Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

100 BC

2011-09-18T19:18:06Z

AlexWest:

<!--[[Augustus Caesar]]

[[Battle of Actium]]

[[Claudius]]

[[Cleopatra]]

[[Horace]]

[[Julius Caesar]]

[[Livy]]

[[Marc Antony]]

[[Octavian]]

[[Ovid]]

[[Pax Romana]]

[[Virgil]]

[[Category:Years]]

104th United States Congress

2011-09-18T19:18:05Z

AlexWest:

<!--The '''104th United States Congress''' was the sessions of Congress that occurred from January 3, 1995 to January 3, 1997. Due to the [[Contract with America]] and dissatisfaction with Democratic policies, the elections of 1994 finally saw an increase in the [[Republican]] majority of [[Congress]]. House speaker [[Newt Gingrich]] declared Congress "under new management" during this Congress. This Congress was able to pass much excellent conservative pro-American legislation despite [[liberal]] and impeached president [[Bill Clinton]] being in office. Coincidentally, the ushering in of a Republican dominated Congress exactly coincided with the success of the US economy, a strong economy that lasted until the [[Democrats]] surprisingly won power back in 2006. Not surprisingly, the economy then dropped sharply, as did Congressional opinion polls.

The 104th Congress was the most productive in nearly 50 years. President [[Bill Clinton]], fearing defeat in 1996, signed many good bills into law. The accomplishments of the 104th Congress included:

*[[DOMA]]
*Welfare reform
*Prisoner litigation reform
*the [[Solomon Amendment]]

(add to list)

[[Category:United States Congress]]

1066

2011-09-18T19:18:05Z

AlexWest:

<!--'''1066''' is the year of the [[Norman Conquest]] of [[England]] (''see main article: [[Battle of Hastings]]'')

[[Category: English History]]

100 AD

2011-09-18T19:18:05Z

AlexWest:

<!--[[Barracks Emperors]]

[[Constantine]]

[[Diocletian]]

[[Han Empire]]

[[Manichaeism]]

[[Category:Years]]

103rd United States Congress

2011-09-18T19:18:04Z

AlexWest:

<!--The '''103rd United States Congress''' refers to the sessions of [[Congress]] from January 3, 1993 to January 3, 1995. [[Tom Foley]] retained the Speakership and many Democratic policies were put into force. Among these were the [[Family Medical Leave Act]], the [[Brady Bill]], and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. This was the last Congress for 12 years that Democrats would retain a majority in the House, as dissatisfied voters elected a Republican majority in the [[104th Congress]].

[[Category:United States Congress]]

104th Congress

2011-09-18T19:18:03Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[104th United States Congress]]

101st Airborne Division

2011-09-18T19:18:02Z

AlexWest:

<!--[[Image:101st airborne.jpg|thumb|right|Major General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] encouraging the men of the 101st Airborne Division]]
The '''101st Airborne Division''' is a division of the [[United States Army]] that provides forcible entry capability through heliborne 'air assault' operations. Capable of inserting a 4,000 soldier combined arms task force, 150-kilometers into enemy terrain in one lift, and possessing 281 helicopters, including three battalions of Apache attack helicopters, this division is the most versatile in the Army. For this reason, the 101st Airborne Division is the division most in demand by combatant commanders.

Based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the division is capable of inserting a 4,000 soldier combined arms task force, 150-kilometers into enemy terrain in one lift, and possessing 281 helicopters, including three battalions of Apache attack helicopters, this division is the most versatile in the Army. For this reason, the 101st Airborne Division is the division most in demand by combatant commanders.

The 101st stands as the Army's and world's only air assault division with unequaled strategic and tactical mobility. The 101st is unique in that it normally conducts operations 150 to 300 kilometers beyond the line of contact or forward-line-of-own-troops, requiring theater- and national-level intelligence support as a matter of course.

The 101st was formed on August 15th, 1942. The 101st played a key role in [[D-Day]] landings on June 6th, 1944. The night before the invasion they were dropped behind enemy lines. The planes carrying them were under heavy antiaircraft fire and took evasive action. Scattering much of the division all over [[Normandy]]. They caused havoc among the [[German]] ranks even though they were not formed up into their proper units and companies. After [[World War II]] the 101st Airborne Division was deactivated.

In 1956, the 101st was reactivated as a combat division. Lead elements of the division deployed to [[Vietnam]] in 1965, and were joined by the rest of the division in 1967. In 1968, the 101st was reorganized as an airmobile division. In 1973, after its return from Vietnam the 101st was designated an air assault division, and is the only air assault division in the U.S. Army.

In 1991, the 101st Airborne fought in the [[Desert Storm|Persian Gulf conflict]], conducting air assault operations deep into enemy territory. The 101st sustained no soldiers killed in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of enemy prisoners of war. Today, the 101st Airborne serves in [[Iraq]].

==External links==
*[http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/101stairborne/index.html The Story of the 101st Airborne Division] (WWII book)

[[category:United States Army]]

.pst

2011-09-18T19:18:02Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[File format (.pst)]]

1. FC Köln

2011-09-18T19:18:01Z

AlexWest:

<!--'''1. FC Koln''' is a [[German]] [[soccer]] team currently playing in the [[Bundesliga]]. The club plays in Cologne. The colors are red, black, and white, and the mascot is a goat. The current manager is Christoph Daum and the current sponsor is Gerling.

