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matan4il · 4 months ago

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Hi Alice! All my love to you in these dark dark times. You've been instrumental to me learning more about what it's like in Israel on the ground right now, and helping me not get swept up in the vitriolic rhetoric so many of my fellow liberals are espousing. I've been horrified by some of the behavior I've seen from the pro-Palestine crowd. I quietly support both sides of the conflict, and hope to see a return of the hostages, a subsequent ceasefire, and a realistic path to a two-state solution in the near future.

I'm asking this in good faith because I trust your research and input on these things, and I'm curious about your perspective. TW for rape and torture. I've seen a report come out on one of the tumblrs I follow (who is very pro-Palestine and anti-Zionist, unfortunately, I only follow them for fandom content) stating that there's been torturous conditions inside Israeli prisons–Sde Teiman specifically–detaining Palestinians. It includes accusations of rape, beatings, and amputations due to injuries from being cuffed. I was wondering if you had seen this report and had thoughts about whether this is another anti-Israel smear campaign or a cruel reality of bad people doing bad things. I'm always inclined to believe victims, and as an American, I'm painfully aware of the atrocities that can happen in detentions centers, especially during wartime.

Please know I'm not accusing you of anything or trying to make this a gotcha thing! I'm curious about your thoughts as an Israeli who does good research and knows her country and history. Thank you again for all you do, and I'm so sorry to hear about your colleague's murder. May you and your loved ones find as much rest and peace as can be found in a time like this. Take care.

Hi Nonnie,

thank you so much for your kind words (especially regarding Alex), your humaneness and willingness to listen to Jews and Israelis! Absolutely, there is no contradiction in supporting regular people on both sides of this conflict. This is NOT a zero-sum game. Both sides can thrive, if we all choose and are just allowed to coexist.

Okay, the Sde Teiman accusations...

Let me start with the history of this army base, because it is relevant to how it was used.

In 1942, the Nazis landed in northern Africa, and were headed eastwards, toward the Land of Israel. As a part of getting ready for that, The British (who ruled Israel at the time) paved a strip of asphalt in the desert, not too far from the expected direction of the Nazis' invasion, and used it as an airfield. They also built a few hangars next to the runway, and this is what in the 1950's became the military base called Sde Teiman ("Field of Yemen," in honor of the Israeli's air force operation of airlifting the Jews of Yemen, and bringing them to Israel. Along with the operation to bring the Ethiopian and Indian Jews to Israel, these mark the only times when a "first world" country brought people from "third world" countries - with the goal of making them citizens with equal rights). I'm sharing this info, so everyone can get an idea of how small and insufficient this army base is for the purpose of detaining prisoners. And indeed, under normal circumstances, it is NOT used for that purpose.

However, when Hamas launches surprise attacks from Gaza, it has been used for temporary detention (until arrested terrorists can be transferred to more adequate facilities) simply because of its proximity to Israel's border with Gaza.

That's how it was used following the Oct 7 Hamas invasion of Israel, too. Things to note about this: Israel did not initiate the massacre and following war, so it didn't have time to prepare a better temporary detention center with personnel properly trained to be jailors, and also, while Sde Teiman had been used temporarily for terrorist detention before, it was never used for as many arrested terrorists as after Oct 7. Consider that on the day itself alone, around 3,500 terrorists invaded Israel, and that was just the first day of the war.

When it comes to general accusations of awful conditions there, which might lead to terrible consequences, a big part of it is probably down to the fact that this base was not meant for this purpose (and the fact that it was used this way is because of the nature of Hamas' attack rather than any intended maliciousness).

The conditions were all wrong as a result of the chaos of war regarding the sexual assault case, too. The guards were not trained to be jailors, they didn't have the right tools to deal with arrested terrorists, especially these terrorists, who belonged to the Nukhba, a Hamas "elite" unit and the main perpetrator of the massacre (the Nukhba to Hamas are like the Waffen SS to the Nazis, imagine what Israelis feel when they hear "Nukhba"). Think of the atrocities committed by these men: the rapes, the beheadings, the mutilations, the murder of children, the burning down of homes with people inside, the extermination of entire families, the destruction of Israel's southern communities, and the psychological trauma caused to the entire country, when many are already dealing with lots of trauma, including of the inter-generational kind. Now imagine being an ordinary reservist, a regular civilian, not someone who has chosen the army as a way of life, not someone who has seen the horrors off war recently (or maybe ever), someone with a family that could have easily been targeted on Oct 7, someone who isn't trained for how to jail the vilest of criminals, then tasked with guarding in over-crowded and extremely close settings such monsters while being psychologically affected by their terrorism (which is the main goal of terrorism! To terrorize even those not directly harmed!)...

Initially, 10 soldiers, who are all reservists, were arrested. Since then, it turns out only 5 of them will be indicted (indicating that there is no substantial evidence against the other 5) for supposedly sexually assaulting a Nukhba terrorist. Specifically, the Nukhba company commander of Jabalya. He's not any regular terrorist, he's someone who was a commander that partook in the Oct 7 massacre, he oversaw the committed atrocities, he didn't only commit crimes, he gave the orders. At least one of the suspected soldiers testified that this Nukhba commander was going haywire, and had to be physically subdued. According to reporters, a doctor initially checked this Nukhba commander and found no signs of abuse. Only later did the terrorist start bleeding from his behind. According to a submitted report by Prof. Alon Pikarsky, a senior doctor at Hadassah, the civilian hospital this terrorist was later admitted into, the harm to the terrorist's behind is most likely self-inflicted. Based on accounts from reporters, the overall medical and forensic testimonies submitted cannot confirm nor refute the claims of the Nukhba terrorist.

So when it comes to the case itself, I can't say much. The accusations are serious, the question marks are serious, and I don't have the professional tools to figure out where the truth lies. There will be a trial, more qualified people than me will decide.

Obviously, as an Israeli, I hope the accusations are false. Not because I think there is ANY society out there which is perfect, and in which no crimes ever take place, especially where extreme circumstances are involved, but because I think it's natural to hope for the best for one's people.

Where it comes to the people who tried to stop the arrest of the suspected soldiers, I believe they're in the wrong for multiple reasons: for the sake of justice, for the state of the Israeli justice system, and even for the sake of the soldiers, if it turns out they're innocent. At the same time, while I am NOT okay with the arrests being stopped, I can understand the sentiment. In Israel, especially post Oct 7, soldiers are our most immediate heroes. They risk themselves, they save countless lives, (even the ones "only" guarding terrorists know they could be killed doing this, and they're saving people by keeping the terrorists locked up), they're dealt shitty hands sometimes (like having to guard Nukhba terrorists when they're not even trained for it), and they do all this for us, as a collective, men and women, adults and kids, Jews and Arabs. We ALL owe them, every Israeli. So the sentiment is that there is something difficult to process about a situation where the word of a massacre-committing terrorist commander is believed over that of people who are perceived as heroes. It makes a protective side of people come out, even people who at the end accept that the justice system must do its thing.

And when it comes to the justice system, I think it matters SO MUCH that it will do its thing. No army can prevent every single one of its soldiers, as individuals, from committing crimes. But there are armies that, as a system, commit crimes. The justice system that prosecutes individual crimes is a part of the difference.

