Tag Archives: Generals

Word and Phrases, WWII

Thank God That Such Men Lived…

General George Patton was a lot of things. He was a warrior and a poet in the classical sense. He thought that he had lived many lives before and sometimes did not understand things such as weakness or fear. He was a man who had a purpose and it just so happened that the times he lived in were ripe for that purpose.

The quote of his above is from a speech that he gave at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, on June 7, 1945. It is ingrained in the wall of the Illinois WWII Memorial and at first glance it causes one to take pause and much like Patton himself you need to look at it fully to appreciate the merit of what he is saying.

He had used similar words before in 1943 while dedicating an Allied cemetery in Italy, “I consider it no sacrifice to die for my country. In my mind we came here to thank God that men like these have lived rather than to regret that they have died.” This quote, which came first, sheds light on the second and provides it with a little context.

Patton was a warrior in the classical sense. His job was war and he was good at it. To his detriment he did not always grasp some of the finer details of the job, some of the more human aspects. The slapping incidents are one example. (If you need background on that click here.) He expected every man under him to fight, that was their job, and when he found these men that were unable to mentally continue the fight he lashed out. it is not that he was a callous man, he was just a man who saw a job that needed done and stood for no obstacles in that path. His superiors recognized that in him and while such actions from almost any other general would have seen them dismissed, they need what Patton brought to the table.

Now back to the quote. it would be easy to read the first part and think that those were the words of a callous Patton, one who did not fully grasp the human cost of war. Perhaps he did not even see the men that he commanded but only pieces on a chess board. That is not the fact however. He did see the men and knew the cost, in his role though he had to be able to put it into context. No better quote by the man shows how he was able to do that. By thanking God that these men lived he is showing that their sacrifice, though great, was what was necessary to defeat their enemy. He elevates them in a way from men to legends, and such a thing from this man can not be taken lightly.

Yes, light on history but heavy on commentary. Just that kind of day…

American Revolution

Leaving His Mark: General Lincolns Lows and Highs

Benjamin Lincoln is often an overlooked player on the Patriot side of the American Revolution. In a conflict where most the leaders were either exceptionally or incompetent he rides right in the middle, for the most part. He started in the Massachusetts militia in 1772 and eventually rose to the rank of Major General of the militia in 1776.  Showing some gumption and a little bit of skill he was noticed by General Washington who brought into the Continental Army as a major-general in 1777. After seeing some action including leading troops at Saratoga where he was wounded, Lincoln spent time recovering and preparing for his next step. It would be a big one.

In September of 1778 Washington chose Lincoln to be the commander of the southern department. It went OK for Benjamin. Until March of 1780 when a large British force under General Clinton landed and besieged Charleston, South Carolina.

The siege was text-book and though some believe that Lincoln should have abandoned the city and kept his army intact he decided to stay put, hope for reinforcements and try to survive the siege. Despite long odds he was able to do so for about six weeks. Then faced with pressure from the merchants and well to do in town (they didn’t want to lose their property) he was finally forced to surrender.

In total Lincoln surrendered to the British:

Over 5,000 soldiers

More than 300 artillery pieces

Over 9,000 artillery rounds

33,000 barrels of ammunition

49 ships

120 boats

and a lot more.

This was by far the worst defeat the Continental Army had ever, or would ever suffer and nearly broke the back of the new country. It would have been easy to lay the defeat at the feet of Lincoln and many did, but for the most part his reputation stayed fairly clean (as opposed to someone like Schuyler who faced charges after Ticonderoga).

Lincoln was eventually exchanged and rejoined the army, mainly as a staff officer, keeping his head down and avoiding controversy. in October 1781 however he was thrust back upon the stage at a place called Yorktown.

When the combined French and American forces besieged the army of British General Cornwallis, Lincoln found himself in command of a large portion of the American forces and as second in command to General Washington. In that role he played a huge part in the battle.

on October 19, 1781 the British forces surrendered to the allies. General Cornwallis, who plead illness, sent his second in command to meet the victorious army, General O’Hara, and to surrender his sword. one version of the story says that O’Hara first attempted to surrender the sword to French General Rochambeau who politely refused and indicated it should go the Washington. When offering the sword to Washington O’Hara was gently directed to turn the sword over to Washington’s second in command, General Benjamin Lincoln which accepted the sword and perhaps a little bit of satisfaction. Present at the biggest defeat and the biggest victory Lincoln left his mark on the American Revolution.