May 2nd 1898
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS CRAP?! I just got a message from Dr. Tanenhaus telling me the reason why i don't have a backup system for that damn thing called a "TIME MACHINE." Oh all of you in cyber land are gonna love this. I shall quote what he said, just to make sure i don't miss it all. He said in his email back to me, "Due to budget cuts, we were unable to put in a backup hydraulic system." Well no kidding...this really sucks. I bet whats his face from "Quantom Leap" did not have this problem. Thank you Gov. Gibbons for all your wisdom! Anyway sorry i have to vent some times. these people here would not believe a word of it and then they may bring up a witch trial again in my honor if i told them. OK so alot has happened since i last talked to you. First off i kind of enlisted in the service...well lets just say someone else did and i "accidentally knocked" then out and confiscated their papers, for both the navy and Army to be exact...So Private Braun/ Gunners mate Braun reports as ordered. HAHA!! Anyway you didn't hear that from me. Yesterday i was Gunners mate Braun USN and we did something really cool. We got to engage the enemy off the coast of Manila! First off i always wanted to go see the world and second off...ITS THE PHILIPPINES!
Well i have been around let m e tell you, while I'm in the navy i am a part of Admiral Dewey's Asiatic fleet, on his Flagship the Olympia. We (our convoy of seven ships) set out from Mirs bay on April 27th. Mirs bay is also known as tai pang wan, or Dapeng Bay in Hong Kong China. I know, you wanna know how the heck i ended up there...magic, and a magician never tells his secrets. well anyway, As the Admiral stated in his letter to Washington, [We] arrived off bolinao on the morning of April 30, and finding no vessels there, proceeded down the coast and arrived of the entrance to Manila bay on the same afternoon (Admiral Dewey, May 4, 1898). Now it was just a waiting game for what the good ol' Admiral wanted to do. buy my watch, which is keeping great time because its atomic lol, we began entering the the south channel of Manila bay and at 11:30 while half of the column of ships came through the channel a battery from the beach opened fire on us. Ha but these Spaniards must have forgotten their glasses because not a shot took affect on us. But for a greenhorn like me i simply pretended that i was a captain and strongly shouted to a fellow gunner, Gunners mate fetch me my Brown Pants!! and hit the floor of my position!
Our convoy of ships took their places off the coast of Manila and at around 5:00 a.m, the shore batteries opened up on us. I will let my new friend Gunner Joel C. Evans who is breathing over my shoulder wanting to type on this new machine and tell his story to all of you cyber historians. You see Joel is a gunner off the gunboat USS Boston. Here he is... No Joel don't talk to the screen, you need to use the keyboard...There you go. " I was in charge of the Forward ammunition supply on the Boston during the battle of Manila bay" (Joel Evans, Aug, 1898).
Umm anything else Joel? Yes? OK sorry ill let you tell then for a bit while i go and get some hardtack, just don't hit the power button...I know you don't know what that is...never mind.
(Joel continues)"I must tell first what we did below, where we could not see the fight, but felt it perhaps more that those above. It was a little after half past five o'clock when the roar of a gun on our deck above let me know that we had taken a hand in the game."
OK Joel I'm back, so Joel how did that make you feel hearing the guns go off, knowing that you had engaged the enemy?
"I think it was the proudest moment in my twenty-four years in the Navy. I had sent many a shell above to hit or miss a sand bank or some old hulk for target practice, but we knew now that everyone meant business." (Joel Evans, Aug, 1898).
Well Joel, What did the ammunition look like, i mean how did you guys do what you did down there...Don't look at me like that Joel, i know i went through training (not) but i need to you to tell me.
"Each projectile was slung ready for use, the powder in copper cylinders and the fixed ammunition for the rapid-firing guns in boxes. The men worked coolly, with nothing troubling them but the heat and curiosity. Their eagerness to know what was going on was overwelming and impelled them to rush to the ports to discover the cause of extraordinary activity on deck or of lulls in the firing." (Joel Evans, Aug 1898).
Did you do the same Joel?
