On January 30th, 1835, the funeral of Congressman Davis from South Carolina had drawn quite the crowd. Among the attendees were President Andrew Jackson and Congressman David Crockett (Anti-Jacksonian, TN), there to pay their respects; also in attendance was one Richard Lawrence, there to bust a cap in the Prez.
Unable to get close enough as Jackson entered the building, he waited out front and tried to back-shoot him as the President exited. Both of Lawrence's percussion-fired pistols misfired, however, possibly due to soggy powder charges, and he was tackled by Congressman Crockett and other bystanders, while the President of the United States assisted the process with several manful thwacks from his cane.
Jackson may have been a pocket imperialist, a wannabe genocidal land-grabber, and a power-hungry politician to the core, but he was obviously a mensch. I just can't picture, say, Jimmy Carter or Bush the Elder using a stick to try and stomp the piss out of an assailant. (Or Nancy Pelosi wrestling him to the ground...)
Bah. Preston Brooks knew how to beat a man with a cane.
ReplyDeleteI just can't picture.... Bush the Elder using a stick to try and stomp the piss out of an assailant.
ReplyDeleteFrom the WIKI on the same...
As part of Air Group 51, his squadron was based on the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) in the spring of 1944. San Jacinto was part of Task Force 58 that participated in operations against Marcus and Wake Islands in May, and then in the Marianas during June. On June 19, the task force triumphed in one of the largest air battles of the war. Shortly after takeoff Bush's aircraft made a forced water landing. A destroyer rescued the young pilot and his crew, although the plane was lost.[1] On July 25, Bush and another pilot received credit for sinking a small cargo ship off Palau.
On September 2, 1944, Bush piloted one of four Grumman TBM Avenger aircraft from VT-51 that attacked the Japanese installations on Chichi Jima. For this mission his crew included Radioman Second Class John Delaney and Lieutenant Junior Grade William White, who substituted for Bush's regular gunner. During their attack, four Avengers from VT-51 encountered intense antiaircraft fire. While starting the attack, Bush's aircraft was hit and his engine caught on fire. Despite the fact that his plane was on fire, he completed his attack and released the bombs over his target, scoring several damaging hits. With his engine on fire, Bush flew several miles from the island, where he and one other crew member on the TBM Avenger bailed out of the aircraft. However, the other man's parachute did not open, and he fell to his death. It was never determined which man bailed out with Bush. Both Delaney and White were killed in action. While Bush waited four hours in his inflated raft, several fighters circled protectively overhead until he was rescued by the lifeguard submarine USS Finback. For this action Bush received the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the month he remained on the USS Finback, Bush participated in the rescue of other pilots.
Bush subsequently returned to San Jacinto in November 1944 and participated in operations in the Philippines. When San Jacinto returned to Guam, the squadron, which had suffered 50 percent casualties of its pilots, was replaced and sent to the United States. Through 1944, he had flown 58 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded aboard the San Jacinto.
To hear him tell it, Crockett could "grin down a bear", I.E., grin like he was shooting a bear until it died of fright.
ReplyDeleteThomas Fitzpatrick, aka "Broken Hand", was another of the same tough type of CongressMEN who could have held his own with anyone. I remember reading about him in Junior High.
A bio is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Thomas-Fitzpatrick-Mountain-Indian/dp/0803272081
Ah, yes, the 1800's were unique. The men wore leather, high heels, & were made of Iron while their ships were made of wood.
Today, BAH! Girliemen run California.
PUKE!
...and I have read that Mrs. Jackson liked her pipe now and then.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, Crockett was the last Rep. on the floor of congress to oppose government charity on principle.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Miss K., I am a multi generational Jackson hater as well.