Spare a Thought for Veterans of the American Revolution

[Valin]

NRO

Many didn’t get paid, and the new United States took them for granted.

Jay Cost

November 13, 2017

 

Another Veterans Day has come and gone. I wonder if just one day is really enough. Between the Revolutionary War and the First Gulf War, nearly 42 million Americans have served during combat, and nearly 700,000 lost their lives in combat. Each war was unique, as were the hardships that soldiers faced in each one.

While we often overlook it these days, the Revolutionary War was a very hard conflict for the soldiers. And the brave souls who were the first to fight for our nation deserve a special remembrance.

 

(Snip)

 

Moreover, the country did not have the means to properly equip soldiers, and it certainly lacked a central government capable of carrying out such a task. Supplies were always hard to come by, and pay for soldiers was often not forthcoming. One can see this strikingly in The March to Valley Forge, by William Trego. At first glance, your eye will be drawn to George Washington — undaunted and resolute. But take a closer look at the soldiers. They are limping, wounded, and, worst of all, underdressed.

The failure of the government to take care of its soldiers is a main reason that Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison were all such staunch nationalists after the war was over. They had seen how incapable the government was and knew that if this experiment in self-government was to endure, a stronger central authority had to be established. The first victims of government incompetence were the soldiers.

 

(Snip)

[Draggingtree]

On 11/13/2017 at 9:01 AM, Valin said:

NRO

Many didn’t get paid, and the new United States took them for granted.

Jay Cost

November 13, 2017

 

Another Veterans Day has come and gone. I wonder if just one day is really enough. Between the Revolutionary War and the First Gulf War, nearly 42 million Americans have served during combat, and nearly 700,000 lost their lives in combat. Each war was unique, as were the hardships that soldiers faced in each one.

While we often overlook it these days, the Revolutionary War was a very hard conflict for the soldiers. And the brave souls who were the first to fight for our nation deserve a special remembrance.

 

(Snip)

 

Moreover, the country did not have the means to properly equip soldiers, and it certainly lacked a central government capable of carrying out such a task. Supplies were always hard to come by, and pay for soldiers was often not forthcoming. One can see this strikingly in The March to Valley Forge, by William Trego. At first glance, your eye will be drawn to George Washington — undaunted and resolute. But take a closer look at the soldiers. They are limping, wounded, and, worst of all, underdressed.

The failure of the government to take care of its soldiers is a main reason that Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison were all such staunch nationalists after the war was over. They had seen how incapable the government was and knew that if this experiment in self-government was to endure, a stronger central authority had to be established. The first victims of government incompetence were the soldiers.

 

(Snip)

[Geee]

On 11/13/2017 at 9:01 AM, Valin said:

NRO

Many didn’t get paid, and the new United States took them for granted.

Jay Cost

November 13, 2017

 

Another Veterans Day has come and gone. I wonder if just one day is really enough. Between the Revolutionary War and the First Gulf War, nearly 42 million Americans have served during combat, and nearly 700,000 lost their lives in combat. Each war was unique, as were the hardships that soldiers faced in each one.

While we often overlook it these days, the Revolutionary War was a very hard conflict for the soldiers. And the brave souls who were the first to fight for our nation deserve a special remembrance.

 

(Snip)

 

Moreover, the country did not have the means to properly equip soldiers, and it certainly lacked a central government capable of carrying out such a task. Supplies were always hard to come by, and pay for soldiers was often not forthcoming. One can see this strikingly in The March to Valley Forge, by William Trego. At first glance, your eye will be drawn to George Washington — undaunted and resolute. But take a closer look at the soldiers. They are limping, wounded, and, worst of all, underdressed.

The failure of the government to take care of its soldiers is a main reason that Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison were all such staunch nationalists after the war was over. They had seen how incapable the government was and knew that if this experiment in self-government was to endure, a stronger central authority had to be established. The first victims of government incompetence were the soldiers.

 

(Snip)

Reading some of the histories that were written closer to the actual event, George Washington's biggest obstacle to over come besides the enemy was Congressional (although it was not called that at the time) interference!!! Incompetent politicians trying to dictate his moves. Sound familiar - some things never change.

[Valin]

Geee

 

He had waaaay more patience than I.