"I had little opportunity for this, as i had to be particularly careful that no error was made in the ammunition, and that not a second was lost. What between orders for full and reduced charges, steel and shell, i was kept busy all the time." (Joel Evans, Aug 1898).
Joel, where you or the crew scared as to what was going on?
"I never saw men as easy minded as those below; and later, when i went on deck, one would have fancied we were at a garden party for all the fear exhibited. The Chinese showed as much nerve as the Americans. " (Joel Evans, Aug 1898).
It was interesting to take note that while i was on the Olympia during the battle, i seen two what looked like torpedo boats comming at us. The Admiral states in his letter to Washington, " early in the Engagement two launches put out toward Olympia with the apparent intention of using torpedoes. One was sunk and the other disabled by our fire and beached before an opportunity occurred to fire torpedoes." (Admiral Dewey, 5/4/1898).
However that's all fine and dandy but i really like Joel's take on it, go ahead Joel, tell them.
"The most exciting incident of the battle, perhaps never exceeded in its audacity and its fearful results for the attacking party, was the attempt of two torpedo-boats to destroy the Olympia. They waited as she approached, and then came at her full speed. The Olympia poured a storm of big shells about them, but they presented such a small target at the distance of several miles that they were not hit, and each moment of their nearer approach was filled with suspense and dread for all our ships. Insignificant as they were, they might send the flagship to the bottom of the bay, and every shot directed at them carried a prayer for its success. When within eight hundred yards the Olympia used her secondary battery, and almost drowned the torpedo-boats in a rain of projectiles. The one which suddenly paused, and then, coming on a few feet, blew up and sank with her crew. The other fled for the beach, and was found there the next day, (today) a mere sieve, battered and blood-stained." (Joel Evans, Aug 1898).
Well it is time for mess... I tell you what, this food sucks. last night one of our boys opened up a can of "Red Horse" and he put his nose above it and smelled it, he wrinkled his nose and spit. he passed it to all the others who did the same thing. What we called that can of "Red Horse became known as embalmed beef. (Keuchel, 1974). Holy crap does this stuff suck! Men are getting suck off this crap. Can you belive that we are getting served this junk, i miss taco bell. Well untill next time...this is Gunners-mate Micah Braun signing off.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
January 25, 1898.
Well great... I have made it to the year 1898 but i seem to have broke the flux-capacitor. This means that i am going to have to get used to wool shirts and uncomfortable shoes, no McDonald's for me for about a year. Well before i get into griping about this major hurtle of not having sloppy hamburgers, let me tell you what i had to do to get where I'm at now. You see I'm collage student at UNLV in Las Vegas...correction, I was attending UNLV until i signed up for this ride back in time. Dr. Tanenhaus, my history professor and head of the "Space and Time Continuum Project" at UNLV made us pick a year and fly to it in one of our time machines and then come back. Well that's were my problem is, i lost hydraulic pressure and could not get my landing gear down, thus i had to "belly in" behind a group of trees near the capitol. The only thing that is working is the long range Internet connection on my computer. I told them that we should have a back up hydraulic system on this damn thing! When i get back from this i am going to have a serious talk with the mechanic and Dr. T. Oh well lets make the best of it.
Well i have been here for the past few days and i have took notice that the nation has turned its eyes to Cuba and Spain. You see, for some time, Cuba has been wanting to gain its independence from its mother country of Spain. Well who can Blame them huh? I mean as someone who came from the future, or better yet, the citizens of the United States here back in 1898, we defiantly can understand that! As a matter of fact, i have been given a copy of a newspaper of the time rightly named The Advocate of Peace, from a young man who has befriended me as i was looking for cloths to change into so as i don't make a huge scene walking around town in a flight suit and jump boots. Well anyway back to the story, enclosed in this newspaper discusses President's McKinley's letter that he sent to congress in which he started out by saying, " Peace and goodwill with all the nations of the earth continue unbroken." (Advocate of Peace, Jan. 1898). Now this article did not just discuss the "Cuban question, " as everyone here calls it, but the more than one third of the who message! And to be honest i have found out that Cuba has been on the plate of the US government for quite some time now. You see, i have crashed into a time where the US was expanding its empire, that whole "manifest destiny thing" except the idea has spread internationally. I am in an age where the United States is trying to get a foot hold as o of the strongest powers in the world.
