This could be the fifth time I’ve seen this flick on HBO. It’s about the Whitechapel murders in 1888 London, the case of Jack the Ripper. The title is taken from the Lusk Letter that was posted with half a kidney by someone claiming to be The Ripper. The acting is good and, along with… Continue reading From Hell
What follows is a true story. -- "I'm going to lunch." The lieutenant rose from his desk, saw that his proclamation had stirred no interest, and walked out the door. The hallway of the second floor of Fort Benning's Infantry Hall (today: McGinnis-Wickham Hall) was generously wide with the white glare of too-bright neon lights… Continue reading The Salute
Just off I-40 in Tennessee, southeast of the Duck River Watering area, north of Only and just short of Bucksnort sits the unassuming Log Cabin Restaurant. The promise of “Homestyle Southern Eats” offered a welcome respite from the increasing monotony of my cross country drive. Having settled in, the attractive young waitress approached me. Yes,… Continue reading Straw is for Scarecrows
“General, this is deeply humiliating; but I console myself with the thought that the whole country will rejoice at this day’s business.” ~ A Confederate during the Civil War surrender ceremony, 12 April 1865. I admit to being somewhat red-faced to learn - as a West Point graduate and after all these years - that… Continue reading Appomattox Court House
I was in somewhat of a rush to return to Arizona from Virginia when I saw the sign. I’d been gone longer than what I had allotted for the trip. Then again, I had read about this battle on several occasions, ever since I was a kid, and both George Custer and his boss, Phil… Continue reading Washita
Chalk Dust 