The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Sam R. Watkins, Confederate Soldier - Mar. 12th, 2003

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/6732/files/soldier_watkins.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

Good series. PBS earned their money on with that one.

[Colt .45]

Thanks for recognizing the bravery of Southern Soldiers. While many damnYankees are of the idea Confederates fought only for slavery, Sam Watkins didn't even own a slave, he like many other Southern men went off to war to fight for his country, his freedom, for what he believed in. Its too bad many Americans don't hold to those values anymore, nor do other countries, like Canada and France, Germany and a few other of "our friends". "Let someone else do the dying" they say, "we don't want to go to war"! No sane man takes joy at the thought of war, but when war is forced upon us, brave souls of stout heart have the courage to stand up and be counted. I feel justifiably proud to acknowledge that I am of Southern descent! I am proud of my country and its beliefs which the Founders gave to us. And of the one precious commodity which I and many other veterans fought for ... FREEDOM.

[GailA]

Afternoon FRiends I've been busy as a bee working on our Rally. It's gonna be beautiful

Today's graphic

[colorado tanker]

I agree. Ken Burns has a nice touch. I really enjoyed "Baseball" too.

[SAMWolf]

Afternoon GailA. How's the Rally plans coming?

[SAMWolf]

Didn't watch he "Baseball" series.

I really enjoyed reading Bruce Catton's Civil War Trilogy back in High school. Good overview of the entire war.

[aomagrat]

Wednesday's weird warship, HMS Agincourt

Agincourt class dreadnought
Displacement. 27,500 t.
Lenght. 671'6"
Beam. 89'
Draft. 27'
Speed. 22k.
Complement. 1115
Armament. 14 12"; 20 6"; 10 3"; 2 3" AA; 3 21" tt.

The HMS Agincourt has the curious distinction of being the property of three different Governments during a twelve month period. During the first decade of the 20th century, while Europe was involved in a dreadnought arms race, South America was involved in a mini arms race of its own, between Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Argentina ordered two 12 gun dreadnoughts from the U.S. in 1910, and Chile was actively shopping around. Not content to be out-bid by these very powerful vessels, Brazil tried to achieve an unassailable supremacy by planning the biggest battleship afloat.

The Rio de Janerio was laid down at Elswick England in September 1911, and launched 22 January 1913. Ten months after launching, Brazil had a change of heart and put her up for sale. She was purchased by Turkey and renamed Sultan Osman I in January 1914. The ship was completed in 1914, and was docked in Devonport England when WWI broke out. She was seized by the British government and commissioned into the royal navy as HMS Agincourt.

The HMS Agincourt carried the largest number of heavy guns of any warship afloat, 14 12 inch rifles in 7 turrets, named for the days of the week. She had the heaviest secondary battery afloat, 20 6 inch guns. No ship before or since has carried more main guns, more main turrets, or a larger secondary armament. There was something peculiarly attractive in the long, lean hull bristling with guns topped by a storied row of turrets. She was one of those ships that appeared her best from every angle, and with all her guns trained on one beam there was no more ferocious looking ship in the fleet.

She joined the 4th battle squadron of the Grand Fleet on the 7th September 1914. Transferring to the 1st Battle squadron in time for the Battle of Jutland. She took part in the Battle of Jutland, firing 144 rounds from her 12 inch guns. receiving no damage or casualties during the action. At Jutland she was the last in the line and during the action she fired full 14 gun salvoes. An observer on another ship said, "The sheet of flame was big enough to create the impression that a battle cruiser had blown up; it was awe inspiring."

In 1918 she joined the 2nd battle Squadron and in 1919 put on the disposal list. Recommissioned at Rosyth in 1919 as a experimental ship, and finally as a large depot ship with the removal off all main Gun turrets except Monday and Tuesday. All work on the alterations were stopped in 1921. She was scrapped in 1922 under the terms of the Washington Treaty.

While in service with the British navy, a knowledge of Portugese was necessary to work much of the equipment, including the bathroom fittings. The wardroom china retained Turkish inscriptions. Due to her great lenght and number of turrets, weight available for armor protection was limited to a maximum of 9 inches. The British considered her a floating magazine with a tremendous volume of gunfire being her best protection.

[SAMWolf]

You have to admit she does look impressive.

[Darksheare]

Falling!
*Thud*

[TEXOKIE]

Dear SamWolf, et al,

I just wanted to drop by the Foxhole and let everyone know that several of us who have been gathering over the past couple of months on the Yellow Rose of Texas prayer threads have decided that we need to have a prayer thread devoted entirely to our troops. Below is the url for the preliminary thread. Right now we are gathering names.

Please come by and post the name or pseudonym of your loved one and they will be included on the prayer list.

Please ping your friends and direct them to the list too, if you would, and those who have time, please keep the list bumped. Thanks ever so!


http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/863153/posts

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Texokie.

[manna]

Your schedule makes me tired just to read it.

Good luck with your classes.

[carenot]

I am sorry to be off topic.

Has anyone heard from MistyCA? I am very worried, we used to stay in contact. Her mother is very old, her husband, brother and uncle are real sick. I am so worried.

Please let me know if you hear from her and tell her I am worried.

[VRWCmember]

If you would ping some of the foxhole crowd to Next Time You See a Man or Woman in (Military) Uniform, Say "Thank You", I would greatly appreciate it. I think it is an excellent essay from a very good friend.

[fatima]

Hi AntiJen,Here is a bump.

[Jen]

If you would ping some of the foxhole crowd ...

My pleasure. PINGing some Foxhole FRiends!!!

[Jen]

Uh Oh! I just noticed I pinged them to the wrong thread! :-(

Trying again...

[Jen]

Thanks Fatima! Here's another bump.

[Jen]

Thanks manna! Nice to see you.

[Jen]

Falling! *Thud*

Ouch!