Kuwait is mandating a biometric registration process for citizens and expatriates. Those who fail to register their fingerprints by the set deadlines will face consequences such as suspended government services and frozen […]

by Fed Up Texas Chick, The Tenpenny Report: When it comes to the Ukraine biolabs, the months of February-June 2022 are really important. In February, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine and stories of the US-funded biolabs began to circulate. The MSM immediately labeled these stories as propaganda and conspiracy theories. The MSM worked overtime, […]

  There are some dangerous jobs that carry an extreme warning. The logging industry is often cited as having the most dangerous jobs in America. Other industries, such as fishing, construction, and working on oil rigs, carry many life-threatening risks, too.   There is one job, however, that is by far one of the most dangerous in America: being the president.   There have been 46 presidents so far, and four of them have been murdered while in office. This result is a staggering 8.7% assassination rate!   Here are the four presidents who met their untimely end at the hands of assassins. 1. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln full length photograph portrait by Alexander Gardner, 1863. Source: Library of Congress   Victim of one of the most infamous assassinations in all of world history, Abraham Lincoln met his end by being shot in the head by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth, just days after General Robert E. Lee announced the surrender of his Confederate army, putting any hopes for a Southern victory to an end.   Booth was a famous actor. Well-known in the community, his face was known to many, including Lincoln, who had once remarked that he admired the actor. In fact, Lincoln had, throughout his presidency, invited Booth to the White House, but Booth had never taken up any of the invitations. Nevertheless, Lincoln held absolutely no suspicions that Booth was any danger to him.   On the night of April 14, 1865, Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd, arrived late to a production of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC. Lincoln and his wife sat in the presidential booth with Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée, Clara Harris.   When they arrived, the play stopped, and the orchestra played “Hail to the Chief” while an audience of 1,700 people stood and gave a loud applause.   On that day, Lincoln’s usual bodyguard was unable to accompany the president, and instead, assigned to him was a policeman named John Frederick Parker, an officer with a checkered history who had many infractions against him. After the play resumed, Parker realized that from his vantage point behind the president, he could not see the play, so he moved to a different spot in the audience, severely reducing his ability to protect the president. At intermission, he left the theater altogether and took refreshment at a saloon. John Wilkes Booth was sitting in the same saloon, stealing himself for what he was about to do.   Assassination of President Lincoln. Associated name “Baker” possibly publisher or artist. Source: Library of Congress   After intermission, Booth went into the theater and, using his credentials as a well-known actor, was able to gain access to the presidential booth. He wedged the door shut and waited for the perfect moment to strike. He knew the play well, and at a particularly funny moment when the audience howled with laughter, Booth pointed his Derringer pistol at the back of Lincoln’s head and pulled the trigger.   Major Rathbone leaped from his seat and grappled with the assailant, but Booth slashed the major with a knife and made his escape by leaping onto the stage below. Lincoln’s death was not immediate. He was taken across the road to a house where doctors attended to him. The injury was fatal, however. The bullet had entered his head behind the left ear and come to a halt behind his right eye. There was nothing that could be done. Lincoln, unconscious the entire time, slipped away at 7:22 the next morning.   Booth was later cornered and died in a shootout with the police, while his accomplices, who had been tasked with other assassinations (all of which failed), were caught and put on trial. Four of them were hanged.   2. James A. Garfield Portrait photograph of Charles Guiteau. Source: Boston Medical Library via Harvard Countway Library, Center for the History of Medicine   Less than four months into his term as president, James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, was shot in the back. His murderer was Charles J. Guiteau, a psychologically unstable man who falsely believed he had been responsible for Garfield’s success in the elections.   Guiteau had a checkered history of finding his place in the world. He worked at a law practice and then as a bill collector. He was also deeply interested in theology and spent time living in a religious commune before trying his hand at politics, where he thought he would have success.   James Garfield, by W.J. Morgan & Co., lithographer. Source: Library of Congress   He was a supporter of Ulysses S. Grant, and expecting him to win the nomination as the Republican candidate, Guiteau wrote a speech entitled “Grant vs. Hancock.” Before he could have it printed, Grant lost the nomination to Garfield, and Giteau made several hurried and careless changes to his speech, replacing the name “Grant” with “Garfield.” As a result, the speech ended up attributing successes to Garfield that were accomplished by Grant. Nevertheless, the speech was printed and disseminated.   Although he never publicly orated the speech, Guiteau was convinced that his speech had helped Garfield win the presidential election of 1880 against his democrat rival, Winfield Scott Hancock.   He expected praise from Garfield and even expected a consulship. He hung around the Republican headquarters and then the White House, trying to get a meeting with Garfield, but to no avail.   A cartoon from Puck Magazine satirizing Charles Guiteau. Source: public domain via picryl.com   Incensed by being ignored, he decided on a route of violence. He wrote threatening letters to the White House, but these, too, were ignored. Guiteau then bought a revolver and stalked his target. On July 3, 1881 at the Baltimore and Potomac Railway Station, Guiteau approached his target from behind and shot twice. The first shot grazed the president’s shoulder, and the second shot caught him in the back. Guiteau was immediately arrested by a policeman who showed up to investigate the gunshots.   Garfield, still alive, was taken to an upper floor of the station and then to the White House, where he lay in bed for weeks, being prodded by doctors. It is widely believed that in the doctor’s quest to remove the bullet, they did more damage to the president, causing the wound to become toxic. The sepsis slowly spread throughout Garfield’s body, and he died 79 days later.   Guiteau’s trial was a media circus, and he delighted in the attention. He even sang in court and was convinced that he was not guilty as he was carrying out the will of God. It was one of the first times the US judicial system had considered the insanity defense. During this time, Guiteau even went so far as to plan to run for president himself; such were his delusions.   