Category Archives: Neglected History

November 11, 2015 · 3:07 pm

HAPPY VETERANS DAY 2015

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day!

Well, it’s been nearly 100 years since November 11th, 1918 saw the end of World War One, or the Great War as it was called before anyone knew a second global conflict would occur. As we all know the date eventually became designated as the day for honoring the people who make it possible for the rest of us to lead our lives in relative safety. 

Irrational political partisans often forget that the only reason any of them have the luxury of sitting back and making pompous, self-righteous pronouncements is because of the men and women who go out and actually DO something. 

And those men and women do it even though they know that Continue reading →

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November 10, 2015 · 3:50 am

ANOTHER U.S. NAVAL VICTORY OVER MUSLIM NAVIES

Commodore John Rodgers, who was a Captain at the time of this battle.

Commodore John Rodgers, who was a Captain at the time of this battle.

With Veteran’s Day approaching here’s another neglected U.S. military action against Muslim forces.

June 21st, 1803 – I’m skipping ahead to this battle since it featured the USS Enterprise in action again and for pop culture reasons that seemed to really goose the reaction to the previous Enterprise victory. We’re still in the First Barbary War.

Off the coast of what is now Libya the USS Enterprise was maintaining our blockade on the east, the USS Adams on the west and the USS John Adams in the center. The Muslims sent out a polacre plus nine gunboats to do battle. Hundreds of Muslim infantry and cavalry lined the shore, ready to open fire on the American vessels if the battle brought them within range. Continue reading →

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November 9, 2015 · 12:01 am

U.S. NAVY VS MUSLIM NAVIES

Enterprise over the TripoliWith Veteran’s Day approaching Balladeer’s Blog will be examining various neglected military actions of the past, including our forgotten wars with Muslim nations.

August 1st, 1801 – The U.S.S. Enterprise engaged in battle with the Muslim ship Tripoli from what is now Libya. This action was part of the First Barbary War, fought over the escalating demands for tribute from the Muslim criminal nations that preyed on Mediterranean shipping.

The Enterprise was commanded by Lt Andrew Sterett and the Tripoli by Muhammad Rous. The Tripoli attacked the Enterprise but Sterett outmaneuvered the Muslim ship and the vessels exchanged fire for roughly three hours before the Tripoli pretended to surrender.

The fake surrender was, even then, an old Muslim tactic. The apparent surrender prompted the American ship to stop firing and move in close to accept the surrender. The Muslims on board the Tripoli then resumed firing and attempted to board the Enterprise when it drew near.  Continue reading →

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August 4, 2015 · 7:30 pm

VINTAGE POSTERS ONLINE AUCTION

1917 World War One Enlistment Poster

1917 World War One Enlistment Poster

On August 5th at 10:30am Eastern Time a selection of 700 vintage posters will be auctioned off at Invaluable.com .

Among them will be this item to the left, Lot 99, a recruitment poster to inspire Americans to enlist in the fight against the Kaiser and company.

Other posters available include:

Lot 163: NORMAN ROCKWELL (1894-1978). [THE FOUR FREEDOMS.] Group of 4 posters.

Estimate $3,000 to $4,000

On January 6, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the United States Congress on the escalating threat to American security caused by the war raging in Europe. In this now famous “Four Freedoms” speech, Roosevelt encouraged America to step up war production and put the nation in the mindset for the inevitable involvement in the war.

Lot 48: HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (1864-1901). MAY MILTON

Estimate $10,000 to $15,000

His attraction to May Belfort, who sang kitschy love songs while holding a cat, resulted in a poster for her. It also produced this poster for her lover, May Milton, an English dancer. It is one of the best examples of Lautrec’s brilliant use of blank paper to help create an image. Against the white background, he evokes the perspective of the stage with a few lines, and conveys the dancer’s figure in a Continue reading →

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July 4, 2015 · 2:14 am

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY 2015

American flagBalladeer’s Blog wishes a happy birthday to the USA! What happened in early July of 1776 certainly needs no rehashing so in keeping with my blog’s theme of addressing more out of the way subjects this post will examine various events that took place on other July 4th’s throughout American history.

JULY 4TH, 1778 – George Rogers Clark led his rebel forces in taking the British stronghold of Kaskaskia, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers. Clark and his Rangers were on a mission for then-Virginia Governor Patrick Henry.

