AMC Rebels AMC Rebels AMC Rebels AMC Rebels

 
 
 
 
Today I Learned more of why I adore AMC Rebels. I mean, just look at 'em!

George Washington's Choppers

Holy Smokes! George Washington had quite the contraption in his mouth! Plus, that ain't wood: his actual lower denture was carved from Hippopotamus ivory. Check the laser scanning HERE. He was in mouthpain most of his life, eventually losing ALL his teeths to make room for more and more complex contraptions. The Clements Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has a letter from General George in 1781 asking for some utensils to help better manage his chopper situation. You can have a close-up look at his home, Mount Vernon, all redone and 21st centuryized. The estate is looking grand and I can't wait to go again. Gonna take The Rebel south down GW Pkwy and roll til I hit the spot. They've really done it up proper down there now. Not just teeths, but wonderful new full-body representations of what he looked like and some thoughtful activity programs. Fantastic stuff.

Steady Learnifyin'

Today I learned how to upgrade to the new beta ~ now the new platform I suppose ~ Blogger thingy, what with the Google hookup 'n' all ... Uncle Googs col' settin' me up cuz now I'm rockin' Picasa and it bee purrfect for my work computer situation here, especially since I'm soooo angry at Mac right now! It feels good to coordinate my systems, and I'm currently trusting Uncle. It's like using Flock with Photobucket: the shit just feels nice. >Smoooth, like a pane of glass, I'm gonna kick yer ass if you try and skip my class, I'll be yer knight in shining armour, smokin' marijuana, whispering sweetnothings cuz you knows that I'm the charmer< ~ Adam Hussain steppin' in there, y'alls ... Today I also learned how much Walter hates G'Ford. "HE was the one who forgave HIM!" he bellowed in the halls. "Dick was down, right where we wanted him, and HE comes in and FORGIVES HIM?! Screw that, we all said. We were ready to go down to DC to perform what FORD stopped: Nixon's punishment. HE LET HIM GO! Unforgivable ... " /shakes fist at ceiling, eyes squeezing shut hard and pained ...

Blacks as Red Coats

Gimme a break.
Hadda bombshell dropped on me today regarding our Revolutionary War and the African-Americans who served in it. How about ONE THIRD of Cornwallis' army in the battle of Yorktown ... were BLACK. Yep. From the colonies. When the British heard of the upcoming French interference, they began recruiting hard, promising freedom and self-worth. Overall, about 80 to 100,000 slaves joined up with the British army. Can you imagine? Then there are all the stories that go along with these numbers, brilliantly laid out in new research by historian Simon Schama in his fab new book, Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution.
The must-hear interview with him on Kojo's show is enlightening all the way through.

Librarian Soldier

When I say Librarian, I mean Civil War-era Librarian of Congress, James G. Stephenson, who actually served in the U.S. Army during his term as Librarian. He had held the post since 1861 when Lincoln chose the Terre Haute physician to head up the prestigious LC -- then joined up when the war began, eventually serving bravely as a colonel in Lee's one-pronged Cannae, Chancellorsville ... then even at Gettysburg, where he was an aide-de-camp for the generals serving under John Reynolds, so when Reynolds died, all the officers on the field were promoted. Stephenson's performance was important enough to be highlighted in General Doubleday's report in a separate paragraph: Colonel [John G.] Stephenson, Librarian of Congress, acted as volunteer aide to General Meredith. He exposed himself freely on all occasions, and rendered many valuable services.
He was out in the line of fire more than most soldiers, closing ranks and shouting commands, running between divisions. He had to know ALL about how battles were faught, to anticpate and execute his duties, all the regimental flags and coordinations, all the cavalry and artillery timetables, etc ... and all this without a weapon. His responsibilities and risks were HUGE.
And this was all WHILE he was Librarian! He served in the 19th Indiana! One of the most hallowed regiments in the army! The IRON BRIGADE! >>> John G. Stephenson resigned New Years's Eve 1864, bringing in his assistant while he was away, the great Ainsworth Rand Spofford, who would go on to serve the LC as Librarian for the next 30+ years.

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