The jury decided that Guiteau was guilty, and he was sentenced to death. On the day of his execution, he danced up to the gallows and waved at the audience before reciting a poem. He even shook hands with the executioner.   3. William McKinley William McKinley by Brett Litho. Co. Source: Library of Congress   William McKinley was the 25th president of the United States. Several months into his second term in office, he was murdered by an anarchist who viewed it as his duty to remove McKinley from office.   In 1896, McKinley was elected into office by defeating his rival, Democrat William Jennings Bryan. The hardships of the term were already in full swing. The country had been suffering from an economic depression since 1893. McKinley’s administration would triumph over these problems. He solved the economic crisis and secured victory in the Spanish-American War in 1898.   Leon Czolgosz, the son of Polish immigrants, was born in 1873 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1893, he lost his job in a labor dispute and spent the next few years struggling financially, picking up odd jobs wherever he could. He became interested in anarchism, a movement that had been the cause of several attempted assassinations in Europe already.   Despite the upturn in American economic fortunes, Czolgosz still harbored resentment towards McKinley, whom he blamed for his misfortunes. He moved to Buffalo, although it is uncertain the motive behind this move. He did not have any clear plans to kill the president, but he would act upon the opportunity that presented itself.   Leon Czolgosz. Source: Wikimedia Commons   After his second inauguration in 1901, McKinley toured the country, culminating in a speech at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo on June 13. While in Chicago, Czolgosz learned of the president’s intended visit to Buffalo, and when he returned, Czolgosz purchased a revolver. On September 3, he made up his mind that he would kill McKinley.   On September 5, McKinley toured the fair in Buffalo after giving a speech. Czolgosz was in the crowd but decided not to attempt anything as he was being jostled, and hitting the president would be difficult. He tried to get close afterward, but he was pushed away by security. The next day, McKinley was scheduled to take a trip to Niagara Falls before returning to Buffalo.   After returning to Buffalo, he attended a grand reception at the Temple of Music, where he greeted thousands of people who lined up to shake the president’s hand. Czolgosz was in the crowd waiting for the chance. When he got to the president, with his gun concealed in a handkerchief, he pulled the trigger twice. It was 4:07 pm. The president lurched forward as onlookers gazed in horror.   McKinley’s casket ascending the Capitol steps. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Immediately, Czolgosz was set upon by members of the crowd as well as McKinley’s security detail, while McKinley was guided towards a chair. He sat down and ordered the beating of Czolgosz to cease.   McKinley was taken to the exposition hospital, but no qualified surgeon was available immediately. The delay worsened the president’s state. One of the bullets had caught on a button and had not entered the president’s body, but the other pierced his abdomen and left the president in a critical condition.   He was operated on successfully, and over the next few days, he seemed to be in recovery, but the toxins in his blood caused by gangrene resulted in an infection that put the president back into critical condition. In the early hours of September 14, President William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, succumbed to his wounds.   Czolgosz was sentenced to death by electrocution, which was carried out on October 29, 1901.   4. John F. Kennedy Photograph of John F. Kennedy from July 1963. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The most recent of the American presidential assassinations, the murder of John F. Kennedy, sent huge shockwaves through the entire world.   Kennedy’s term as president had been a successful one, and although he had not formally announced it, Kennedy was sure to seek a second term. In late 1963, the campaign began as he toured the United States and spoke on issues such as peace and conservation. Jacqueline Kennedy joined her husband on November 21 as they departed for Texas aboard Air Force One. The plan was to visit five cities in two days.   The first stop was San Antonio, and then on to Houston before ending the day in Fort Worth, where they would spend the evening. On the morning of November 22, Kennedy was warmly greeted by a crowd as he gave a speech. Afterward, he spoke at the breakfast of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce at the Texas Hotel.   John F. Kennedy moments before he was assassinated. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Then, it was on to Carswell Air Force Base for a thirteen-minute flight to Dallas. Upon landing, they greeted a gathering of people by the fence before taking the motorcade, which was to drive ten miles to the Trade Mart, where Kennedy was to give a speech. Kennedy rode in the presidential limousine with the top down, giving onlookers a clear vantage of their president. It also made him an easier target for any would-be snipers. At around 12:30 pm, they turned off Main Street onto Dealey Plaza. Crowds lined the streets, greeting the president and waving flags.   As they passed the Texas School Book Depository, the sound of gunfire punctuated the cheers from the crowd, which quickly turned into screams and gasps of shock and disbelief.   Memorial to John F. Kennedy in Runnymede, England. Source: Wikimedia Commons   A bullet pierced the back of the president’s neck, and another went into the back of his head. The motorcade immediately rushed the president to the hospital, but there was nothing that could have been done. John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1 pm.   The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was on the run, but not for long. He murdered a policeman who stopped to question him and was later apprehended. Before he could be tried, Oswald was murdered by a nightclub owner, Jack Ruby, in the basement of a Dallas police station and on live television. Ruby pulled out a gun and shot Oswald to death.   The murder of Oswald was judged to be pure retaliation for the killing of Kennedy. Ruby was sentenced to death but appealed the decision. Before he could be retried, he died of a pulmonary embolism.   Lee Harvey Oswald in custody. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Being the president of the United States has always been a risky job. As technology improves, so does the ability to defend the president against the threat from assassins. The danger, however, increases too, as the president is at the center of political unrest and turmoil, which creates environments in which people mad enough to try their hand at assassination become emboldened.   Despite all the security, being the president of the United States is still as dangerous as it ever was.