JULY 4TH, 1783 – The Massachusetts Supreme Court is finalizing its written decision holding that slavery has been illegal in the state since adoption of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights in 1780.

JULY 4TH, 1788 – Continue reading →

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July 2, 2015 · 5:19 pm

NAVAL BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

American navy -revolutionary warWelcome back to Balladeer’s Blog! As always I am big on seasonal articles and here is another one of my examinations of a neglected aspect of Revolutionary War history. With the 4th of July coming up quickly enjoy this look at some forgotten naval battles from the war for our country’s independence.

AUGUST 7th, 1775 – The Commerce raided the HMS Betsy and successfully made off with over 17,000 lbs of gunpowder for the rebel cause.

AUGUST 10th, 1775 – In Gloucester, MA the town militia fired on the HMS Falcon and drove it off, killing 35 British sailors and forcing the ship to Continue reading →

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June 30, 2015 · 10:51 pm

ELIZABETHTOWN: FORGOTTEN REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLE

Elizabethtown New Jersey Revolutionary WarIn the spirit of the 4th of July season here’s another neglected battle from the American Revolution.

BATTLE OF ELIZABETHTOWN

Date(s): January 5th-7th, 1777

Location: Elizabethtown and Springfield, NJ

American Commander: General William Maxwell

British Commander: Colonel Charles Mawhood

The Battle: On January 5th American Rebels attacked a British Cavalry patrol, killing one man and wounding another. The next day some cavalrymen and 50 infantrymen set out from the town to kill or capture any Rebels in the area. Continue reading →

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June 29, 2015 · 10:11 pm

SPANKTOWN: FORGOTTEN REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLE

William MaxwellThe 4th of July is fast approaching! In the spirit of the season here’s another neglected battle from the American Revolution.

BATTLE OF SPANKTOWN

Date: February 23rd, 1777

Location: Spanktown, NJ (Now Rahway)

American Commander: General William Maxwell

British Commander: Colonel Charles Mawhood

The Battle: Colonel Mawhood, with 2,000 men, was roaming the New Jersey No-Man’s Land with orders to destroy any American forces he encountered. At Spanktown Mawhood’s troops came upon American Militiamen herding livestock for supplies while being accompanied by Continental Army Regulars. The American forces totaled fewer than 900 men.  Continue reading →

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June 28, 2015 · 9:47 pm

MILLSTONE: FORGOTTEN REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLE

General Philemon Dickinson

General Philemon Dickinson

The 4th of July is fast approaching! As usual Balladeer’s Blog is posting relevant material and in keeping with my blog’s overall theme here’s a forgotten American victory from the Revolutionary War.

BATTLE OF MILLSTONE

Date: January 20th, 1777

Location: Weston, NJ (Now called Manville)

American Commander: General Philemon Dickinson (Younger brother of John Dickinson)

British Commander: Colonel Robert Abercromby

The Battle: The forces of the United States and the British Army (augmented by their Hessian allies) clashed frequently in the winter of 1777. These battles were often the result of both armies attempting to provision themselves off the increasingly barren New Jersey No-Man’s Land. Continue reading →

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June 25, 2015 · 11:45 pm

SACRED HONOR:1776 – THE MEN WHO SIGNED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

JULY 4th IS COMING! The big names among the signers of the Declaration of Independence get all the attention they need, so Balladeer’s Blog will be spreading the love to ALL the signers in this article. And for a look at Revolutionary War battles PRIOR to July 4th, 1776 click here: https://glitternight.com/2012/07/01/before-the-fourth-revolutionary-war-battles-before-independence-day/

CONNECTICUT –

Samuel Huntington

Samuel Huntington

1. Samuel Huntington – Served as president of the Continental Congress from 1779 to 1781. After the war served as Connecticut’s Chief Justice and then Governor.   ###   2. Roger Sherman – In addition to signing the Declaration he also signed the Articles of Association, the Articles of Confederation AND the U.S. Constitution.   ###   3. William Williams – Used his own money to finance various Connecticut Militia units and allowed American and later French troops to quarter in his home.   ###   4. Oliver Wolcott – Went on to serve as a Major General and led his forces against British Loyalists who were launching raids along the Connecticut Coastline. He also Continue reading →

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