Still, even if the accusations are true, even while I'm happy they're investigated, I went into the details of the case, because I do believe that even at worst, there are extenuating circumstances. Those don't turn a wrong act into a right one, but they acknowledge that, under extreme circumstances, and without the right tools, many normative people without criminal intent might end up doing the wrong thing. The psychological burden of guarding extremist terrorists who have traumatized an entire society, including their guards, in close quarters and without the right training, it could be one that would make a lot of regular people crack. I'm glad I've never been tested like that. I'd like to believe I wouldn't have done the wrong thing, but who knows. We're all human, we all have our triggers. Especially in the face of complete evil that harmed our loved ones or threatens to. I feel lucky that I was never put in an extreme situation, like those soldiers, I hope they did the right thing, but I find it hard to morally judge them if they didn't, even where I recognize that if they did what they're accused of, they should be legally judged.

IDK if this helped, but I hope it at least reflects the fact that for quite a few Israelis ('coz I can't speak or all of us, but I think this probably represents a fair number of people), it is complicated, and not a clear-cut case of black and white, good vs evil...

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

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bravo4iscool · 9 months ago

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Hii, this this the person talkin about chubbier Simon! Give me a sec and let me set the stage for you,

Simon Riley x 141!reader whos on military leave to cope after a particularly hard mission. Reader finds a way of coping and expressing their love to simon through the art of cooking for him constantly. (i come from largely a guyanese and indian family so everyday theres always good food on the table) So we all know this man can eat ALOT (he needs to maintain his girlish figure after all😌lmao) So i can just IMAGINE him eating all the stews, curries, roti and rice (or whatever culture/country reader comes from)he can get his hands on! He would have such an appreciation for food from working in the military so long and having limited food he could eat. So going from a man of pure slabs of muscle to slabs of muscle but WITH softer abs he gets a little self conscious but he sees the benifits that hes getting alot with a great meal everyday and how his reader ogles him everyday hes starts to like the change. (Theres actually more benefits for having muscle and fat than just pure muscle!! When you see bodybuilders with just pure muscle the muscles in their whole body are constricted causing cramps and alot more muscle pulling in day to day life compared to heavy weight lifters who many not look as muscular but can lift much more while still having a strong core and overall more power)

Sorry to ramble and run but this has been rattling my brain. Have a great day and remember to drink water♡

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS OMG!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ASK!!! i‘m sorry i wasn’t able to answer it any sooner, i‘m in my last three weeks of school and it‘s kinda stressful🥲. i hope you can understand…

as someone who is russian-german i totally understand the whole food thing😭 (thats why reader will be russian-german lol. it‘s the only culture i really know about the food and all that (at least i think i know about the food🧍🏼). also, i do not know the english names of the food so i‘ll be using the terms i know.)

i hope you like this!!

(masterlist)

REQUESTS/ASKS OPEN!!!

„y‘cooking too good f‘me,“ simon mumbles as he puts his arms around your waist and pulls you into his chest. „‘m loosing all my muscles.“

you chuckle and turn your head to look at him. „that‘s not true! you‘re just developing a little more fluff.“ you smile and turn again to focus on the food you‘re preparing. „besides having muscles with a layer of fat is way healthier than just muscles.“ you can feel simon nod with his head rested on yours.

„what‘re y‘makin‘?“

„pelmeni,“ you answer, skilfully sticking the dough together so the meat would stay inside while you cook them. „i haven‘t made them for you till now.“

simon lowers his head so it‘s beside yours and examines the dough and meat in front of you. „thought we a’ready had ‘em two weeks ago?“

you shake your head and lick your bottom lip, trying to concentrate. „that were manti simon. they are made like…mochis. pelmeni are cooked in water.“

simon doesn‘t say anything and buries his nose in your neck. „t‘boys will laugh a‘me when we return,“ he mumbles as his lips ghost over your skin to leave little kisses.

„they won‘t,“ you protest and slightly slap his arm. „if anything they will be jealous!“ you dust your hands off and turn around in his arms. he looks at you and you start to frown. „you are not…insecure, are you?“ when simon just blinks at you without answering you take his face into your hands.

„you, simon riley, do not need to be insecure because you’re eating good. you’re not getting fat or losing muscles. if anything, you’re only getting healthier because the army food is total garbage and you’re finally getting some real food,“ you try to explain, withstanding his gaze the whole time. „don‘t beat yourself up over stuff like this.“ your voice is gentle as you caress his scarred face with your thumbs. „you deserve something good life. let me be that something.“

silence follows after you‘re done talking and you could swear you saw a tear in simon‘s eye but then he blinks and it is gone. „i don‘t deserve ya,“ he whispers, pulling you close again. „i don‘t deserve ya…“

„oh, but you do,“ you smile as you pull him down to press a gentle kiss on his lips. „you do deserve me and you also deserve my food.“ you put your arms around his waist and hug him. he does the same, keeping you close to him. he rests his head on yours and closes his eyes. he just wants to savour this moment…

#writing #ao3 #fanfiction #archive of our own #story writing #call of duty #simon riley #cod #ghost #simon ghost riley #simon riley x you #simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley x you #simon ghost riley x reader #ghost x you #ghost x reader #dad bod simon #dad bod simon riley

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whencyclopedia · 27 days ago

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Battle of Queenston Heights

The Battle of Queenston Heights (13 October 1812) was a major battle in the War of 1812. A US army, under General Stephen Van Rensselaer, crossed the Niagara River in an attempted invasion of Canada but was repulsed by a British, Canadian, and Mohawk force. The British victory came at the cost of General Isaac Brock, killed in the fighting.

Death of General Brock at Queenston Heights

John David Kelly (Public Domain)

Background: Fall of Detroit

In late June 1812, shortly after the United States had issued its declaration of war against the United Kingdom, the US began preparing for an invasion of British-controlled Canada. Ostensibly, the purpose of the invasion was to deprive Britain of a staging ground from where they could launch their own attack into US territory. But many of the 'War Hawks' – as the prowar faction in Congress was called – envisaged a more permanent outcome, believing that the invasion would result in Canada finally joining the Union. The annexation of Canada would greatly increase the United States' dominion over North America and would, in the words of one war-hungry congressman, "drive the British from our continent" (Berton, 98).

The invasion was to be four-pronged. Brigadier General William Hull, sitting with his 2,500-man army at Fort Detroit, would lead the first thrust, crossing over the Detroit River into Upper Canada (modern-day Southern Ontario). He would be followed by Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer, who would cross the Niagara River to capture Queenston, and by Major General Henry Dearborn, who would sail up Lake Champlain to capture Montreal, while a fourth US army crossed the St. Lawrence River to wreak havoc in Ontario. Most Americans believed it would be an easy campaign, that the Canadians, oppressed by the tyranny of British rule, would welcome their southern brethren with open arms. As former President Thomas Jefferson predicted, the invasion was expected to be nothing more than "a mere matter of marching" (Wood, 677).

But of course, it would not be so easy. General Hull began his invasion on 12 July, crossing over the Detroit River and establishing a base of operations at the small town of Sandwich, where he issued a proclamation calling on all Canadians to either join him or remain neutral. But Hull soon lost his nerve; deathly afraid of Native Americans, he was disturbed by reports of more Indigenous nations joining the British side and, moreover, feared that the arrival of enemy reinforcements could cut him off from US territory. On 8 August, after nearly a month of dithering on Canadian soil, he retreated to Detroit, where he was soon besieged by an Anglo-Indian force under Major General Isaac Brock and the great Shawnee chieftain Tecumseh. Brock and Tecumseh utilized psychological warfare to convince Hull that their army was larger than it really was, leading the American general to surrender both his army and Detroit without a fight on 16 August. The Siege of Detroit not only thwarted the first part of the US invasion but also left the British in control of the entire Michigan Territory.