  William Henry Harrison began his career in the military, served as Secretary of the Northwest Territory, and Governor of Indiana. He rose to the rank of Major General of the US Army during the War of 1812. In 1840, Harrison was elected as the 9th president of the United States – the last president to be born a British colonial subject in the Thirteen Colonies. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison became the 23rd President of the United States. Tragically, Harrison died of pneumonia just one month into his presidency, making him the shortest-serving president in US history.   Early Life and Political Career The Harrison family home, Berkeley Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia, Source: Wikimedia Commons   William Henry Harrison was born into the prominent Harrison family of Virginia in 1773. His father, Benjamin Harrison V, a Virginia planter, colonial politician, and US Founding Father, raised him at Berkeley Plantation, the family homestead and one of the first slave plantations in America.   The youngest of seven children, William was home-tutored before receiving an education in classics and history at Hampden–Sidney College, Virginia. After his father’s death in 1791, Harrison moved to Philadelphia. He briefly studied medicine in Richmond before dropping out and embarking on a military career.    Harrison joined the US infantry regiment and served in the Northwest Indian War (1785-1795). In 1798, he resigned from the military to become Secretary of the Northwest Territory. The following year, he was elected as the first delegate to the US Congress from the Northwest Territory. In 1800, President John Adams appointed him as Governor of the newly established Indiana Territory.    Military General Tecumseh, the Shawnee “shooting star,” by Owen Staples, 1915, based on an engraving by Benson John Lossing, 1868, Source: Wikimedia Commons   As Governor of Indiana, Harrison’s primary role was obtaining titles to Indian lands for white settlers. Tensions soon escalated with the Shawnee Warrior-Chef, Tecumseh. In 1811, Harrison led a force of 950 men in a bid to intimidate Tecumseh, but his men launched a surprise attack that became known as the Battle of Tippecanoe (1812). He emerged victorious, earned the nickname “Old Tip,” and became nationally famous.    Following the US declaration of the War of 1812 against Britain, Harrison was appointed Major General of the US Army. In 1813, he led American forces to victory at the Battle of the Thames, where Tecumseh was killed, effectively breaking the power of his emerging Native American Confederation.    Harrison’s successes in the war secured his national reputation, and he was later awarded a gold medal by Congress for his services to the nation. He resigned from the army in 1814, shortly before the conclusion of the war, and thereafter returned to civilian life.    Presidential Campaigns Major General William H. Harrison in Bronze Medal, Source: Wikimedia Commons   In 1836, William Henry Harrison ran unsuccessfully as the Western Whig candidate for President. Four years later, he ran again, this time successfully challenging the popular Democratic incumbent, Martin Van Buren. Despite being born into an aristocratic Virginia family, Harrison’s 1840 campaign emphasized his military achievements and “everyman” appeal.    His campaign capitalized on an attempted Democrat smear portraying him as an out-of-touch old man, who would rather sit in his log cabin drinking hard cider than govern. The attempt backfired spectacularly, as Harrison was recast as a heroic frontier soldier against the image of a champagne-swilling, lavish-living President Van Buren.    Ironically, a scion of the slaveholding Virginia elite ascended to the White House by cultivating a false image of a humble frontiersman connected to the common people. Harrison won the popular vote by a narrow margin of 150,000 votes but dominated the Electoral College, winning 234 to 60.    Presidency and Death Death of Harrison, April 4 A.D. 1841, Source: Wikimedia Commons   Among Harrison’s most eye-catching promises as president was to re-establish the Bank of The United States. As a slaveholder, navigated the issue of slavery cautiously, maintaining that it was a matter for individual states to resolve. He generally supported a limited presidency in line with Whig principles and lacked a notable domestic program when he entered office.    Tragically Harrison’s famously lengthy inaugural speech contributed to his demise. On March 4th, 1841, a bitterly cold, wet day, he refused to wear an overcoat or hat, rode by horseback to the ceremony, and delivered a near two-hour long speech out in the elements.    By March 26th, he fell ill with a “severe chill,” which was later diagnosed as pneumonia He passed away on April 4th, 1841 at the age of 68, the oldest president to be elected at that time, and the shortest serving president in US history to date.

