Greene County Daily World

Mash, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Gettysburg, President Pierce and Ol' Simmons

Posted Monday, May 12, 2008, at 8:12 PM
<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>

Please, let me introduce you to a friend of mine.

Most of you remember Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, played by Alan Alda on television and previously by Donald Sutherland in the movie, way back in 1970. If you remember even further back, you might recall that we had a 14th President named Franklin Pierce, who was the son of Benjamin Pierce. Also, Franklin and his wife, the former Jane Appleton had a young son, their third, who was named Benjamin. The Franklins had lost their only other children, both boys, at very early ages. After being elected in the fall of 1852, the Pierce's were travelling by train to a funeral, just 2 months prior to the inauguration, when the axle broke on their railcar and it tumbled over an embankment. Eleven year old Bennie Franklin was killed instantly when his head was crushed in the accident. There was no inauguration ball and the 4 years of the Franklin tenure was a very sad time for the Franklins. Franklin's Vice President, William Rufus King, who was elected with tuberculosis, was in Cuba taking treatments when he took the oath of office and died before he returned to the States. Interestingly, King and James Buchanan, Franklin's successor to the Presidency, lived together for 15 years and it has been widely rumored that the two were lovers.

Have you ever seen the movie "Gettysburg", which was adapted from Michael Shaara's historical novel, "The Killer Angels"? In this movie, Jeff Daniels, a very talented actor, who ironically played in "Dumb and Dumber" (and even more ironically, I saw this movie with my two oldest kids), played Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Without getting into too much detail, Chamberlain's men were running out of ammunition on Little Round Top at Gettysburg, so he ordered them to fix bayonets and charge down the hill at the attacking Confederates, which, fortunately turned out to be a good move because the Confederates were about out of ammo too. Chamberlain fought on throughout the war and was wounded several times, was awarded the Medal of Honor and was chosen by General Grant to preside over the formal Confederate surrender at Appomattox.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of the anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, was married to Calvin Stowe, who at the time of her writing this book, was a Professor at Bowdoin College in Maine. That's Bowdoin, pronounced, BOW (as in bow tie) DEN (as in lion's den). Lincoln called her "the little lady who started this big war…" because of the impact of the book on abolitionists at the time.

So, you ask, what do these folks have in common? As I mentioned, Harriet Beecher Stowe did her writing while living at Bowdoin College. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain left a job as a Professor of Rhetoric at Bowdoin to take a command in the Civil War. He later became President of Bowdoin, after serving four terms as the Governor of Maine. Franklin Pierce entered Bowdoin College as a student in 1820. The previous year the President of Bowdoin College passed away from a lengthy illness. He was Reverend Jesse Appleton, the father of Franklin Pierce's future bride, Jane. And of course, Hawkeye Pierce had played football at a fictional school based on the alma mater of Mash's author, H. Richard Hornberger, Bowdoin Class of 1945.

That's interesting, but what in the world does this all have to do with Ol' Simmons anyway? Let me explain, please. In 1794, Bowdoin College received its charter from Governor Samuel Adams of Massachusetts (Maine was, at that time, a district of Massachusetts).

Just join Ol' Simmons up town some evening and I'll introduce you to Sam Adams. Meanwhile, have a great evening.

Comments
Showing most recent comments first
[Show in chronological order instead]

While looking for the obit of a dear Greene County friend, I stumbled upon this blog. I am not a Greenecountian, but I know and have a fondness for many who are. I've known about ol' "Simmons" for a while now, but it took the comments related to the movie "Gettysburg" to get me to register at the GCDW website (to make this post). I Thought I'd recount my first viewing of this fairly good movie. Some of the movie is lackluster; (Martin Sheen as a so-so General R E Lee and Tom Berenger's (LtGen James Longstreet) ever-changing beard, but the depiction of the Battle of Little Round Top was inspiring. Jeff Daniels performance as Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was brilliant. (The performances of the late Richard Jordan as Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead and Sam Elliott as Brig. Gen. John Buford are also quite moving).

A friend of mine who holds a passion for all things military convinced me we should knock off work early and go see this at a midweek matinee a week or so before Christmas '93. We both had a mutual friend named "Jim" who we invited, and who was always more than willing to come with us on any of our forays (didn't know Sam Adams at the time). My friend convinced me that sitting in the first row was the only way to fly…said that we'd feel like we were right in the middle of the action.

I'll leave it like this: by the time we got to Pickett's Charge, "Jim" had us both feeling quite spirited, so much so that my friend jumped up and yelled "TURN BACK, IT'S A TRAP!". OK, that's a complete fabrication, but that's what I told people at the time. Maybe someone out there had a similar experience?

-- Posted by TaterRoad on Sun, May 25, 2008, at 7:19 PM

I like to read books. I love baseball,for many reasons, I have written about many of those reasons. Lester's no-hitter last night is right up there as one of those reasons, what a great game to watch, and read about in the papers. Good for baseball, and good for my sweet disposition. He did not win the civil war or even fight in it but he has won a couple of battles. One must tip their hat to Lester. Thanks

-- Posted by B ball fan on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 3:03 PM

Okay, no more personifying alcohol.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Mon, May 19, 2008, at 9:56 AM

The rebels with their shields of glass and paper, aluminum and plastic fought valiantly, but our triumvirate of thirst was too much for their technology. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled our nine hour surge left them dirty and depleted.

And now, we enjoy one more day of peace.

But let us not forget, there will be a delivery truck bringing in fresh recruits next week.

We won this battle, but the war goes on.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 4:51 PM

Judy Collins, voice like honey. Love the comments, and liked the post "very" much.

Had a scorpion on the living room floor night before last, so shake out your boots and check the sheets.