Hull was widely castigated for his defeat – indeed, he would later be court-martialed and sentenced to death, before the sentence was commuted to dismissal from the army. But he had at least set foot on Canadian territory, which was more than can be said about his counterparts. General Van Rensselaer had tried, but he did not have the necessary supplies or reinforcements to mount a successful crossing; what militia forces he did have refused to cross the Niagara, arguing that they were merely a defensive force and were not obliged to fight outside the United States. General Dearborn, likewise, was stuck at Albany, New York, unable to fill the enlistment quotas needed for an attack. "We have as yet a shadow of a regular force," his second-in-command would write, "inferior, even in numbers, to half of what the enemy already has in the field" (Taylor, 182). Dearborn was therefore relieved when, on 9 August, a British major arrived at his camp to offer an armistice. Dearborn readily accepted before passing along news of the armistice to President James Madison for his approval and instructing Van Rensselaer, his subordinate, to do nothing that might provoke the British. The invasion had, therefore, completely failed, leaving the US in a worse position as the armistice settled over the Niagara frontier.

#History #CanadianHistory #MilitaryHistory #SirIsaacBrock

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astoldbyaja · 5 months ago

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The Pink Blossom Ch.1

Nathan and his former slave Grace are taken captive by Katsumoto and his samurai. As Nathan heals in Taka's home, Grace is watched in Ujio's. The tough samurai is not silent with his hatred for the American soldier, but he cannot fight the common curiosity that many have in the village upon getting to meet their first African. What starts as genuine curiosity turns into a deep love the two never thought possible, being from different worlds. This is Grace's story from being a prisoner to being loved by a samurai.

****Please note some racial slurs in this fic!!!****

“Stay close.” I remember him saying. War was no place for an African servant woman like me, but Nathan Algren kept me at his side from the Indian wars to the trouble that was going on in Japan.

There was a samurai led rebellion going on against Japan’s emperor, Meiji. Nathan’s old commanding officer, Colonel Bagely had found Nathan and asked him to help train the Imperial Japanese Army, for a Japanese businessman by the name of Omura, to stop this rebellion. I knew Nathan’s hatred for the colonel, but he needed the money and so he agreed. We were accompanied by his old friend sergeant Zebulon Grant and British translator Simon Graham.

Zebulon looked at me with indifference like most did, but Simon was a complete gentleman when speaking to me.

When Nathan’s wife died, Nathan lost everything, but his status as a soldier kept him going and I would not abandon him.

We were given lodging at an Inn. I didn’t leave unless Nathan was with me. It seemed my presence either made the local people curious or they were afraid of me. There are not many Africans in Japan. I recall Colonel Bagley making a snide remark about me being the only “nigger in all of Japan”. I brought Nathan some food and sat across from him.

“You’re worried.” I noted and he sighed heavily moving his fork about his food.

“These men know nothing about combat. They’re peasants, some of who have never even picked up or handled a weapon. It’s a shame.” he told.

“But with you here, they’ll learn.” I said trying to remain hopeful. Nathan shook his head.

“Not in time to go against Katsumoto.” he replied. I winced unable to understand the name.

“Katsuwho?” I asked. He grinned at me.

“Katsumoto. He is the leader of the samurai rebellion.” he replied.

“He is dangerous, like the Indians?” I asked. Nathan smiled warmly and moved his hand to rest atop of mine.

“Nothing will happen to you. Not while I’m alive.”

During training, Nathan was told the samurai were attacking one of the railroads owned by Omura. He protested that the men were not ready, but he was still commanded to prepare to fight.

Two horses were getting prepared for us both to ride out tomorrow.

“Are you sure I should go?” I asked. Nathan winced.

“Grace, I don’t want to take you, but I will not leave you here. I don’t know the Japanese ways or their views on freed slaves. You know our plan, if I fall in battle, you ride out of there, ride until you are away from the danger. Never stop.”

But now it was morning, and the fog was heavy as I was riding on the rear on my horse with Col. Bagley who was not pleased in the first place with me coming along. The forest is not yet awake yet. We should not be invading the nature. I could see Nathan up front as I was surrounded by Japanese men walking and looking about. They were afraid and so was I. I always tell myself, when Nathan brings me along on these endeavors that maybe I should stay behind somewhere safe, but there is nowhere safe for me without Nathan close by.

I always feared being put in chains again, and I saw Nathan as my only protector because he looked like the very people who enslaved me. My horse was moving along in stride, but something had spooked it, because it was not wanting to continue walking. Did it know danger was close? I looked forward toward Nathan to see him looking wary of the forest. He glanced back at me, and I gave a gentle stare to him. He then stopped the army and my chest tightened. Something was coming, the distant fog was angry and roared at us. Someone was coming. It was not the forest, but the enemy ahead coming at us.

Shadows of shapely ghosts charged toward us. I covered my mouth in shock and fear. They were like demons!

“Assume firing positions!” Nathan yelled.

The soldiers stood with their shaky guns pointed at the wave of people coming to kill them. I was told to wear black so I would blend in with the trees and not be spotted should I be separated from Nathan or any other familiar faces. My curls were pulled back in a neat bun and my gloves were as thick as the dark coat Nathan gave me that kept me warm and protected.

I myself had to be ready. I heard a single gunshot, and I was now being thrown from my horse. I yelled out as I hit the ground, my mind and vision hazy. I groaned hard as I looked up and men being stabbed and butchered like animals. The sea of demons rode through them smiting them.

I had managed to crawl over to a tree away from the battle it seemed. My heart was pounding and my hair was covering my face as I hugged this tree for comfort. I had never seen war up close before. Even during the Indian wars, I remained in a tent or home with other slaves. I even served a few of the generals who Nathan served under to better serve in his favor.

These men were indeed not ready to face combat. My eyes widened as I watched these… samurai stab into the men, cutting their throats and dismembering them. God protect me from this carnage! My body was convulsing in utter fear as I watched arrows fly through the air and puncture men. An arrow hit the tree I was at and I yelped and turned back around trying to catch my breath. I had to run. No, not yet I had to find Nathan!

I was looking for him now in the bloodshed and as I did, I noticed one of them had rode up fast and speared Zebulon in the chest. My eyes widened and I screamed as he fell to the ground.

“GRANT!” I hear Nathan yell. I watched as a shadow in red dismounted his horse and approached the fallen man. He raised his sword high and my eyes widened as he plunged it deep into the man’s stomach. He let out a painful yell and I covered my mouth thinking I would vomit. My eyes moved wildly as I looked for Nathan and saw he was flung from his horse and surrounded by enemies. I cried out in pain for him.

I then saw one of the shadows coming at me with a sword raised and my eyes widened as I felt my heart jump from my chest. I got up and ran from the tree, holding my dress up as it was dirty and heavy from the mud I fell in.

Where was I to go, what was I to do? I felt an enormous weight tackle me to the ground and I screamed as I was pinned to the ground, and I felt a cold blade at my throat. My throat would be slit and I would be left bleeding on the ground. I couldn’t even look for my friend- my protector.

I heard angry yelling and words, but I could not understand them. My brain rattled in my mind as I was suddenly forced on my feet and a firm grip clutched my scalp causing me to scream and take hold of the hand that held me. Now I didn’t hear hardly any screaming, and I looked around. For a moment all I saw were trees and I saw Nathan on the ground and I winced. He was hurt.