  An ancient Inca city, Machu Picchu evokes a sense of wonder and mystery, a lost place that needed to be rediscovered. Its abandonment during the Spanish conquest left it to fade into obscurity until 1911 when Hiram Bingham, a Yale researcher, brought it back into the global spotlight. This was not, however, a true discovery; local communities had long been aware of its existence. The truth behind Bingham’s work challenges traditional notions of discovery, highlighting the intertwined histories and cultural dynamics surrounding Machu Picchu’s history.   Machu Picchu, Symbol of the Inca Empire Panoramic view of Machu Picchu, 2006. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca city likely constructed in the 15th century, stands today as the most iconic symbol of the Inca Empire, the largest pre-colonial empire in South America due to its conquests of neighboring kingdoms. ​​Despite the absence of a written language, the Incas devised a sophisticated system of communication and record-keeping using cords adorned with knots, known as quipus, a method that is still not fully understood today. Their legacy encompasses extraordinary architectural and engineering accomplishments that still captivate historians and archaeologists. Constructed without the use of iron, steel, or wheels, Machu Picchu was undoubtedly a monumental architectural feat, involving the labor of thousands of people.   Situated atop a precipitous ridge between two mountains, in a region characterized by heavy rainfall and geological instability, Machu Picchu captivates visitors with both its breathtaking scenery and historical significance. It covers 80,540 acres of mountain slopes, peaks, and valleys, and at its heart lies the spectacular archaeological monument known as The Citadel, situated over 7,900 feet above sea level. While its exact purpose remains uncertain, historians and archaeologists suggest several potential explanations. One prevalent theory is that Machu Picchu served as a royal estate and retreat for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Additionally, it may have functioned as a religious sanctuary, agricultural hub, and administrative center. The strategic location of Machu Picchu amidst the Andes Mountains suggests its significance as a cultural, religious, and political center for the Inca Empire.   Machu Picchu at dawn, 2006. Source: Wikimedia Commons   A recent study proposed a groundbreaking new theory regarding Machu Picchu’s location, attributing it to geological factors. Fault lines beneath the site facilitated stone construction by naturally breaking granite into manageable pieces, aiding in drainage and water management. This suggests the Incas deliberately selected the site based on their understanding of the region’s geology. Moreover, the presence of a Quechua term for significant fractures underscores the Inca’s profound understanding of geological formations within their mountain domain. Renowned as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, Machu Picchu not only captivates with its breathtaking beauty but also constitutes a remarkable collection of ruins possessing immense archaeological and historical significance that remains partially shrouded in mystery. Extensive research is required to unravel the many remaining questions surrounding Machu Picchu.   Searching for Vilcabamba Sergeant Carrasco with Machu Picchu’s Intihuatana, a sacred stone carving, during the Brigham expedition, 1911. Source: National Geographic Society   The most well-known story attributes the site’s discovery to Hiram Bingham, a Yale researcher who traveled to Peru in search of the last Inca capital. He began his adventure in 1911, accompanied by a geologist-geographer, a topographer, a naturalist, a surgeon, an engineer, and a young assistant. The trip began in Cuzco, where they started ascending the Urubamba River valley. The expedition reached a small plain bordered by gullies, where Melchor Arteaga, a tenant of those lands, resided. He informed them that in the opposite direction lay ruins that possibly matched what they were seeking, so he offered to guide them. After an exhausting journey, crossing the Urubamba River and ascending slopes under stifling heat, they arrived at a small hut where they were welcomed by the family living there. One of their sons volunteered to show Bingham the ruins. Just around the hill from their hosts’ dwelling, the explorer, astonished, saw hundred-stepped Inca terraces, about 330 yards long and 10 feet high. Bingham hurriedly took many photos with his Kodak A3 and wrote notes in his journals.   A year later, after securing much more funding from Yale University and the National Geographic Society, he returned to Machu Picchu with a much larger team of geologists, archaeologists, and surveyors to begin excavations with the help of indigenous people from the area.​​ Bingham faced criticism for illegally removing almost 50,000 archaeological pieces that were taken to Yale University. Only 300 were returned; the rest remain in large European museums, including the British Museum and the Louvre, or in private collections.   Melchor Arteaga crossing the Urubamba River on the journey to Machu Picchu, 1911. Source: Wikimedia Commons   With the dissemination of his research, notably featured in a dedicated issue of National Geographic in 1913 highlighting the history and recent discoveries, Hiram Bingham solidified his reputation as the individual who discovered Machu Picchu. Through publications, lectures, and media coverage, Bingham’s findings captured global attention, elevating Machu Picchu to iconic status and establishing its significance in archaeological and historical circles worldwide.   