The president informs congress in his letter that his neutrality lies with Spain and states in regards to the forcible annexation of Cuba; " That cannot be thought of. That by our code of morality would be criminal aggression." (Advocate of Peace, Jan. 1898). Well it is going to be an interesting few days to be sure but for the time being i will have to log off. i have to go to the butcher to get steaks for dinner. What a joy, i cant wait until Mr. Sinclair writes The Jungle... I know i will sure appreciate the break from running to the bathroom! Until next time, this is Micah B saying I'll catch you on the flip side.
February 16, 1898.
Whoa Boys and Girls, Do i have a story for you Today!! Well things are getting pretty rocky today in congress You see for all of you back in 2009, if you open your text books to February 8, 1898 you will find that The Spanish Foreign Minister Dupoy severely criticized President McKinley. As todays copy of the Christian observer states, " Criticisms of Mr. McKinley were such that it made it necessary for our government to take actions in the matter. The state department promptly instructed Mr. Woodford, our Minister in Madrid to inform the Spanish Government that Mr. de Lome was no longer acceptable to our Government." (Christian Observer, February 16, 1898). Because i have this handy laptop with the cool Internet that stretches across time and space, i decided to look up this letter, thanks to technology, and i found some pretty interesting stuff but here is what made our government so angry. The online website can be located at https://www.spanamwar.com/delome.htm for those who wish to see the rest of the letter. Any way without further a due here is what made America angry: "Besides the Natural an inevitable coarseness with which he repeats all that the press and public opinion of Spain has said of Weyler, it shows once more what McKinley is: weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low politician, who desires to leave the door open to me and to stand well with the jingoes of his party." I later found out that the minister resigned his position in a wire back to Madrid, so god bye and good riddance to him!
Now i bet all of you in 2009 want to know just how the government came across such an interesting letter...well have no fear Micah your old friend is here with the scoop from the soup! OK sorry, i thought i would give you a rhyme...never mind. Well while i was readying the New York Times a few days ago, the 14th to be exact, I found the answer. You see, as i read the paper i came across an article tittled, Theft of Delome's Letter. I continued my read and found some pretty interesting things. I found out that Delome wrote this letter in his own private home and not in his office in Washington but the paper that he wrote the letter on had the official heading of Legation de Espana. The article states," Senior de Lome did not mail the letter from his house, in fact he had not completed it upon the morning it was written, and carried it to legation, where it was first seen and noticed by a person who, is in the employ of the embassy,
acting in a sub-official capacity." (The New York Times, February 14, 1898). Oh might i add that from what the article stated, this letter was in an open envelope on the minister's desk! It seems to me that if he did not want someone to open it, maybe he should have placed it in his Desk? I think there is something fishy going on in regards to this letter thing. Until Next time, this is Micah B and Ill Catch you on the Flip Side...
Well great... I have made it to the year 1898 but i seem to have broke the flux-capacitor. This means that i am going to have to get used to wool shirts and uncomfortable shoes, no McDonald's for me for about a year. Well before i get into griping about this major hurtle of not having sloppy hamburgers, let me tell you what i had to do to get where I'm at now. You see I'm collage student at UNLV in Las Vegas...correction, I was attending UNLV until i signed up for this ride back in time. Dr. Tanenhaus, my history professor and head of the "Space and Time Continuum Project" at UNLV made us pick a year and fly to it in one of our time machines and then come back. Well that's were my problem is, i lost hydraulic pressure and could not get my landing gear down, thus i had to "belly in" behind a group of trees near the capitol. The only thing that is working is the long range Internet connection on my computer. I told them that we should have a back up hydraulic system on this damn thing! When i get back from this i am going to have a serious talk with the mechanic and Dr. T. Oh well lets make the best of it.