“Nathan!” I shouted and once more angry words were shouted at me, and I struggled against the grip that was going to pull my hair from my scalp. Now I was standing in front of a calm eyed man, his samurai uniform seemed to stand out more than the others. I was then forced to my knees and my head forced to look up at him. My face is wet from tears. He stared at me for a moment looking me over as if confused, but also bewildered by the sight of me. He then took some type of pouch and poured it over my face. I spluttered at the cool water that soaked into my dress. He ran his hand over my face, not hard, but with enough pressure as if trying to wipe something off me.

He looked at his gloved hand and then at me.

“You are…African.” he said in such a thick surprised accent, that I almost didn’t catch it. He spoke English. I just stared at him, and he just looked at me again. He shouted something at the man who held me, and now I was being forced up and away. What would they do to me? I turned and looked at Nathan to see two men were lifting him up and tying his hands. What would they do to him? I felt my wrists being placed together in front of me and I was being led to a black horse. More words were shouted at me, and I took the hint to get on its back. I kept my eyes on Nathan as he was very far from me. I sniffled and attempted to wipe my face, as I assumed we would be separated through this journey.

My horse did not move, and so I took the time to look at the battle field before me. There were bodies everywhere, and only one dead samurai, the samurai in red.

I noticed the samurai who spoke to me before standing in front of General Hasegawa who was on his knees with a sword in his hands. I had never spoken to him, but I had seen him before many times. The blade was pressed to his abdomen, and my eyes were fixated on the scene. The samurai raised his sword and seemed to be waiting. In seconds, the general thrust the blade into his own stomach and the samurai let out a powerful yell as his blade swiped across the general’s head and I yelped as I watched the elderly man’s head roll on the ground.

I have seen death among my people, so my stomach did not churn like it normally would, and I did not vomit. But seeing death in another country, would haunt me for quite the rest of my life.

Finally all the samurai were all together and the horses were moving. It was over. I could see Nathan in the middle of this long line, and I wondered if he was okay. He had bought me for his wife Sarah, and I was afraid of the horror this family would put me through, but if anything they were very kind to me. They did not hurt me even though they had the right to. Sarah taught me to read and write, and Nathan was supportive of her decision to teach me. This is why I cared for him.

I heard birds chirping all around me as well as our captives talking amongst each other. The forest is now awake. I looked up at the sky seeing nothing but clouds and the faces of the dead.

I then noticed something tugging on the hem of my dress and I looked down to see one of the samurai observing my dress. In reaction, I gasped and leaned back from his hold. Like that had any effect on this man. He held the dress up a little as if attempting to look under it, and I moved my feet a bit in duress.

“Don’t touch me!” I said with fear in my tone.

“Grace?” Nathan’s voice snaps my mind from any fear, and I looked up at him. He was hunched over a horse, and I leaned forward.

“I’m here.” I replied. Another Samurai shouted at me, and I remained quiet. Nathan looked at me with weak and tired eyes, and I gave a look of hope. I do not know how long we traveled in this never-ending forest. But I was hungry and tired. Another samurai, came up to the horse I was riding, and pulled me faster across the line. I was nervous now, as I knew something was going to be done to me. I passed Nathan and was at the head of the line. Now I was riding right beside the calm samurai as I call him. He was looking straight ahead and seemed to be enjoying the silent ride. Finally, his lips parted to speak.

“My name is Katsumoto. What is your name?” he asked, and I was still in aw for the fact he could speak good English. So this was the leader of the rebellion. I was staring at his peaceful features, until his eyes fell on me, and I jumped a bit forgetting that he had spoken to me.

“Grace.” I replied softly, and he blinked rapidly.

“Grace.” he said suddenly bowing his head at me. “I have never met an African before in my life. It is an honor to meet you.” I stared at him for a long moment wondering what I should say next. He sounded sincere in his words.

“Are you going to kill us?” I asked causing a samurai who was riding beside him to snort and laugh. Katsumoto gave a polite smile.

“No. I have other plans. You will be perfectly safe at my son’s village. My best warrior, Ujio will take care of you.” he informed motioning his head at a rough faced samurai behind him. His hair was perfectly combed back and flowing. I had never seen such a mane on a man before. He head a mustache and a neat shaven beard. He wore blue and grey armor with a yellow ring on the front, and he looked at me firmly and coldly, and honestly, he scared me. I remember seeing that ring. It belonged on the rider that pushed his horse into Nathan’s knocking him from his own horse. Now I looked back at Katsumoto.

“Your son’s village?” I asked. He nodded.

“In the mountains, yes. The snow is falling and the paths will be closed until the snow melts. You will remain there. You cannot escape.” he said quite calmly, yet there was a hint of command in his tone. I looked back at Nathan to see his weak eyes staring at me. “I hope we can have great conversations, you and I. I am most curious of you.”

I turned my head back around at his words and wondered what he meant by that. Soon we were riding into the mountains, and my eyes were moving everywhere they could. I have never really been in the mountains before. It was so nice and peaceful. Nathan and I kept our eyes on each other making sure neither were hurt by our captors, but Katsumoto seemed to keep his word. No one hurt us. When we stopped to rest the horses and eat, I was forced to sit down against a large rock, and I continued to look around for Nathan to see him also placed roughly against a tree. I needed to check his wounds.

That same warrior, Ujio, approached me and I looked up at him leaning into the rock. From where I sat, he looked to be a giant. He tossed a bowl down to my feet and inside looked to be rice and some vegetables maybe. I looked up at him and he just looked down at me with the same indifferent look as the late Zebulon. He turned and left me. I ate in silence, noticing the food tasted like nothing. I noticed more of the samurai began to point and stare and touch their own faces.

I guess I was the first African they have ever seen. Would that play in my favor with these savage killers? After an hour we continued to move through the mountains. I was hurting my neck looking back at Nathan who seemed to be in a weakened trance.

Finally, we arrived at what looked like a village. My eyes went everywhere in curiosity, having never seen such fields. There were even mountains in the back. Katsumoto noticed this and watched me for a moment.

Nathan and I were taken from our horses. He was forced to the ground, and I was forced to stand. My hands were still bound, and I just stared at the samurai who surrounded us.

Katsumoto got off his horse and walked over to Nathan. Another younger man stood beside Katsumoto. He had an outfit of yellow hues with arrows on his back. Like all the samurai, he had long hair and fierce eyes.

“What is your name?” he asked Nathan who said nothing but stared at him with contempt. Ujio shouted something angrily and walked over to Nathan with his sword out. I thought he was going to kill him, but instead he let his blade fall calmly on Nathan’s neck. But my master was not afraid of death.

He had looked it in the eye too much. I remember holding him while he yelled and screamed at the pain he was in from killing all the Indians. He didn’t care about his life anymore. Katsumoto said something in his mother tongue, before telling Nathan what he told me. We would remain in his son’s village until the snow melts. He then began to walk away and the same man in yellow nodded.

“Jolly good.” he said before turning as well. Nathan was lifted off his feet and I was being pushed forward as we were led past some long wooden gates. I had seen them in books Nathan gave me when teaching me to read. It was like a doorway into another world for me. The rough samurai, Ujio came up to me, and grabbed the ropes that held my wrists together and he led me from the rest of the group. Fear overcame me, and I wondered what was to become of me in this samurai’s capture.

