I have mentioned that I am a big history buff. This is a good article about a major figure in our history. I learned things I hadn't known. He is one of only 6 foreigners to be named an honorary US citizen by congress. And the story of the American Expeditionary Force that arrived in France to aid them during WWl. At his grave in Paris announced "Laffyette, we are here. " On this day in history, Sept. 6, 1757, Marquis de Lafayette is born, hero of two revolutions On this day in history, Sept. 6, 1757, Marquis de Lafayette is born, hero of two revolutions
@Minuteman It is little known and not really taught, but America would not be here if it were not for French and Dutch assistance during the Revolutionary War and the start of our nation. It was the Dutch money and the French arms plus their fleet that allowed us to continue to fight.
The French fleet blocked the ports and the English were not able to move and continue the war. It was only for a few weeks, but it forced the British to surrender. In fact the loans to the USA, his lavish spending, and the costly wars with the English , were the the final straws that lead to the French revolution. The congress that fought the war of independence never did get their financial house in order and may "loaned" all they had to finance the war and were never repaid. Without Franklin in Paris, we would havem lost the war. Benjamin Franklin in Paris Struggles to Keep the United States From Financial Failure | The Raab Collection Lafayette and the other generals from the old world were able to get the US army to both stand fight and practice enough hygine in their camps that they didn't all die of disease
Many others contributed to the success of our colonial army. Both in the Revolutionary War and the subsequent war of 1812. Probably the least known contributions came from the native tribes that fought for the colonials. An alliance of tribes led by Tecumseh of the Shawnee were trying to convince the other southern tribes to join with the British. A respected division chief of the Choctaw, Pushmataha, argued against this. He led an alliance of Choctaw and Chickasaw that volunteered to fight for the colonials. He was made a Brigadier General in the Colonial Army. The first Native to hold an officers rank. His native soldiers fought in many battles, including the Battle of New Orleans. Though those fighting there (led by two of my ancestors) were few in number many historians believe if not for the Choctaw assistance that battle would surely have gone to the British and quite possibly the entire war. They refused, and prevented others from guiding the British forces through the swamps and marshes of Southern Mississippi and Louisiana. They harried them day and night during thier March to New Orleans so that the soldiers were completely exhausted and much demoralized before the battle ever commenced. Pushmataha was buried with full military honors in the congressional cemetary in Washington DC. One of only two native chiefs to be interred there. The other , Peter Pitchlynn was also a Choctaw chief. He met with Laffyette and President Jacksom while in DC His portrait was painted in full military uniform while there. There is a lot of little known history to our founding. But the native contribution I believe is the least known.
Congressional cemetary ??? I never heard about it either . The ground housing these corpses should probably be dug up and treated as contaminated soil by the EPA standards .
It is similar to Arlington but not restricted to military. It was not for congressmen. It was for dignitaries and people who served the nation. His epitaph, inscribed in upper case letters, reads: Push-ma-ta-ha, a Choctaw chief, lies here. This monument to his memory is erected by his brother chiefs who were associated with him in a delegation from their nation in the year 1824 to the general government of the United States. Push-ma-ta-ha was a warrior of great distinction he was wise in council – eloquent in an extraordinary degree, and on all occasions & under all circumstances the white man's friend. He died in Washington on the 24th of December 1824 of the croup in the 60th year of his age. Among his last words were the following "When I am gone let the big guns be fired over me." In all, there is one Vice President, one Supreme Court justice, six Cabinet members, 19 Senators and 71 Representatives (including a former Speaker of the House) buried there, as well as veterans of every American war, and the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover.[3]
After 1876 the cemetery was seldom used or supported by Congress. Nevertheless, many wealthy Washingtonians continued to bury family members there, and figures associated with the government who were local residents, such as Marine Corps Band Director John Philip Sousa were buried there.
Don't forget the Spanish! They harried the British from their colonial outposts along the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River. Once, the British/Indians attacked St. Louis and the Spanish forces followed them back to Canada for payback. Also, the Spanish supplied much needed economic aid to the American cause.
around here Casimir Pulaski is big - it's a IL State Holiday (Poles got a Pulaski Day and the blacks a MLK Day) and there are all kinds of "named afters" including a major highway - the local Poles always pushed for a Chicago Xway but got outvoted for a Prez every time ....
General (Baron) Friederich von Steuben from Prussia created the American Army. His training methods made soldiers out of starving, sick and demoralized militiamen during the winter at Valley Forge. That next spring the American soldiers went muzzle to muzzle with the British Redcoats, including the Black Watch and Coldstream Guards, at the Battle of Monmouth, and in the heat of battle (100+F) drove the British from the field.
On this day in history, Sept. 8, 1565, St. Augustine — oldest city in North America — is settled by Spain On this day in history, Sept. 8, 1565, St. Augustine — oldest city in North America — is settled by Spain
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, SEPT. 7, 1813, UNCLE SAM BECOMES SYMBOL OF NATION DURING WAR OF 1812 Uncle Sam was inspired by Troy, New York, meatpacker ‘Uncle’ Sam Wilson, who supplied troops with rations way back during the War of 1812,"
On this day in history, Oct. 10, 1845, US Naval Academy founded after planned mutiny shocks nation On this day in history, Oct. 10, 1845, US Naval Academy founded after planned mutiny shocks nation