Well i have been here for the past few days and i have took notice that the nation has turned its eyes to Cuba and Spain. You see, for some time, Cuba has been wanting to gain its independence from its mother country of Spain. Well who can Blame them huh? I mean as someone who came from the future, or better yet, the citizens of the United States here back in 1898, we defiantly can understand that! As a matter of fact, i have been given a copy of a newspaper of the time rightly named The Advocate of Peace, from a young man who has befriended me as i was looking for cloths to change into so as i don't make a huge scene walking around town in a flight suit and jump boots. Well anyway back to the story, enclosed in this newspaper discusses President's McKinley's letter that he sent to congress in which he started out by saying, " Peace and goodwill with all the nations of the earth continue unbroken." (Advocate of Peace, Jan. 1898). Now this article did not just discuss the "Cuban question, " as everyone here calls it, but the more than one third of the who message! And to be honest i have found out that Cuba has been on the plate of the US government for quite some time now. You see, i have crashed into a time where the US was expanding its empire, that whole "manifest destiny thing" except the idea has spread internationally. I am in an age where the United States is trying to get a foot hold as o of the strongest powers in the world.
The president informs congress in his letter that his neutrality lies with Spain and states in regards to the forcible annexation of Cuba; " That cannot be thought of. That by our code of morality would be criminal aggression." (Advocate of Peace, Jan. 1898). Well it is going to be an interesting few days to be sure but for the time being i will have to log off. i have to go to the butcher to get steaks for dinner. What a joy, i cant wait until Mr. Sinclair writes The Jungle... I know i will sure appreciate the break from running to the bathroom! Until next time, this is Micah B saying I'll catch you on the flip side.
February 16, 1898.
Whoa Boys and Girls, Do i have a story for you Today!! Well things are getting pretty rocky today in congress You see for all of you back in 2009, if you open your text books to February 8, 1898 you will find that The Spanish Foreign Minister Dupoy severely criticized President McKinley. As todays copy of the Christian observer states, " Criticisms of Mr. McKinley were such that it made it necessary for our government to take actions in the matter. The state department promptly instructed Mr. Woodford, our Minister in Madrid to inform the Spanish Government that Mr. de Lome was no longer acceptable to our Government." (Christian Observer, February 16, 1898). Because i have this handy laptop with the cool Internet that stretches across time and space, i decided to look up this letter, thanks to technology, and i found some pretty interesting stuff but here is what made our government so angry. The online website can be located at https://www.spanamwar.com/delome.htm for those who wish to see the rest of the letter. Any way without further a due here is what made America angry: "Besides the Natural an inevitable coarseness with which he repeats all that the press and public opinion of Spain has said of Weyler, it shows once more what McKinley is: weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low politician, who desires to leave the door open to me and to stand well with the jingoes of his party." I later found out that the minister resigned his position in a wire back to Madrid, so god bye and good riddance to him!
Now i bet all of you in 2009 want to know just how the government came across such an interesting letter...well have no fear Micah your old friend is here with the scoop from the soup! OK sorry, i thought i would give you a rhyme...never mind. Well while i was readying the New York Times a few days ago, the 14th to be exact, I found the answer. You see, as i read the paper i came across an article tittled, Theft of Delome's Letter. I continued my read and found some pretty interesting things. I found out that Delome wrote this letter in his own private home and not in his office in Washington but the paper that he wrote the letter on had the official heading of Legation de Espana. The article states," Senior de Lome did not mail the letter from his house, in fact he had not completed it upon the morning it was written, and carried it to legation, where it was first seen and noticed by a person who, is in the employ of the embassy,
acting in a sub-official capacity." (The New York Times, February 14, 1898). Oh might i add that from what the article stated, this letter was in an open envelope on the minister's desk! It seems to me that if he did not want someone to open it, maybe he should have placed it in his Desk? I think there is something fishy going on in regards to this letter thing. Until Next time, this is Micah B and Ill Catch you on the Flip Side...
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