#hiroyuki sanada #sanada hiroyuki #blackfemoc #the last samurai #ujioxblackfemoc #nathan algren #Taka #katsumoto #Nobutada #emperor meiji #smut #mixed couple #ambw #ambw smut #Samurai #ujio

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theanviksha · 2 months ago

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Hanuman Swaroop: A Unique Dussehra Tradition of Panipat

Dussehra is celebrated with immense devotion and excitement across India. While cities like Kolkata, Mysore, and Cuttack are famous for their grand celebrations, Gujarat is known for its garba and dandiya nights, North Indians invite the Goddess into their homes through Jagrata and Kanjika bhojan and organise Ram Leela performances, there Panipat has preserved a unique tradition that turns the festival into a form of penance - the tradition of Hanuman Sabha.

What distinguishes Panipat from the rest of India is that instead of paying a tribute to a form of Shakti, the divine feminine of Hinduism or to Shri Ram’s victory over demon Ravan, Panipat celebrates the devotion and power of Lord Hanuman.

In Panipat, men dress up as Lord Hanuman, becoming Hanuman Swaroop during Dussehra. This transformation is not merely a performance but an act of devotion, one that requires immense mental and physical discipline. The journey to become Hanuman Swaroop involves a strict 41-day vow of celibacy, intense prayer, and dedication.

The Sacred Preparation

To embody Lord Hanuman is not as simple as wearing a costume. The devotees must purify their mind and body through strict adherence to ritual and customs. For 41 days, these men live away from their families, practising celibacy and staying in temples or rented homes. During this period, they avoid salted food, walk barefoot, sleep on the ground, and avoid touching or coming into contact with any woman. They commission Mukut (crown) of Lord Hanuman, which normally weighs 15-20 Kilos, bring it to their place of stay with great pomp and show and worship it four times a day. Some people follow this ritual for the entire 41 days, while some follow it for the last 11 days.

This practice is deeply spiritual and reflective of the devotees’ commitment to Brahmacharya (celibacy) and self-restraint. It’s believed that only by this purification can they truly embody the spirit of Hanuman.

Becoming Hanuman Swaroop

From Ashtami (the eighth day of Navratri), these devotees take on the full form of Hanuman. They tie ghungroos (ankle bells) to their feet, cover their bodies with sindoor (vermilion), and wear the imposing crown. This heavy adornment symbolises the weight of responsibility they now bear as they become living incarnations of Hanuman, blessing the people of Panipat.

For the next few days, they roam the streets, blessing people, dancing with elation while chanting "Jai Shree Ram" and "Jai Hanuman". Their presence fills the city with spiritual energy, and the chants of devotion and beats of drums echo through the streets all night long. Even children join in this tradition,becoming little adorable versions of Hanuman Swaroop, fondly called Banar Sena (army of apes that fought for Shri Ram).

The residents of Panipat invite the Hanuman Swaroop and their entourage to their homes. They do their aarti, offer bhog, take blessings and dance and celebrate with them.

A Tradition Rooted in History

This unique practice is said to have been brought to Panipat by the Laiyya community after Partition. For them, this tradition became a way to build identity and find solace in a time of displacement. Over the years, the practice has become synonymous with Panipat’s Dussehra, deeply embedded in the city’s cultural fabric.

Dussehra Beyond Hanuman Swaroop

The celebrations in Panipat don’t stop with Hanuman Swaroop. The city also hosts vibrant Ram Leela performances, reenacting the epic battle between Lord Ram and Ravan. On Dussehra day, effigies of Ravan, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran are set ablaze, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The air is thick with excitement and devotion, as people gather to witness these powerful moments.

Following the victory of Ram, the festival culminates in Bharat Milap, a celebration of the reunion between Ram and his brother Bharat, symbolising love, loyalty, and devotion. This heartwarming event brings the grand festivities to a close, leaving behind a message of unity and righteousness.

Panipat’s Hanuman Sabha reminds us of the power of tradition, devotion, and discipline in today's fast-paced world. The practice of becoming Hanuman Swaroop—a fusion of spiritual devotion and physical endurance—is a rare sight that preserves the essence of Dussehra in its purest form.

If you’ve ever had the chance to witness this unique Dussehra celebration, you’ll know it’s more than just a festival. It’s a reflection of faith, sacrifice, and the timeless connection between humans and their gods.

How do you celebrate Dussehra in your hometown? Let me know in the comments!

#desi tumblr #desiblr #dussehra #panipat #panipat's dussehra #durga puja #hanuman #hanuman sabha

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tlatollotl · 2 years ago

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youtube

Dr Stannard covers historical records of events, including suffering by Native American peoples, some accounts graphic however accurate.

- For 400 years from the first Spanish assaults against the Arawak people of Hispaniola in the 1490s to the U.S. Army's massacre of Sioux Indians at Wounded Knee in the 1890s the indigenous inhabitants of North and South America endured an unending firestorm of violence. During that time the native population of the Western Hemisphere declined by as many as 100 million people. Indeed, as historian David E. Stannard argues in this stunning new book, the European and white American destruction of the native peoples of the Americas was the most massive act of genocide in the history of the world.

Stannard begins with a portrait of the enormous richness and diversity of life in the Americas prior to Columbus's fateful voyage in 1492. He then follows the path of genocide from the Indies to Mexico and Central and South America, then north to Florida, Virginia, and New England, and finally out across the Great Plains and Southwest to California and the North Pacific Coast. Stannard reveals that wherever Europeans or white Americans went, the native people were caught between imported plagues and barbarous atrocities, typically resulting in the annihilation of 95 percent of their populations. What kind of people, he asks, do such horrendous things to others? His highly provocative answer: Christians. Digging deeply into ancient European and Christian attitudes toward sex, race, and war, he finds the cultural ground well prepared by the end of the Middle Ages for the centuries long genocide campaign that Europeans and their descendants launched and in places continue to wage against the New World's original inhabitants. Advancing a thesis that is sure to create much controversy, Stannard contends that the perpetrators of the American Holocaust drew on the same ideological wellspring as did the later architects of the Nazi Holocaust.

#native american #history #lecture

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manasastuff-blog · 2 months ago

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"Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's Birth Anniversary"#trending#viral

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's Birth Anniversary 2024 is a special day to remember the Missile Man of India and his inspiring legacy. Celebrated on October 15th, this day marks a tribute to his contributions in science, education, and nation-building.

Call:799799221

Website:www.manasadefenceacademy.com

#APJAbdulKalam#KalamBirthAnniversary#MissileManOfIndia#Inspiration#DefenceTraining#ManasaDefenceAcademy#IndianArmy#NDA#SSBInterview#DefenceAspirants#trending#viral

#Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's Birth Anniversary #APJ Abdul Kalam 2024 #Dr Kalam birth anniversary celebration #Missile Man of India #APJ Abdul Kalam inspiration #APJ Abdul Kalam quotes #Indian defence aspirants #Manasa Defence Academy training #NDA preparation 2024 #SSB interview tips #Indian Army training academy #Coast Guard training #Navy aspirants India #yoga and defence training #Indian Airforce aspirants #higher studies with defence training #physical training retired Army officer #defence academy in Visakhapatnam

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newspatron · 1 year ago

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Conquer the Battlefield: Your Ultimate Guide to NDA Exams

Unleash your inner warrior! Share your NDA exam dreams, questions, and tips in the comments below!