-- Posted by B ball fan on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 2:26 PM

To dpierc5:

I think I crushed the Whiskey Rebellion tonight or this morning maybe, depending on what side of the earth you woke up on. I haven't really awakened yet, but then again, I don't have to drive today.

Great to hear from someone new, and I'm raising one high to you this morning, cheers.

Just called Wigs to go play golf, got to get ready. Playing a little Judy Collins "Send in the Clowns" this morning.

Remember, the only reason the cannibal refused to eat the clown was because he tasted funny.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 5:18 AM

Matt and I just got in from a wonderful evening with Mark and his harmonica. It may have been one of the most pleasant evenings that I've ever had. We pretty well decided who shouldn't win the Presidency and once again I was confronted with some highly agitated political/religious rhetoric from two of the finest rhetorical non-partisan mouth-pieces of the current primary parade.

Wigs,

Don't worry I've got golf balls for tomorrow.

Wow,, Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone

Poor Ol' Simmons is all alone,

but they call him Unabomber and Hank's son

Not bad for an old Railroader's son.

Just an hour or so to get ready for golf, y'all take care.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 3:13 AM

Chris&Jeremy'sDad, I think there is a reward. The brother of the Unabomber got a million dollars. All of it he gave to charity. I think you are in line for a sleeve of Titleist golf balls. May I suggest donating them to the G.B.F.O.W fund.

-- Posted by Wiglund on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 10:11 PM

Wiglund, Is there a reward of any kind?

Since this blog will live on forever, kind of like the Congressional Record, thought I'd slip this in: Happy first birthday, Caleb!

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 8:21 PM

Thanks Chris&Jeremy'sDad. I always wondered who the Unagolfer was. I find it interesting that the Unibomber and Unigolfer were both turned in by their brothers.

-- Posted by Wiglund on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 6:12 PM

looking at that picture again--- I could sware that it was Hank JR. waving at us.... but hey my eyes are bad since I got old.

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 3:58 PM

As one of the few who share the same surname as our 14th president and yet claims no known kinship. I offer for your consideration, as Rod Sterling might of stated; Given the President's family business Sam Adams might very well have been served. And those early New England farmers probably thought old Sam Adams had experienced a Twilight Zone transformation, as the Boston Tea Party Revolution hero turns Establishment in crushing the Whiskey Rebellion. SO raise one high, Here's to Barabara Pierce Bush, true in temperament, wife and mother of Presidents.

-- Posted by dpierc5 on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 8:57 AM

he would need a boat... the ark didnt have a motor or sail (beeing a smartellec I am)

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 8:10 PM

VAs4lovers,

You might want to consider coming by boat or Ark.

-- Posted by simmons on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 3:12 PM

Thank you, C&J's dad. I'm ready to come home....planning on celebrating Ol'Simmons' birthday/father's day at the much talked about Pepperoni Grill. After Elks League, of course.

-- Posted by virginia is for lovers on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 9:23 AM

Particularly fond of ol' Sam Adams especially in his "light" form.

-- Posted by jdog on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 5:48 AM

Sort of a cross between Ted Kaczynski and the Walrus, Craig Stadler. The Unagolfer.

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 5:06 AM

Just stopped by to help Wiglund hang a piece of drywall. My heart soars like an eagle to see the elderly involved in home improvement projects like that. He's done a wonderful job on "Grandpa Wigs' Cabin". Don't look now Harriet, but I'm getting an idea for a story.

Funny thing about the Ted Kaczynski comment. I was working out in New Jersey years ago and Morris Trowbridge and I went to Atlantic City for the weekend. A very large fellow got in the elevator with us at the hotel and stared right at me for what seemed like an eternity, then he turned to Morris and asked, "Doesn't he look like a serial killer to you?" Morris nearly "busted a gut" or as they now say, he was LOL (laughing out loud).

-- Posted by simmons on Tue, May 13, 2008, at 4:07 PM

Good one, VA4Lovers. Heard you're going to be "back home again in Indiana", enjoy your visit, I know your Dad is looking forward to it.

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Tue, May 13, 2008, at 2:20 PM

Very well written, pops. That photo is an eerie similarity to the sketched likeness of Ted Kaczynski.

-- Posted by virginia is for lovers on Tue, May 13, 2008, at 8:02 AM

This was your best effort yet. Interesting and very funny (maybe not so funny to Va4Lovers and Matt). Keep'em coming.

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Tue, May 13, 2008, at 5:20 AM

Simmons got a fi'ine groove on now, just fine.

-- Posted by B ball fan on Tue, May 13, 2008, at 5:15 AM

From Battery C, 1/43 to Battery C, 1/68, but those things were on tracks, Mike. "Chaparral", just shoot and try to crawl away real fast.

You know you're old when every weapon system you ever worked on is now obsolete.

The picture above was from February 1986 at the Wooden Nickel, just down the road from Savannah Army Depot. Closed now, but home to the Defense Ammunition Center back then. Right on the Mississippi River in northern Illinois, it ranks just next to another place right on the Hudson River in New York, as two of the coldest places I've ever been.

I've never been to Bowdoin College, but I'm planning on visiting there soon. It's on my list, if I can afford the gas.

-- Posted by simmons on Tue, May 13, 2008, at 2:29 AM

Aint History interesting?

Or better aint Real Life as good as any fiction you could ever come up with?

Lets just hope who ever our next president is; they do not have the SAD tenure of Franklin Peirce.

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Mon, May 12, 2008, at 10:06 PM

Awesome. Loved that First Cav picture from the last article, by the way.

-- Posted by M Boyd on Mon, May 12, 2008, at 8:24 PM