RE: They Risk Upsetting The Bulk of Their Customer Base
June 23, 2015 at 11:35 am
(This post was last modified: June 23, 2015 at 11:44 am by The Grand Nudger.)
Pretty much. At the time, however, if you saw that flag coming over the hill you wouldn't think "Here comes the Confederacy" you'd think "Here comes Lee". A -slightly- more intimidating prospect in it's specificity. A more interested and less polemic investigation of the man who flew that flag, or rather commanded the forces that flew it, and what it represented might reveal some surprising details. Lee thought that succession was a bad idea, but conceded that it had been democratically decided upon. He resigned his commission (with what would be The Union), and assumed command of North Virginias troops. Had virginia decided to declare for the Union.......he woul;d have as well (we have his words to that effect and no reason to doubt them). He had a very pessimistic view of the Confederacy, and he didn't seem to be very proud of his own achievements....a letter to his wife, advising her to find joy in her life by doing good reads:
The confederacy needed commanders, and without decent commanders it would have been butchery to an even greater extent. He appears to have known this from the start...and worried in his life that history would take a dim view of his character and motives. When it was all over, he intended to continue to serve the country, regardless of who won, as he had served the country prior to hostilities. The people under his command were inspired by him (for better or for worse), and they were defending their homes from what they saw as an invading force. Perhaps that;s why they were so successful? The sad endcap to the story (before anyone thinks I'm making an effigy of the man) was that due to his appalling mismanagement, regardless of his previous success, the Battle of Gettysburg became a meat grinder....it stands as an example of the greatest possible mistake a military commander could make..or rather as a series of them. Due to his poor command decision he assumed the role of butcher himself and in so doing sealed the fate of the Confederacy.
But, you know...hate and stuff, that simple.
Quote:When I measure my own by that standard I am filled with confusion and despair.
The confederacy needed commanders, and without decent commanders it would have been butchery to an even greater extent. He appears to have known this from the start...and worried in his life that history would take a dim view of his character and motives. When it was all over, he intended to continue to serve the country, regardless of who won, as he had served the country prior to hostilities. The people under his command were inspired by him (for better or for worse), and they were defending their homes from what they saw as an invading force. Perhaps that;s why they were so successful? The sad endcap to the story (before anyone thinks I'm making an effigy of the man) was that due to his appalling mismanagement, regardless of his previous success, the Battle of Gettysburg became a meat grinder....it stands as an example of the greatest possible mistake a military commander could make..or rather as a series of them. Due to his poor command decision he assumed the role of butcher himself and in so doing sealed the fate of the Confederacy.
But, you know...hate and stuff, that simple.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