Step onto the Battlefield of Dreams: Cracking the NDA Exam with Confidence Ever dreamt of donning the olive green, of soaring amidst the clouds, or commanding the vast canvas of the ocean? The National Defence Academy ( NDA exam ) could be your gateway to transforming these dreams into reality. But conquering this coveted path demands not just unwavering ambition, but also a strategic roadmap…

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#Air Force #Army #career guidance #defence academy #Indian Armed Forces #medical test #Navy #NDA exams #NDA preparation #NDA strategies #NDA syllabus #NDA tips #NDA written test #officer training #SSB interview

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stephensmithuk · 6 months ago

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"Army-crammer"

You may be wondering what one of these was, so I'll give a quick explanation.

An idea imported from Imperial China, where it had been going since the end of the 6th Century CE, the British at this time had a series of competitive exams you would do if you wanted to join the civil service (either UK or Indian) or become an officer in the British Army. These has been introduced to improve the quality of the men in the organisations and get rid of the problems caused by patronage by selecting on merit.

You would take this exam, covering a wide range of topics from the classics (of course) to modern languages to geography. If you passed, you were eligble for a role, although still needed to undergo the other sorts of checks you still do for employment today - background checks, health checks and also oral testing to make sure you knew your stuff.

Some more stuff here:

I think the "Modern Major-General Song" was influenced by this - officers who had a lot of broad knowledge, but not that much of use in a military context. Although the croaking chorus from The Frogs of Aristophanes would make a great password.

youtube

You would have various organisations, either tutors or full-time schools, to help young men prepare for these exams.

The exams are largely a thing of the past in the UK, but are still very much around in India, where the UPSC to join their civil service is considered possibly the toughest exam in the world:

Those who got into the Army officer training programme would either go to the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich (for the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers) or the Royal Military College in Sandhurst (infantry and cavalry).

However, while these exams were designed to make the Army more merit-based, it still tended to be the richer guys who ended up as "Ruperts". You had to buy a lot of your own kit and maintain it too. You still do have to pay for full ceremonial dress (generally red or black), No. 1 Dress (blue, for ceremonial events) and "mess dress", which is basically the military equivalent of evening wear.

This uniform could be bought from various places, including the Army & Navy Stores, a chain of department stores run by officers from both as a co-operative. Their stores covered a whole range of stuff for soldiers and their families, ranging from groceries to guns. They even expanded to India, although those branches went with independence. In 1973, they were bought out by House of Fraser; a chain that has had a bad last few years, with a large number of its stores closed or closing.

You can get allowances and tax relief on uniform costs today. There is also a big second-hand market.

Also, living the lifestyle associated with being an officer and a gentlemen wasn't cheap. You had to pay your mess bills, ensure that your sword was in good condition, keep up a decent social life etc.

Professor Moriarty from the Sherlock Holmes also was an army coach in his past, by the way.

#letters from bunny #history #factoids #the wrong house #raffles #WRON #Youtube

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timetraveltasting · 4 months ago

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MINUTAL MATIANUM (ROMAN PORK WITH APPLES, 1st c.)

It's a been a tougher week than usual - my husband broke his leg and had surgery, and I'm dealing with some dental pain - but amongst it all, I thought it would be a good idea to treat ourselves with a Tasting History dish that is especially hearty and comforting: Minutal Matianum (Roman Pork with Apples). From the quintessential Roman source by Apicius from the 1st c., De Re Coquinaria, this meat dish is made using ingredients that would have been available to Roman soldiers in Britain, near forts in the area of Hadrian's Wall. This hearty dish was probably closer to what the officers of the Roman army would have eaten rather than the foot soldiers, however. I decided to make this dish because my husband and I have enjoyed most of the Roman recipes I've made so far, and Max exclaimed this was the best Roman dish even he had made so far. We hope this dish provides us with the fortitude of a Roman soldier on the frontiers! See Max’s video on how to make the dish here or see the ingredients and process at the end of this post, sourced from his website.

My experience making it:

As usual for me with Roman recipes, I struggled to compile all of the specific listed ingredients, but I did my best! I sourced a pork shoulder from our local butcher, and for the ground meat, I used a mix of 60% beef and 40% pork (a very common mixture here in Germany). For the pork roast rub, I used oil, a bit of salt, lots of pepper, and a tablespoon and a half of linden tree blossom honey. For the meatballs, I didn't use any egg to bind them, as I didn't have any on hand. Instead of garum, I used an Asian fish sauce (which Max suggests as a substitute). For the apples, I used some sweet Pink Lady apples (which I definitely snacked on while I was cooking). Instead of the long pepper Max used, I used the tablespoon of peppercorns. I decided to omit the asafoetida completely, as I couldn't find it at 4 different supermarkets, including the bio-supermarket and the Turkish supermarket. I've recently learned that I should look instead at an Indian supermarket, so now I'm on the hunt for one! I reduced grape juice myself to make defrutum, as Saba seems a little expensive. Instead of starch/cornflour, I used regular white flour, since I think they would function fairly similarly.

First, I set out making the rub for the pork roast. Nice and simple with olive oil, salt, pepper, and honey, I loved that I could customize this part to my tastes (give me that sharp pepper taste!). Next, because I didn't have a roasting rack, I made one myself out of tin foil by taking a large sheet, rolling it into a snake shape, and curving it into a zig-zag pattern on top of a layer of tinfoil at the bottom of my pan. It fit the pork perfectly, and then I added the rub and tossed it in the oven. My pork shoulder was just over 2 pounds, so I roasted it for just over 2 hours. While it was cooking, I rolled my meatballs (sans egg), ground my spices for the sauce in the mortar and pestle (which took awhile), and chopped and portioned the ingredients for the next steps. When the pork was almost done cooking, I began cooking the meatballs in olive oil, also adding in the leeks. I added in the chicken stock and garum, stirring to get any bits from the bottom to release their flavour.

While this cooked on the stovetop, the pork roast was ready to take out of the oven. It looked wonderful and smelled delicious! I let it sit for a little bit, then chopped it into cubes and added them to the pot with the meatballs. I added in the cilantro, then a little bit more chicken stock so the pork and meatballs were 3/4 submerged and sizzling nicely in the juices. I simmered it for 15 minutes, then added the apple chunks. I simmered it further, but for less than the 20 minutes in the recipe (more like 15). I portioned the meat and apples into our serving bowls to cool a little while I prepared the quick sauce, being sure to leave some of the juices in order to provide the base to the sauce. I added the juices, defrutum, white wine vinegar, garum, and honey to a pot, added the crushed spices/herbs, and brought it to a light boil, stirring often. I made a roux with some flour by mixing a bit of water into it, then added it to my sauce to thicken it. By the looks of it, I think I ended up thickening it a decent amount more than Max did, but I like a thicker sauce, so I wasn't too upset about that. I took it off the heat once it was combined and thickened, and drizzled it over the pork, meatballs, and apples. It looked absolutely scrumptious - the sauce added a nice silky shine to the meat, the leeks added a pretty green, the peppercorns some texture, and the apples a beautiful yellow and red pop of colour. I served the Minutal Matianum with a side Greek Salad to balance the heaviness of the meat.

