Friday, September 28, 2007

The Crossing



I was watching the Crossing with Dad this evening and at the end of the movie General Washington asks how many of his men had been killed at the battle, the answer: none. We were wondering if that was really true or not so I logged onto the net to check it out and sure enough it was true. According to wikipedia two men died on the way there, but none were killed in battle. An additional piece of information surprised me though.

Only two Americans were wounded, both during the Americans' rush to capture Hessian artillery before they could be used in the battle. These wounded were officers: Captain William Washington (the General's cousin), who was badly wounded in both hands, and young Lieutenant James Monroe, the future President of the United States. Monroe was carried from the field bleeding badly after he was struck in the left shoulder by a musket ball, which severed an artery. Doctor John Riker clamped the artery, keeping him from bleeding to death.


None of this was anything I can ever remember hearing before. Wow. I guess you're always learning something.

2 comments:

EC Gefroh said...

I love that movie! We (my family) thought Jeff Daniels did a good job as Gen. Washington. Thanks for checking on that bit of trivia.

Athanasis Contra Mundum said...

I've never seen that. I'll have to rent it.

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Catholic and politically conservative, I graduated with a BA in History (concentration in American) and Political Science. I'm between two parishes; one in Wisconsin that is fairly traditional, and one in Illinois that is fairly liberal. I teach CCD. I work in the food service industry, which basically means I'm working in fast food until I find a better job. I'd like to work for the church somehow. Right now I'm working on getting my teaching certification, although I'm unsure thats the correct path for me. This blog is as random as I am. I hope you enjoy.