Daily FGS
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Happy Independence Day, America.
Category: Feel Good Stories, Guest Link
Happy 4th of July to everyone! The British Short Land Pattern, aka Brown Bess is apropos for today’s FGS. It was by far the most ubiquitous musket used by either side of our War for Independence, though many Charleville and other muskets were also used. Hard to believe that just a short 250 years ago the smoothbore musket represented the pinnacle of military technology. There were rifles and even some repeating arms, but the musket would be refined into its ultimate state (the primer fired 1853s and 1863s of American Civil War fame before finally conceding to breech loading and ultimately repeating smokeless powder guns. Now, we carry concealable pistols with 20+ rounds that
When I served, I loved it when another Soldier would take note of someone carrying an M16. “Look at that musket…” As I got older and would occasionally get the comment of “his first issued weapon was a Brown Bess”, I would inform my coworkers that, yes, I was issued a Brown Bess at one point; of the 112 reproduction muskets that A/1-3 IN had in the Arms Room, I hand-selected one that looked good for ceremonies and was reliable for firing demos. We had four Charleville reproductions as well for War of 1812 impressions during Twilight Tattoo and Spirit of America (it being the basis for the Springfield Model 1795–the first domestically produced musket and worn by many Infantrymen to this day in the form of the EIB and CIB).
I once quipped of a senior NCO “He is so old his CIB is a boxed spear.”
Truly inspiring words from a truly inspiring leader.
https://youtu.be/JIVJCDwZUkM?si=hWy5kk19xG-FuTKa
Yup, you know, the thing!!
YUP
Lot of good their Brown Bess did them, huh…