Despite his contributions to the discovery and initial exploration of Machu Picchu, Bingham’s approach and interpretations have been criticized by modern scholars. He was driven more by romanticized notions and preconceptions than by empirical evidence, leading to speculative theories and interpretations that often deviated from reality. Despite having a moon crater named after him and speculation that he influenced the character of Indiana Jones, Bingham is not highly regarded by contemporary academics. He was convinced that he had found the last city of the Incas, the legendary “lost city” of Vilcabamba la Vieja, the last bastion of the independent Inca rulers who waged a lengthy battle against Spanish conquistadors. Ironically, Bingham had already visited Vilcabamba but decided it was too small to be so legendary, not as fancy as he had hoped. And so, he invented the new lost city and a whole story behind it. For example, during his explorations they found dozens of bodies buried there, leading Bingham to speculate that Machu Picchu was a temple devoted to the Virgins of the Sun, a holy order of chosen women dedicated to one of the Inca’s deities, the sun god Inti. However, his theory was quickly debunked as bodies of men were found in equal or greater measure.   The “Lost” City That Never Was Photo taken during the first Bingham expedition to Machu Picchu in 1911; in the first window from left to right, there is a signature inscription that reads “A. Lizárraga 1902.” Source: Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database   A mountain of evidence attests to the fact that Hiram Bingham was not the first to reach the ruins. In the 16th century, there were references to the Machu Picchu site in the writings of Diego Rodríguez Figueroa, known then as Pijchu. Additionally, recent findings have turned up 19th-century maps in which Machu Picchu is accurately located. In the second half of the 19th century, German adventurer Augusto Berns established a mining company, which he used to plunder the relics of Machu Picchu and sell them for his benefit. There are even documents from 1867 that indicate that Berns had to deliver 10% of his looted gold to the Peruvian government.   In 1902, Agustín Lizárraga, a peasant employed by his landlords, embarked on a mission to explore new lands for agricultural expansion. Known for his skill in “climbing the most inaccessible places” and “challenging obstacles,” he was the ideal candidate for the task. Accompanied by his cousin, he journeyed through the rugged mountain terrain until they stumbled upon the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu. Overwhelmed by the sight, Lizárraga inscribed his name and the year on a stone, commemorating their discovery. Upon their return, Lizárraga’s landlords organized visits to the ruins, hoping to attract tourists and promote the site’s cultural significance. However when Bingham “discovered” the ruins nine years later, he ordered the inscription to be erased, citing conservation reasons. Although Bingham noted the inscription in his diary, he did not publicize its existence, choosing to remain silent on the matter.   Photo of the ruins at Machu Picchu when it was “discovered” in 1911. Source: National Geographic   Bingham, it turns out, was well aware that he hadn’t “discovered” anything—since he had the 19th-century maps, the resolution authorizing Berns’ presence at the historical site, and had even photographed Lizárraga’s inscription. Additionally, on his expedition he found three families cultivating crops, including potatoes, sugar cane, yucca, sweet potatoes, and corn on the terraces of Machu Picchu. The son of one of the peasant families, the Richartes, guided Bingham’s expeditions; he even mentioned in his diaries that if it hadn’t been for the boy, they would never have reached the ruins. It’s also clear that Bingham was aware of the proximity of the ruins to the region’s population; however, he made no effort to dispel his reputation as the great discoverer.   While Hiram Bingham’s efforts to investigate, excavate, and publicize the historical significance of Machu Picchu should be acknowledged, it remains essential to recognize that the site was never truly lost. Despite Bingham’s role in bringing Machu Picchu to the attention of the world, the site had always been known to locals in the area. His actions underscore a broader narrative often seen in historical exploration: the voices of distant explorers often overshadow the knowledge and heritage of indigenous communities. While Bingham’s efforts were instrumental in popularizing Machu Picchu globally, it’s crucial to recognize the enduring connection of indigenous communities to their heritage sites.

  Tennessee, just south of contested Kentucky, was one of the earliest Confederate targets of the Union. After the Union managed to hold onto the border state of Kentucky, it immediately went after Tennessee, but faced stiff resistance. The Battle of Stones River was an inevitable post-Kentucky showdown between two generals who took their time preparing amid political bickering that neither was up to the task.   Victory Goes to the Union Confederate troops struggling under fire in Stones River during the battle. Source: National Park Service (NPS)   The Battle of Stones River was a brutal slugfest. After eyeing each other in central Tennessee, the armies of Union general William Rosencrans and Confederate general Braxton Bragg planned to attack each other, hoping to win the region for their respective countries. Despite the initial success of a Confederate attack on December 31, 1862, the Union eventually held firm as the Confederate follow-up was uncoordinated. After prematurely declaring victory that evening, the Confederates failed to notice the maneuvering of Union reinforcements.   A second Confederate attack on January 2 failed, thanks to the Union reinforcements, who counterattacked. Bragg realized that Rosencrans had more men and would receive additional reinforcements, which led to his decision to withdraw on January 3. Although little changed for the South, the North saw the narrow victory as very substantial due to US President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, given after the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. The Proclamation, which took effect on January 1, 1863, would be seen as meaningful only if it came alongside Union military victories.   Timeline of the Battle of Stones River A map showing the Union and Confederate opening movements during the Battle of Stones River in Tennessee. Source: The American Battlefield Trust   The Union loss at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 was a morale-crusher for the Union. President Lincoln wanted to both rectify this loss and win a Union victory that would accompany the carrying out of his Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In central Tennessee, the army of Confederate general Braxton Bragg was only 30 miles from that of Union general William Rosencrans, setting up an opportune conflict.   