My experience tasting it:

I made sure my first bite was with pork, apple, and some sauce - it was very tasty! The pork was tender enough, but I might have overcooked it just a little. Luckily, the tougher, hearty texture was balanced by the crisp and light flavour of the apple and the acidity, sweetness, spice-infused, and herbed flavour of the silky gravy-like sauce. Like Max mentioned, the sauce first tastes a bit sour due to the vinegar, but it melts into a sweetness from the defrutum and honey. It is still a very 'Roman' flavour of sauce - I could taste hints of the previous Roman sauces I have made in other dishes in this one, but this one was more like a gravy, and maybe more in line with the modern palate. In terms of herbs and spices, I found that peppercorn and cilantro were the most forward in the sauce - the mint and cumin were just barely there. I decided to make my next bite a meatball with some sauce, apple and leek: an absolute winning combo! I don't always have time to make a pork roast, so I can't see myself making Minutal Matianum often in its complete form, but I will most certainly make the sauce with apples and meatballs again in the future. Like Max, my husband and I both agreed this is our favourite of the Roman dishes I've made so far. This is a great meal for late fall/early winter, and I will probably make it again as the weather gets colder this fall. If you end up making this dish, if you liked it, or if you changed anything from the original recipe, do let me know!

Links to harder-to-find ingredients:

Long Pepper

Flor de Garum

Colatura di Alici (Garum substitute)

Saba (Defrutum)

Asafoetida

Minutal Matianum (Roman Pork with Apples) original recipe (1st c.)

Sourced from De Re Coquinaria by Apicius, 1st century.

Put oil, garum, stock, chopped leek and cilantro and small ground meatballs in a pot. Chop previously cooked shoulder of pork with skin into cubes. Cook all together. Half-way through cooking add cored and diced Matian apples. While it cooks, grind pepper, cumin, cilantro and coriander seed, mint, and silphium root, pour in vinegar, honey, garum, defrutum, and some of the cooking liquid. Adjust the flavors with vinegar. Bring to a boil. Add broken tracta to thicken. Sprinkle pepper and serve.

Modern Recipe

Based on De Re Coquinaria by Apicius (1st c.) and Max Miller’s version in his Tasting History video.

Ingredients:

Roasted Pork

Pork shoulder

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Honey

Pork and Apples

1 tbsp olive oil

3/4 lb (340g) ground pork or beef, shaped into 1” balls

1 cup chopped leek

1 cup (235ml) chicken stock, plus extra as needed

2 teaspoons garum*

Small handful chopped cilantro

1 lb (450g) roasted pork, cut into cubes

1 lb (450g) sweet apples, cored and cut into about 1” pieces

Sauce

1 tsp cumin

2 tsp chopped cilantro

1 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tsp chopped mint

4 long peppers or 1 tbsp of peppercorns

1/2 tsp asafoetida

1/4 cup (60ml) white wine vinegar

2 tbsp honey

1 tsp garum*

1/4 cup (60ml) defrutum**

1/4 cup (60ml) cooking liquid from the pork and apples

2 tsp starch or cornflour

*Garum was a fermented fish sauce that was used in a lot of ancient Roman cooking. You can buy a modern equivalent or use an Asian fish sauce.

**Defrutum was a 1/3 reduction of grape must. Today, Saba is pretty much the same thing. It can be expensive, so you can reduce some grape juice instead.

Method:

For the roasted pork: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with foil, then place a roasting rack on top of it.

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and honey. There should be enough to coat the pork roast. Adjust the amounts to your liking.

Brush the olive oil mixture onto the pork, then roast for 15 minutes.

Lower the temperature to 275°F (135°C) and cook for about an hour per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).

For the pork and apples: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the meatballs and leeks and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they start to brown.

Deglaze the pot with the chicken stock and garum. Toss in the cilantro and roasted pork. Add enough additional chicken stock so that it covers the bottom of the pot.

Simmer for 15 minutes, adding more stock if necessary.

Add the apples, then cook for another 20 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked.

For the sauce: Grind the spices and herbs with a mortar and pestle, then put them in a saucepan with the liquid ingredients. Stir together and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Mix the starch with a little water, then add it to the sauce. Simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens.

To serve: Dish the pork and apples into a bowl, drizzle with the sauce, and serve it forth.

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wormsngods · 21 days ago

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Random updates

Didn't post in a few days. The Army successfully crushed the protest, I woke up at 10 for a 8 AM exam, had to do what I could in 30 minutes but thankfully it was Behavioral Sciences. Forensic Medicine went well. I find it amusing to no end that in every single exam without fail our MCQ paper will be smuggled out of the exam hall and posted in the GC.* Spent the rest of the weekend preparing for Pathology.

Called my milk shopkeeper and found out he will be back to work from the 20th (Insha Allah). Reduced rations for my cows on account of the recent price hike in feed.

Paid my tax guy.

Finished Nightmare on Elm Drive and The Edicts of Ashoka. Started reading Early Indians. Watched Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani with gf and her sister.

Compared my lineage to that of the Nanauta Siddiqi family and it led me to believe that both families (being tied to Islamic scholarship) are descended from Kayastha converts and their folk lineage is derived from the same bardic traditions that circulated hypothetically in and around Delhi.

Also, realised I have rested for too long and allowed my body to decay in the flower of my youth. gained nearly 20 kilos over the year and lost all stamina and strength. Going to start gym from Monday, decreased my calories from 1350 to 1110 and started monitoring my macros again to ensure I eat at least 150g of Protein. Will be doing the bro split and not PPL due to how difficult it is to manage 6 days at the gym with med school.

*Had this post in the drafts and by pure chance the mystery smuggler turned out to be me when unbeknownst to me someone concealed the MCQ sheet in my jacket. Serendipitous.

Currently Reading:

Epic of Gilgamesh: 73%

The Clear Quran: 8%

The Code of Hammurabi: 38%

Early Indians: 18%

#medschool #med school #studyblr #mbbs #study blog #med studyblr #med student #diary #books and reading #weight loss diet #diet #muslimblr #gilgamesh #ancient history #pakistan

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ausetkmt · 10 months ago

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The Battle of ‘Negro Fort’ – Inside America's Forgotten Slave Rebellion - MilitaryHistoryNow.com

A year after the Battle of New Orleans, runaway slaves armed by the British occupied a stockade in Spanish Florida. The so called “Negro Fort” became a mecca for other fugitives from Southern plantations. In 1816, the U.S. Army arrived to crush the settlement. (Image source: WikiCommons)

“The Battle of the ‘Negro Fort,’ marks a critical moment when the federal government took a decisive stance in support of slavery and its expansion.”

By Matt Clavin

THE TIDAL MARSHES of Florida’s Apalachicola River were still under the authority of the Spanish crown in 1816, yet the events that took place there would go on to become a forgotten yet tragic chapter in the long and bloody history of American slavery.

It was during that year that an army of fugitive slaves, armed with foreign weaponry and united by dreams of freedom, would fight and die against a legion of American troops and allied Creek Indians dispatched by a future U.S. president bent on their destruction.

The Battle of the ‘Negro Fort’ marks a critical moment when the federal government took a decisive stance in support of slavery and its expansion.

What would become known as Negro Fort actually sprung from the War of 1812, one of the United States’ most misunderstood conflicts. During the contest’s third and final summer, Britain landed hundreds of troops on Florida’s Gulf Coast in preparation of an invasion of the southern United States.

Still Spanish territories at the time, East Florida and West Florida were neutral in the second war between the American Republic and the United Kingdom. Yet, the uncontested arrival of British troops there suggested the local authorities had ostensibly sided with the redcoats.

Americans’ fears of a Spanish-British alliances only increased when a detachment of Royal Marines erected a sizeable fort on the eastern shore of the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle. Commanders of the new outpost then called upon Native Americans and fugitive African American slaves from across the region to join the British at the fort and together take up arms against the United States. Eventually, more than a thousand Creek, Choctaw, and Seminole Indians, along with several hundred runaways from southern plantations, accepted the invitation.

