claiming they had made a raid on the Creeks...All for War Honors. Jerusalem was ankle deep in blood at the hands of "Christians". They were to be forgiven for their sins. Then there was the Spanish Inquisition. That was to win people to Christ. Jesus does a better job than us. So when you see the stuff over here, just think. None of what I mentioned here went unavenged or worked.
The Appalachianist
posted by Hill Billy Rave | Thursday, January 18, 2007
21 Comments:
I just got in from the cold and rain of the day, and I saw your post. It is a melancholy one that just goes unanswered in the long history of man. It isn't a nice history to be sure. I know some of it there in Iraq. I watch the news as do us all. Your postings tell us you are OK. That's my politics that you and others I correspond with are ok. By the way my grandson who is so handsome is part Choctow, some German, some Scotch-Irish of the Ross clan. I took him to Cherokee to the museum and to see "Unto These Hills." It becomes all of our heritage doesn't it. I got found out to have prostate cancer on my last army phyical, so you never know who you are fighting. I was the anonymous that made that point. I think I am ok. I'm trying to get there too to a safe place. I want to walk Cowpens with you and buy you a breakfast if not at Kelly's at the Pisgah Inn. All of that all the way to the Smokies is God's country. Amen. Thanks and stay safe.
A highlander that far up in the hills? I thought most everyone over there (in the NC Mts) were Scot-Irish. I have plenty of Highland blood in me. Especially from the MacKenzies (who became McKenzies after they got over here). My upteenth Great-granddaddy fought with the Americans and died from disease and is buried nearly Columbia, SC (we should move his bones out of the lesser of the Carolinas). He must of missed Cowpens. I walked the battlefield there, years ago.
Speaking of religious horrors, I just reviewed the movie Earth which takes place along the border of India/Pakistan in 1947. Lots of killing there. It could have been different, but people get so irrational. Stay safe!
BTW, I'm scheduled to be in the Asheville (how is that you refer to it, ass-town?) area for a conference early in June, will you be back by then?
I remember your cancer, Bill. I do pray all is well for you on that. We'll do Cowpens sometime. I heard they were taring down Kelly's. I never went there much. Everyone at the Huddle House knows my name. It's God's Country alright Bill. Thanks for having the gumption to remark on this post. Notice the Ladies are silent?
Sage, me and the likes of Twister some times call it Ass'ville. It's just too darn easy too. Where I caome from we're Scott, Irish, German, Cherokee and even some Romanians threw into the mix.
You know what's funny Sage? Bill lives ear Columbia SC! Ha Ha.
People can be irrational. Fortunately, not all of us are.
And, I just may be back home in June. Inshalla.
That's a bit of time you have given the Army. Thank you.
And you are most certainly right. Jesus does a better job than us.
hugs~
a friend of mine and his wife do the recreations of battles,,that is one of the battle fields they do every year year,,it is very cool. she even makes their costumes. you would be amazed at how much detail they have to put into those..right down to the guns used and wearing new or worn clothes,,it is just unbelievable...bill, i know where you are comming from.i had surgery in 97, i was only 27 years old then..and again in 2001, i am 10 years out from my first,,a safe place..everyday, in Gods hands..
I mentioned they guy who fought for the Americans, but then there was Flora McDonald who is somehow related and who got a bunch of colonials to fight for the Brits, but most of them were defeated at the Battle of Moore's Creek and headed back into the woods afterwards. My folks come from the Sandhills of NC, which had to be about as far removed of a place my granddaddy could find from the Isle of Skye
Well, two of the ladies spoke up...Thank you, your not to be left out.
Janie it feels like the wink of a eye sometimes. Don't worry, the tax payer pays me.
Kitten recreations are pretty cool. I'm really glad your still with us. God's hands are good hands.
Sage, you must be talking about way down near Cameron those places. I drove through some heavy sleet in that town once.
Most folks don't realize that. That the Colonies were divided.
Clan Gunn, eh? Well, I've distant maternal ties to Clan Young and direct paternal ties to Clan Pentland (via the Penlands of Buncombe Co., NC). However, some consider the Pentland clan more a sept than a full clan. But one interesting thing is that the Pentland tartan resembles Clan Gunn's.
Which reminds me of a joke. A Scotsman (in kilt and all) passes out alongside the road after drinking a bit too much at the local pub. Some ladies walk by, see him laying there and decide to play a prank. One of them lifts up his kilt and ties a blue ribbon around his "willy". The Scotsman wakes up a bit later, straggers to the bushes to relieve himself after all that drink, looks at "willy" and is surprised to see a blue ribbon tied around it. He then says," I don't know where you been, laddy, but it looks like you won 1st Prize!"
That's s'posed to be "fraternal" ties to Clan Pentland, not "paternal". Sometimes my two braincells can't keep up with the 10 fingers doing the typing.
Gunner, that's pretty good...
Did I tell you they were hungry, yep, I said it twice.
Hey cutie, I was glad to see you stop by the Castle. I know it is a pain for the beta bloggers. Blogger won't let me switch yet, I have tried, but my blog is too big. I know a few other people that have had the same problem, so there are still some of us that can't switch over :(
I used to have that same problem when I tried to log into a beta blog. I used to have to log out and try it a different way. Now I just get a pop up box before and after I comment.
Hope you are being safe....take care of yourself.
~xo
I want to play too! Let's see... got Scots-Irish bloodlines. Never investigated into it though. I'm a little on the lazy and un-inquisitive side.
Been in a Toyota Highlander and on the USS Cowpens.
And I have seen "Unto These Hills". We used to vacation in Cherokee.
Lee Ann, I told you about calling me Cutie. Between you and Tomcatskitten I have a ten mile ego. Murf and Janie just like my foot apparell.
Your supposed to talk Sctch-Irish Heritage here. But, your not Scotch-Irish are you? You've got that Cowboy Cousin. I still think that is cool by the way. Oh, your not bad looking yourself.
Ed, I'm not going to say anything about your looks. I'll let God and the Ladies judge that. The Cowpens, a destroyer isn't it? Hey, you ever heard of Abernathy Alabama? We know your Scotch -Irish, we can tell. What's the name of that book? It's slipping my mind. The one by the Sec Navy.
A sept of Clan Fraser, I believe, Edward. A Pictish bunch, the guys who smeared blue clay all over themselves like in Braveheart. Barbarians and all that, except they did demonstrate a taste for fast cars and fine cigars.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hey Cutie...that is Scotch for Cutie!
I do have Scotch heritage....my mom grew up a Robertson, living in the midwest. That is the same side my cowboy cousin came from. My dad's side is England.
So I will talk the Scotch part to you....cutie! *giggle*
Actually A.I., we like more than just your foot apparel but we know your family reads this. ;)
Gunner, fine cigars and fast cars...What about guns? Gotta have guns.
My Pardon, Lee Ann. I did not mean to offend thee. Your calling me cutie again...
Yep, Murf, you got that picture of my skinny fingers hanging next to my 9mm...whoo hoo, how about that camo'ed leg...Now stop trying to flatter me and get serious. Are you Scotch Irish? Fess up!
I used to gas up in Abernathy, Alabama, so yes, I've heard of it. But the gas at the little store was so expensive I quit and just waited to get to Anniston.
Cowpens is a Cruiser, but close enough. Destroyers are named after people. Ccurrently Cruisers are named after famous battles.
James Webb. Born Fighting, How the Scots-Irish Shaped America.
That was a rather hot shot, A.I. I'm thinking about starting a calendar with all those pictures that me and Janie like of you. I bet I could sell a few. :) Do you want a percentage of the profits?
I am neither Scotch nor Irish.
Post a Comment
<< Home