Ordered to engage, Rosencrans began moving his army south on December 26, 1862 to find Bragg’s forces.   Late in the day on December 30, the two armies faced each other near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.   Early the next morning, the Confederates struck first and drove back the Union units, with massive casualties on both sides due to fierce, nonstop combat. Rosencrans called up reinforcements, who saved the day from a Union defeat with the help of skillful artillery. Confederate artillery struggled to join the front line through thick forests, giving the Union a firepower advantage.   After a day of rest on January 1, Bragg ordered another attack on the afternoon of January 2. The Confederates ran into massed Union cannons that had a decimating effect on their ranks.   After a Union counterattack pushed the cannon-stricken Confederates back, Bragg withdrew on January 3, 1863.   What Caused the Battle of Stones River? An image showing the role of Kentucky as a border state between the Union and the Confederacy at the beginning of the American Civil War. Source: Frazier History Museum, Louisville, Kentucky   After having saved the border state of Kentucky from joining with the Confederacy, it was time for the Union to take the war into the South. Tennessee was the “top” of the South, and the Union began pushing through it from west to east. Although the Union had been gaining ground in its offensives in this Western Theater, especially with its victory in the Battle of Shiloh, the Confederate victory at Fredericksburg in early December of 1862 seemed to have stalled its momentum. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of September 1862 had declared that all enslaved people in states still in rebellion as of January 1, 1863 would be free. He wanted this date to fall on or after a Union victory, not its defeat at Fredericksburg.   The Battle of Stones River was anticipated by both sides in advance, as Rosencrans’ Army of the Cumberland was in close proximity to Bragg’s Army of Tennessee and the region of central Tennessee was clearly the next to be contested. Rosencrans also had some 80,000 men under his command, easily double that of Bragg. This allowed Rosencrans to leave half of them in Nashville, which the Union had seized early in the year, to protect it from Confederate attack. With his manpower advantage and President Lincoln needing a victory, Rosencrans was up to the task.   Why Was the Battle of Stones River Significant? A newspaper image of a successful Union charge during the Battle of Stones River on January 2, 1863. Source: Tennessee State Library and Archives   The Battle of Stones River was significant for multiple reasons, the first of which was its design to give the Union a victory that coincided with the Emancipation Proclamation taking effect. When Bragg withdrew on January 3, President Lincoln had his victory and an omen that the Union would prevail in the conflict. Secondly, the battle was infamous for having the highest percentage of casualties in a major skirmish during the war, with almost 4 percent of committed troops killed in action. Four of the dead were brigadier generals, an unusually high number of top-ranked officers.   After the defeat at Fredericksburg, the Union victory at Stones River was instrumental in maintaining morale and the will needed to continue the war without negotiating for an armistice with the South. Politically, the Lincoln administration was under pressure to show results toward winning the war. Although eventual victory over the Confederacy was virtually guaranteed, many in the North preferred to negotiate an armistice, potentially allowing the Confederacy to remain an independent state, to reduce casualties. Stones River bought Lincoln more time.   5 Facts About the Battle of Stones River The National Park Service provides some trivia about the night before the beginning of the Battle of Stones River. Source: National Park Service   1. Casualties Casualties during the two days of fighting totaled almost 25,000, with slightly more Union than Confederate (though keeping in rough relation to the proportion of troops each side fielded). With just over 75,000 men engaged in the battle, the high number of casualties meant that almost twenty percent, or one out of every five, was at least wounded in combat. Therefore, while Stones River was not one of the largest battles of the war, it does go down as one of the most intense.   2. Commanders Union forces were led by General William Rosencrans, a West Point graduate with relatively little combat experience. Unlike most of his fellow Military Academy alumni, he did not serve in Mexico during the Mexican-American War. An engineer, he worked on several Army projects before resigning from the service in 1854. After the Civil War began with the Battle of Fort Sumter, Rosencrans rejoined the US Army as a staff officer under General George McClellan. He was eventually relieved of his command after his defeat at Chickamauga in September 1863, later retiring to California.   Confederate forces were led by general Braxton Bragg, who had served in both the Seminole Wars in Florida and in the Mexican-American War. Combative by nature, Bragg was almost drummed out of the US Army prior to the Mexican-American War, where his bravery and skill redeemed his reputation. Bragg’s temper toward subordinate officers meant he did not win their loyalty, which led them to call for his resignation after the loss at Stones River. Although Confederate President Jefferson Davis stood by Bragg at the time, he later replaced Bragg after the general’s defeat at Chattanooga.   3. Number of Forces Involved A map showing the location of Union (blue) and Confederate (red) armies during the December 31, 1862 Battle of Stones River in Tennessee. Source: Dickinson College   Under Rosencrans, just over 41,000 Union soldiers were committed to the battle, which constituted about half of the general’s total force in Tennessee. Bragg had some 35,000 men, bringing the total of combatants to about 76,000. Therefore, Stones River was indeed a major battle, but was dwarfed by larger engagements like Antietam and Gettysburg.   