Following the final ratification of the Treaty of Ghent in the spring of 1815, the British withdrew their forces from Florida. With their powerful allies suddenly gone, most of the Indians gathered at the Apalachicola fort returned to their homes. But the hundreds of fugitive slaves inside the stockade had no place to go and so remained at the abandoned British post. And with the fort’s massive earthworks, wooden palisades and stone buildings at their disposal, along with an arsenal of hundreds of muskets, swords, bayonets and dozens of cannon, the runaways chose to remain there come what may.

Under an informal system of government that can best be described as martial law, this militant black community organized daily for its defence. At the same time, it established important relationships with the neighbouring Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles, who provided food and other sustenance in return for weapons and ammunition.

Negro fort was, in a word, formidable.

One British officer who, following the Treaty of Ghent, set out to assist some of the fugitive’s former owners regain their valuable property offered a curt assessment of fort’s inhabitants.

“The blacks are very violent & say they will die to a man rather than return.”

In the coming weeks and months, Hawkins and a number of prominent frontier citizens and officials flooded Washington with reports of rebellious slaves and their savage Indian allies running wild across the southern frontier. The accounts were almost entirely exaggerated.

Although clashes between Indians and settlers on disputed lands throughout the American south were commonplace in the early 19th Century, aside from inspiring an exodus of fugitive slaves from the southern states into Florida, the Negro Fort posed no threat to the United States.

None of this stopped the commander of the United States’ southern army, General Jackson, from taking bold and aggressive action against the settlement.

Through a careful and calculating correspondence, Jackson ordered General Edmund Gaines, a hero of the War of 1812, invade Florida with 100 regulars, destroy the fort and return all of its black inhabitants to their American and Spanish owners. To ensure an American victory with as few friendly casualties as possible, Jackson secured the assistance of hundreds of Creek warriors by promising them a cash reward of as much as $50 dollars a head for every black slave returned to captivity.

Over the course of the next two weeks, hundreds of pro-American Creek warriors clashed with black rebels in the dense woods surrounding the fort, which at times descended into bloody hand-to-hand combat.

With American troops watching from a safe distance, the number of casualties went unrecorded—though it must have been considerable.

When a failed sortie by the fort’s defenders was repulsed, an American eyewitness suspected it was only a ruse.

“Many circumstances convinced us,” army doctor Marcus Buck wrote to his father, “that most of them determined never to be taken alive.”

With a pause in the ground fighting, American army and navy vessels on the river exchanged cannonfire with the fort’s defenders for several days.

The bombardment continued to the morning of July 27, when a heated cannonball, or “hotshot,” fired from U.S. Gunboat 154 flew over walls of Negro Fort’s massive inner citadel, landing directly on a gunpowder magazine.

The response of American officials to the destruction of Negro Fort was muted, largely because the entire campaign was illegal. After all, with neither congressional nor executive authority, the United States armed forces had invaded a foreign territory.

By contrast, southern slave owners hailed the battle’s outcome as the dawning of a new day. A Georgia writer expressed this view when reporting “the capture of the Negro and Indian Fort, on Apalachicola.” He explained that because of the efforts of his “brave countrymen,” the southern and western frontiers were now free of the “predatory incursions” posed by black and Indian bandits “whose numbers were daily augmenting; and whose strength and resources presented a fearful aspect to our peaceful borders.”

Within two years of the Battle of Negro Fort, Jackson and the American army again invaded Florida. The resulting First Seminole War would be the first of three wars between the United States and Florida’s black and Indian population who simply refused to submit to their northern American neighbours.

Though Negro Fort survived for only a year, its memory endured in the hearts and minds of hundreds of its inhabitants who had abandoned the outpost prior to its destruction. By fleeing to the Florida peninsula and aligning with the Seminole Indians, most of these former slaves carved out difficult but free lives on the outer edges of the American republic.

As many as one hundred of them were even more fortunate, finding not only freedom but peace and tranquility in the West Indies. By boarding trading vessels and escaping to the Bahama Islands several years after the Battle of Negro Fort, they completed the improbable journey from American slaves to British subjects.

#The Battle of ‘Negro Fort’ – Inside America's Forgotten Slave Rebellion #florida #negro fort #negro abraham #Freedmen #seminole indians #florida enslaved #history of slave settlements in florida

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rajasthan-political-leader · 4 hours ago

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Indian Army Grows Stronger Under the Leadership of Honorable Modi Ji: Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore

The Indian Army, one of the world’s most formidable defense forces, has reached new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Spearheaded by strategic reforms, technological advancements, and a renewed focus on self-reliance, India’s defense ecosystem has transformed significantly. Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, a decorated ex-army officer and political leader, has praised PM Modi’s unwavering dedication to national security and the welfare of armed forces personnel.

A Renewed Vision for India’s Defense

Under PM Modi’s leadership, a robust vision for a modern, self-reliant Indian Army has been implemented. These efforts ensure not only national security but also elevate India’s stature on the global stage.

Key Transformations in the Indian Army

1. Strengthening Defense Infrastructure

Construction of strategic roads, bridges, and tunnels in border areas, including the iconic Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh.

Enhanced facilities in high-altitude regions like Ladakh to improve operational readiness.

2. Advanced Weaponry and Equipment

Introduction of cutting-edge equipment such as Rafale fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and S-400 missile systems.

Indigenously developed weapons like the Arjun Mark 1A tank and Tejas fighter jets, showcasing India’s engineering prowess.

3. Emphasis on Self-Reliance

The Make in India initiative has bolstered domestic defense manufacturing, reducing dependency on imports.

Partnerships with private industries to develop next-generation military technology.

4. Border Security Enhancements

Deployment of advanced surveillance drones and radars along the borders.

Strengthened patrol and intelligence systems to ensure swift responses to potential threats.

Col Rajyavardhan Rathore’s Insights

Colonel Rathore, a veteran of the armed forces, has highlighted how PM Modi’s leadership has:

Empowered Soldiers: By focusing on their welfare and operational efficiency.

Strengthened India’s Defense Backbone: Through bold initiatives and modernization.

Inspired National Pride: By showcasing India’s military capabilities globally.

Milestones Achieved Under PM Modi’s Leadership

1. Strategic Strikes

Surgical Strikes (2016): A decisive response to cross-border terrorism.

Balakot Airstrike (2019): Demonstrated India’s ability to neutralize threats beyond its borders.

2. Enhanced Global Partnerships

Strengthening military ties with nations like the USA, Russia, and Israel.

Conducting joint exercises to improve interoperability and operational readiness.

3. Welfare Reforms for Soldiers

Implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP), fulfilling a long-standing demand of ex-servicemen.

Improved healthcare, housing, and education facilities for defense personnel and their families.

Challenges Addressed by the Government

Bridging the technology gap by investing in Artificial Intelligence, cyber defense, and advanced weaponry.

Ensuring logistical support and supply chain resilience in remote and high-altitude areas.

Boosting morale through recognition of soldiers’ contributions and sacrifices.

India’s Position on the Global Stage

With a stronger and more capable Indian Army, the country has solidified its position as a global power. From peacekeeping missions to humanitarian aid, the Indian Army continues to demonstrate its prowess and commitment.

Conclusion

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Army has become a force to reckon with. From modernization to welfare, the reforms have strengthened not just the military but also the nation’s spirit. Leaders like Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore recognize and celebrate these achievements, emphasizing the importance of a robust and prepared defense force for a secure future.

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