Author: Patrick Teegarden
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Happy Birthday to the U.S. Constitution, birth defects, of course, notwithstanding
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Happy Birthday to the U.S. Constitution. James Madison wrote it, John Marshall interpreted it, Roger Taney and Jefferson Davis tried to destroy it, and Abraham Lincoln not only saved, but also redeemed it. Brilliant document though it was when adopted by the Constitutional Convention 226 years ago, the U. S. Constitution was originally infected with…
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January reflections on three Americans — two for the ages, one still belongs to Colorado
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January (1st) marks the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, by America’s greatest President, Abraham Lincoln. Make no mistake, and ignore criticism to the contrary – this one act by Lincoln (combined with winning the Civil War, of course) had more to do with the elimination of America’s Original Sin of Slavery…
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The movie Lincoln is almost as satisfying as reading “Team of Rivals”
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Last week, my friend and colleague, Doug Young, wrote a brilliant review of the recently released Stephen Spielberg film, Lincoln. As follow up, I have three enthusiastic recommendations: First, go see the movie. Second, take 5-10 minutes to read the actual texts of Abraham Lincoln’s two greatest speeches, the Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863) and…
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A look back at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in 1860
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Well folks, ’tis the season for Presidential-year Political Conventions! Ah yes – more political games and trickery! Smoke filled rooms, counterfeit admission tickets, well-heeled East Coast financiers trying to strong arm western voters, organized and paid shouters and cheerleaders, rumor-mongering, threats of party defections, promises of cabinet posts and other patronage in exchange for support,…
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Remembering why all us Turkeys stay on the same crazy bus!
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Saturday, November 19, is the 148th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 delivery of the Gettysburg Address. It will likely bring a smile to the face of any admirer of Lincoln to know that the President’s first words to his friend and bodyguard, Ward Lamon, after delivering his brief remarks were, “that speech won’t scour.”…
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The closer we examine Abraham Lincoln, the greater he remains in our minds
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Having recently discussed the bare bones story of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, I’ve been uncertain how to best present or frame the apparent ambiguities and lack of urgency in Lincoln’s own commitment to end slavery. When studying or reading about Lincoln’s life, particularly his early career in Illinois, one cannot help but stumble across any…
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13 months of Yankee ineptitude and defeat
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This past week, Aug. 30 marked the 149th anniversary of the Union’s second consecutive defeat at Bull Run. But Union futility on the fields of Virginia over this 14-month stretch was more pathetic than the record might indicate. The Yankee losing streak that had begun on the same battlefield the previous year, in July 1861,…
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Civil War Generals Grant, Sherman and the Western Theater of War
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The Civil War battle resulting in the Union capture of Fort Donelson, in northern Tennessee, is not nearly as well known as it ought to be, given the eclectic cast of characters serving as general officers who played a role there. But most notably, it was during the preparation for and execution of this campaign…
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The Confederate Army & “defensive” strategy
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For a variety of reasons, I’ve always had more difficulty gaining insight, perspective and understanding of the main generals of the Confederacy than of their Union counterparts. One contributing factor is certainly the misleading and often false reporting of “history” through the Myth of the Lost Cause. Likewise, I suspect that it’s more difficult to…
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The anniversary of the Battle of Manassas
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A giant equestrian statue of Stonewall Jackson stands today near the spot where his lines faced the Federalsand stemmed the tide, leading to ultimate Southern victory on the battlefield.Photo by Patrick Teegarden/The Colorado Statesman July 21 will mark the 150th anniversary of the first “major” battle of the American Civil War, which was referred to…