4. Visiting Murfreesboro, Tennessee Today Today, visitors can enjoy the Stones River National Battlefield near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The battlefield has a large visitor center typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and includes a bookstore. It can accommodate large groups of visitors, such as history class field trips from nearby schools, and is also open for driving tours. For those staying in the town of Murfreesboro, there are plenty of Civil War historic sites to visit in addition to the battlefield.   5. Trivia: Highest Casualty Rate in a Major Civil War Battle Although not often remembered as a major Civil War battle, the Battle of Stones River is remembered as the most intense single battle, with a death rate of combatants almost reaching four percent. Other noteworthy casualty statistics go to larger battles like Antietam, which had the highest total casualties in a single day, or Gettysburg, which had the highest total casualties over a multi-day engagement. In terms of total casualties, the two-day Battle of Stones River ranks seventh overall, just behind the Battle of Shiloh and just ahead of Antietam.   Aftermath of Stones River: Union Aims at Chattanooga A newspaper image of Union General William Rosencrans’ position in the captured city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Source: Big Walnut Area Historical Society   After the successful Battle of Stones River, General Rosencrans aimed to protect the captured region of central Tennessee from a possible Confederate return. As a result, he turned much of Chattanooga into a fortress, and did the same with Murfreesboro. Toward this end, Rosencrans was successful: Tennessee became the only Confederate state to be fully occupied by the Union before the end of the Civil War in the late spring of 1865.   The Union victory on January 3 helped underscore the seriousness of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. By showing that the Union was not giving up the fight against a devoted Confederate resistance, the victory at Stones River helped reinforce the belief among foreign powers like France and Britain that the Confederacy was a lost cause and should receive no recognition or aid. It also likely encouraged more enslaved people in the South to risk seeking freedom by escaping to Union lines, where they could find shelter and employment in Washington DC.

  Although the Arthurian legends are full of references to magic, dragons, and other fanciful elements, they have a definite historical setting. They are based in 5th and 6th century Britain. This was early Dark Age Britain, the era of the Anglo-Saxon conquests. Many of the characters who appear as Arthur’s companions or allied kings can be identified as historical figures of that era. However, the villains of the Arthurian legends have often been ignored in discussions of this subject. Can any of those characters be identified as historical figures?   1. King Mark of Cornwall Illustration of King Mark of Cornwall from The Champions of the Round Table, by Howard Pyle, 1905. Source: Wikiwand   One fairly well-known example is that of King Mark of Cornwall. He appears prominently in the Arthurian legends about Tristan and Isolde. He is described as Tristan’s uncle by marriage. It is very likely that the legendary King Mark can be identified as the historical Conomor, a ruler of part of Brittany in the mid-6th century.   The earliest piece of evidence for this claim is the 9th-century document known as the Life of St Paul Aurelian. In this document, we find a fascinating statement. The writer informs us that the king known as “Quonomorus” was also named “Mark.” The only “Quonomorus” in this era was Conomor of Brittany. Just like King Mark of the Arthurian legends, Conomor of Brittany was infamous for his villainy involving marriages and obsession.   An inscribed stone from Cornwall that dates to about the 6th century includes the name, Conomor. It also, according to the most recent scholarship, includes the name of Tristan, confirming the close connection between the two.   2. Rhita the Giant Statue of Geoffrey of Monmouth at Tintern Station, Wales. Source: Visit Monmouthshire   A somewhat more obscure villain from the Arthurian legends is Rhita Gawr, whose epithet means “Giant.” He appears in European and English tales as Rions or Rience. Geoffrey of Monmouth referred to him as Ritho, a form much closer to the Welsh spelling that is likely close to the original. According to most versions of the Arthurian legends, Rhita Gawr was a giant who lived in North Wales. He was an evil king who had killed various other monarchs and wore their beards on a garment. He challenged Arthur to a duel, but the young and newly-appointed king killed the giant.   Needless to say, this legend is full of fanciful elements, including the very nature of Rhita as a giant. Nevertheless, we are able to make a plausible identification of this character with a historical figure from the period. Bede, the 8th-century English historian, referred to an Irish figure named “Reuda.” He founded the kingdom of Dal Riata, which was named after him.   Map of Argyleshire, broadly equivalent to the medieval kingdom of Dal Riata, From Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson. Source: The Internet Archive   Notice the similarity between “Reuda” or “Riata” and the name of the legendary giant, “Rhita.” However, we need more than just a similar name to be able to make a convincing case. Although Bede himself does not give a date for Reuda’s reign, later records place the founding of Dal Riata at the very end of the 5th century. This would logically place Reuda in the early Arthurian period. If we could identify Reuda himself more precisely, we could make an even more convincing case.   