Ulonda Dietmeier
Monroe
To the editor:
It's February, President's month. And we honor the man who served in dire times.
We're all aware that some stories, the cherry tree tale for instance, were fables with a teaching point. But only a few Virginia historians relate why its leaders, rather than serving under Washington, their neighbor, fought in their colony's militia.
While they were at Point Pleasant, George was riding to New York, hoping to obtain a commission in the British army, which would include a life-long pension. He was his father's younger son by a second wife. George didn't know then that Augustine would die young and that he would inherit Mount Vernon as well as the portion of the Strother claim that his father bought for mother Martha.
Washington and his fellow officers - as was typical - lived well in a fine colonial house while the troops suffered cold and hunger at Valley Forge. In battle, he did accept advice from old generals who had fought in the Indian Wars.
After the early Civil War Battle of Bull Run, according to Maj. Gen. W.B. Franklin, young Gen. George B. McClellan was ordered to Washington to take command of the Army of the Potomac. He began the organization and distribution of troops, purchase of war materials, and creation of field fortifications in preparation for an offensive to capture Richmond and end the war. In November, McClellan became commander-in-chief of the Army, and his plan delayed moving into battle until spring. By December, he was dangerously ill. The troops drilled and trained. Then McClellan became deathly sick with typhoid.
In January, Lincoln called Gens. McDowell, Franklin and others to the White House. Much money was being spent. Short-term enlisters would soon be discharged. Some generals and civilian leaders demanded immediate action. By April, McClellan's enemies, with about 100,000 men, but without McClellan's knowledge, moved into a series of bloody losing battles. If McClellan's plan had been patiently carried out, and Richmand taken that spring, how many members of our families might not have been amongst the thousands who died in the ensuing three years of bloody battles to end slavery and preserve the Union?
Monroe
To the editor:
It's February, President's month. And we honor the man who served in dire times.
We're all aware that some stories, the cherry tree tale for instance, were fables with a teaching point. But only a few Virginia historians relate why its leaders, rather than serving under Washington, their neighbor, fought in their colony's militia.
While they were at Point Pleasant, George was riding to New York, hoping to obtain a commission in the British army, which would include a life-long pension. He was his father's younger son by a second wife. George didn't know then that Augustine would die young and that he would inherit Mount Vernon as well as the portion of the Strother claim that his father bought for mother Martha.
Washington and his fellow officers - as was typical - lived well in a fine colonial house while the troops suffered cold and hunger at Valley Forge. In battle, he did accept advice from old generals who had fought in the Indian Wars.
After the early Civil War Battle of Bull Run, according to Maj. Gen. W.B. Franklin, young Gen. George B. McClellan was ordered to Washington to take command of the Army of the Potomac. He began the organization and distribution of troops, purchase of war materials, and creation of field fortifications in preparation for an offensive to capture Richmond and end the war. In November, McClellan became commander-in-chief of the Army, and his plan delayed moving into battle until spring. By December, he was dangerously ill. The troops drilled and trained. Then McClellan became deathly sick with typhoid.
In January, Lincoln called Gens. McDowell, Franklin and others to the White House. Much money was being spent. Short-term enlisters would soon be discharged. Some generals and civilian leaders demanded immediate action. By April, McClellan's enemies, with about 100,000 men, but without McClellan's knowledge, moved into a series of bloody losing battles. If McClellan's plan had been patiently carried out, and Richmand taken that spring, how many members of our families might not have been amongst the thousands who died in the ensuing three years of bloody battles to end slavery and preserve the Union?
