Appalachian Patria

Appalachian Intellectual. To me that means plain thinking. I am A Non Commissioned Officer in the Army Reserves. Let me say...My views expressed here are mine and not those of The U.S. Army, Army Reserve or my fellow brethren in The National Guard. This is entirely Sua Sponte. This is My Thinking. I'm single and in my mid 30's. Politicaly, I'm a Libertarian. (Again, Sua Sponte.I do not represent the Libertarian Party.)I love my native Appalachia, Rock n Roll and...I love God.

Name:
Location: Brevard, North Caroilina

I started blogging for two reasons. I was concerned about the changes to the area I live in, Southern Appalachia and I was about to go to the war. I was in Iraq in 06 and 07 and now Kuwait in 11 and 12. Blogging was a means of documenting my experiences and hoping it would help gain clarity. I don't feel that way about it any more. It's said people write blogs because they are frustrated, that's why people read them too. That makes us sound apocalyptic. Are we? Let it be said, what I say here is of my own thinking. This is entirely Sua Sponte and not an official representation of the U.S. Military or the U.S. Government as a whole.

Monday, January 17, 2011

"The Brave Captain Kirkwood"

Today is the 17Th of January. You've seen every image of Martin Luther King Jr. and heard "I have a dream" sound bites all day long. You know it's Martin Luther King Jr. day. The media is not going to let you forget. If you ask me, and you just did, you read my blog, it's a bunch of silly hero worship. Don't get me wrong. I have allot of respect and admiration for the man. He was a Freedom Fighter. He was not the only one sticking up for the colored folk, allot more did. But, to carry on like all of this, it's hero worship. He was just a man trying to do the right thing. Thanks to the way everyone acts, allot of others are becoming forgotten. Allot of lessons go with them.

But, let's back up to get to the reason of this post. Today is the 17Th of January and in 1781 on this day backwoods militias and Continentals stood toe to toe with a well organized and disciplined British Legion and won. Lord Cornwallis had lost one of his flanking forces already at Kings Mountain and with Cowpens, he lost the other. Afterwards Cornwallis chased Nathanial Greene to his demise at Yorktown.



With Yorktown, the British were finally forced to admit defeat. It was something a long time coming. The Tories of New England seemed to only be with the King in spirit. The British openly talked of writing off those Colonies. The British had taken troops from where ever they could be spared and hired Germans soldiers to fight. Their Navy was stretched thin from Gilbatrar to Dominica and proving not up to the task. The French and Spanish smelled blood and were eager to help the United States. The Continental Army and Militias were becoming a more professional force and despite some humiliating defeats were managing to drain the British as they attempted to re colonize the South. It was too much for Britain. Something finally gave.



What was taking place in the backwoods of the Southern States was a brutal guerrilla warfare. South Carolina had around 800 different skirmishes. It was not pretty. Loyalists and Whigs fought bloody fights and left each others families hungry. Many of the men at Cowpens were the expendables. Young men without families to feed, widowers and the like. Many had had experience as Continental Soldiers and were serving a time in the Militia. The Continentals were far from their homes in Maryland and Delaware.



Maybe you've figured it out by now, but I went down to the Battlefield this last weekend and snapped a few pictures.

Captain Kirkwood was the Commander of the Delaware Company of Continentals. The Company was noted for their actions, as well as himself. Cpt. Kirkwood never rose further in rank and was never highly decorated. He was killed after the Revolution fighting Indians. From what I've read, he never asked for nothing.

I would say, the best book to read on the battle itself, is "A Devil Of Wipping"

Remember The Waxaws
The Appalachianist

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9 Comments:

Blogger sage said...

Was the yellow "do not cross" ribbon (in your last photo) utilized by the Americans or Brits? LOL

Several people have told me that I need to read Jimmy Carter's novel about the Revolution in the South (Hornet's Nest or something like that is the title). I haven't gotten around to read it.

2:31 PM  
Blogger Hill Billy Rave said...

Maybe the Americans used that tape to keep the cattle out of their camp. What do you think?

I've read that book. It's pretty good. I'd recommend it.

3:04 PM  
Blogger Sotamies said...

Greetings App.

I did not see an e-mail address on your blog; so, I figured I'd just ask you a question here in the comments.

What's your opinion of Hi-Point handguns?


Take care. Hooah!

4:51 PM  
Blogger Hill Billy Rave said...

It's danconwil over at citcom dot net

Honestly, Sotamies, I don't know allot about High Points.

8:40 PM  
Blogger Ramblin' Ed said...

I have pictures, both of and from the USS Cowpens, of a missile shoot somewhere in the Pacific. Pretty awesome. Can't post them in the comments here, so just imagine if you will.... "oooh, they're so bright! And FAST!!"

You're welcome.

7:55 AM  
Blogger Three Score and Ten or more said...

Haven't read the book, but I will. My whole famly is into history (some are re-enactors both of the Revolution and the Civil War.)

8:20 PM  
Blogger Gun Trash said...

Howdy, Dan. Long time no visit. At first I thought you was putting on a bit of weight there, but then realized that weren't you but some reenactors. :-)

Hi-Point? I've the 9mm carbine that I bought 12 yrs ago. A fun gun to shoot plus I've plenty of 9mm FMJ surplus to run through it. But, I've had to send it back to 'em in Ohio twice to get it fixed. Once for magazine holder falling apart (as a single shot it sucks) and other time the trigger would malfunction every other pull.

Anyway, good to see you're still kicking around, Dan.

11:21 PM  
Blogger Hill Billy Rave said...

I've not subscribed to comments, so, I've missed them as they tricked in...like the Militia at Cowpens...But, they have a mode of the USS Cowpens at the visitor center.

Well, I'm going to get a bight and go.

7:12 AM  
Blogger Hill Billy Rave said...

Model, not mode. My L key is sticking.

7:13 AM  

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