As it happens, later Irish records say that Dal Riata was founded by three brothers. The son and successor of the most prominent of these three, Fergus Mor, was named Domangart Reti. Given the apparent conflict between Bede’s account of the founding of this kingdom and the later Irish versions, it seems very likely that Bede’s “Reuda” was this Domangart Reti. Thus, the “founder” referred to by Bede was actually the son of one of the three brothers who allegedly conquered the territory originally.   Dunadd hill fort, possible capital of Dal Riada. Source: Britannica   Presumably, Domangart consolidated his family’s rule of the area, thus coming to be known as its founder in some traditions. Domangart Reti is recorded as dying in the early 6th century and this matches with the placement of Rhita’s death in the Arthurian legends. With this evidence in view, it is very likely that the Rhita Gawr of Welsh tradition is identical to the historical Domangart Reti, Bede’s legendary Reuda.   Although it is true that there is no tradition of the kings of Dal Riata dominating North Wales, we would do well to consider what the earliest version of the legend actually says. Geoffrey of Monmouth’s account is the earliest surviving source. He does not specifically say that Rhita (or “Ritho,” as he calls him) ruled over North Wales. He simply says that North Wales is where the battle between him and Arthur took place. Since most Welsh traditions place Arthur in South Wales, meeting a king from Dal Riata halfway between their respective territories, which would be North Wales, is a reasonable scenario.   3. Lucius Tiberius Map of the Western Roman Empire, over which Timasius fought Magnus Maximus’ armies, c. 400 CE. Source: Wikimedia Commons   As well as describing battles in Britain, the Arthurian legends also describe Arthur fighting battles on the continent against the Romans. As scholar David Dumville argued, this part of the legend almost certainly came from Magnus Maximus’ usurpation of the Western Roman Empire, when he invaded from Britain. However, beyond this basic connection, relatively little research has been done on the intricate connections between the legend and its historical basis.   The figure who serves as Arthur’s primary antagonist in the legend is a certain Lucius Tiberius. Although some online sources describe him as an emperor, the earliest version of the legend only ever calls him a military leader.   The two Roman leaders of the army of Emperor Theodosius at the climax of Maximus’ usurpation were Flavius Promotus and Flavius Timasius. Of the two of them, the latter is clearly the better option for the legendary Tiberius. When we consider the customs of medieval scribes, this identification is all but certain.   Magnus Maximus, from The Llanbeblig Hours, 1390-1400. Source: The National Library of Wales   Firstly, it should be noted that the letter “r” and the letter “s” in some medieval Welsh manuscripts are almost identical. In the name “Atroys,” for incidence, found in the Harleian MS 3859, we see both letters in the same name. It is only by a minuscule difference that the letters are distinguishable from each other. For this reason, these two letters were often swapped by mistake, and this tendency also applied to medieval manuscripts from many other locations.   The other main difference between “Timasius” and “Tiberius” is the ‘b’ instead of the “m.” In fact, both letters were sometimes used to represent the same sound. An example of this is seen in the work of Gregory of Tours, who referred to Conomor of Brittany with a “b” in the place of the “m.” Sometimes, the letter “f” or “v” was used in place of both, masking whether “b” or “m” had been there originally.   Therefore, we can see that the evolution from “Timasius” to “Tiberius” (a much more familiar name to the medieval scribes) would have been exceedingly easy. Therefore, Timasius can very likely be identified as the Roman military leader Tiberius from this Arthurian legend.   4. Osla Big-Knife Depiction of Cerdic of Wessex, grandson of the likely Osla, from Theatre, by John Speed, 1611. Source: Cambridge University   Osla Big-Knife is a very obscure villain from the Arthurian legends. His epithet appears as “Gyllellfawr” in the Welsh texts in which he appears. He appears in the late Mabinogi tale known as The Dream of Rhonabwy. This work presents the story of the prelude to Arthur’s famous Battle of Badon. In this tale, the leader of the Saxons is named Osla. Interestingly, a separate Welsh tradition records the name of the leader of the Saxon army as Cheldric. These two bits of information can help us to identify Osla.   The Cheldric who appears as Arthur’s enemy in the Arthurian legends is almost certainly Cerdic of Wessex. He was a historical Saxon leader who fought against the Britons in the south in exactly the era in which Arthur was alive, according to legend, fighting against the Saxons. Notably, Anglo-Saxon genealogies make him the grandson of an otherwise unknown figure called Esla. Very likely, this Esla is the figure recorded as Osla in Welsh tradition. It may be that Cerdic was a young commander in charge of the armies of his grandfather, accounting for the two seemingly contradictory traditions about the leader of the Saxons at Badon.   Historical Villains of the Arthurian Legends An illustration from The Mabinogion, by Charlotte Guest, 1877. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In conclusion, we can see that there are a number of villains from the Arthurian legends who can be identified as historical figures. King Mark, famous from the story of Tristan and Isolde, can almost certainly be identified as Conomor of Brittany. The giant named Rhita whom Arthur killed early in his reign can likely be identified as Domangart Reti and Bede’s “Reuda,” a king of Dal Riata.   In the legend of Arthur conquering parts of Europe, the main antagonist is the Roman military commander Lucius Tiberius. In view of this legend being based on Magnus Maximus’ historical usurpation, it is very likely that Tiberius can be identified as Timasius. He was one of the two primarily military commanders who fought against Maximus.   Finally, we have seen that Osla, the leader of the Saxons at Badon in Welsh tradition, can likely be identified as the obscure figure named Esla from Anglo-Saxon genealogies.

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