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*1 Faryd Mondragon
*18 Thomas Kessler
*32 Dieter Paucken

===Defenders===
*2 Miso Brecko
*3 Youssef Mohamad
*4 Marvin Matip
*5 Ümit Özat
*6 Tobias Nickenig
*17 Kevin Pezzoni
*21 Pedro Geromel
*23 Kevin McKenna
*25 Kevin Schöneberg
*26 Aleksandar Mitreski
*27 Michael Parensen
*28 Carsten Cullmann

===Midfielders===
*10 Thomas Broich
*12 Petit
*13 Daniel Brosinski
*16 André
*20 Roda Antar
*22 Fabrice Ehret
*29 Taner Yalcin
*33 Michael Niedrig

===Strikers===
*7 Nemanja Vucicevic
*8 Matthias Scherz
*9 [[Manasseh Ishiaku]]
*11 Milivoje Novakovic
*14 Wilfried Sanou
*19 Adil Chihi
*30 Michael Gardawski

==Notable Former Players==
*ST [[Tony Woodcock]]

[[Category:German Soccer]]
[[Category:Bundesliga 1 teams]]

.net runtime environment

2011-09-18T19:18:00Z

AlexWest:

<!--The '''.NET runtime environment''' is a virtual machine for executing Just In Time (JIT) compiled byte-code ([[MSIL]]) for software written in [[.Net framework|.NET]] [[Programming language|programming languages]] such as [[C#]] and [[Visual Basic.net]].

[[category:information technology]]

"pump em up

2011-09-18T19:18:00Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Pump 'Em Up]]

1000 BC

2011-09-18T19:18:00Z

AlexWest:

<!--[[Assyrian Empire]]

[[Iron Smelting]]

[[Solomon]]

[[Category:Years]]

0

2011-09-18T19:18:00Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Zero]]

1. FC Koln

2011-09-18T19:17:59Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[1. FC Köln]]

.net framework

2011-09-18T19:17:59Z

AlexWest:

<!--The '''.NET Framework''' is a library of [[software]] modules for writing software that run on [[Microsoft]]'s [[.Net runtime environment|.NET runtime environment]].
[[category:information technology]]

.NET runtime environment

2011-09-18T19:17:59Z

AlexWest:

<!--#Redirect[[.Net runtime environment]]

+/-

2011-09-18T19:17:59Z

AlexWest:

<!--#redirect [[Plus/minus]]

.NET

2011-09-18T19:17:58Z

AlexWest:

<!--{{Disambiguation}}

You could be looking for:
*[[.Net framework|.NET framework]] - a [[Microsoft]] library of software modules
*[[.Net runtime environment|.NET runtime environment]] - a [[Microsoft]] byte-code interpreter for languages that utilize the [[.Net framework|.NET framework]]

[[Category:Disambiguation Pages]]

"lame duck" session

2011-09-18T19:17:58Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [["Lame duck" Session]]

.NET framework

2011-09-18T19:17:58Z

AlexWest:

<!--#Redirect[[.Net framework]]

.50 AE

2011-09-18T19:17:56Z

AlexWest:

<!--#Redirect[[.50 Action Express]]

.50 Action Express

2011-09-18T19:17:55Z

AlexWest:

<!--The '''.50 Action Express''' is a large-bore handgun cartridge designed in 1988 by Evan Whildin, primarily for use in [[Magnum Research]]'s [[Desert Eagle]] handgun. It was later used in Magnum Research's [[Big Frame Revolver]], as well as some other weapons by other companies.

Due to the heavy recoil of such a large caliber bullet, smaller cartridges that are still easily lethal are generally preferred for self defense. Use for such a high caliber usually involves metallic silhouette shooting or [[handgun]] [[hunting]]. It is also used for self defense against thick-skinned animals that would not normally be killed by smaller cartridges, like [[bear]]. Hunters or people living in areas with animals like bears would need such a gun.

[[Category:Guns]]

$

2011-09-18T19:17:55Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Dollar]]

's-Hertogenbosch

2011-09-18T19:17:54Z

AlexWest:

<!--''''s-Hertogenbosch''', familiarly called '''Den Bosch''' (literally, the Duke's Wood; ''Bois-le-Duc'' in French) is the capital of southern Dutch province of [[Noord Brabant]]. Created a city in 1185, it was an important centre in the middle ages and as late as the sixteenth century was the second-largest city in the present Netherlands. It suffered during the Dutch Wars of Independence, and later in the 19th century from blinkered municipal authorities who forbade industrial or educational development in the city. This has, however, led to the preservation of an antique townscape which has made Den Bosch a tourist centre.

The city has a population of 136,000

[[Category:Dutch Cities and Towns]]

"Signing statement"

2011-09-18T19:17:54Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Signing statement]]

"information theory"

2011-09-18T19:17:53Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Information theory]]

"christmas tree" bill

2011-09-18T19:17:53Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [["Christmas tree" bill]]

"Tax revolt"

2011-09-18T19:17:53Z

AlexWest:

<!--#redirect[[Tax revolt]]

"Sunday of Orthodoxy"

2011-09-18T19:17:52Z

AlexWest:

<!--The '''Sunday of Orthodoxy''' is the first Sunday of [[Lent]] in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. This day commemorates the end of the [[Iconoclastic controversy]]. The day is commemorated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, which is preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on Saturday evening.

Orthodox faithful carry icons in a procession, while the clergy offer petitions for the people, civil authorities, and those who have reposed in the faith. It is the norm for persons to carry the Saint for whom they were named.

[[Category:Christianity|S]]

"Oceanic" Volcanoes

2011-09-18T19:17:51Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Oceanic volcanoes]]

"Lame duck" Session

2011-09-18T19:17:51Z

AlexWest:

<!--A '''"lame duck" session"''' is when [[Congress]] (either chamber) reconvenes in an even-numbered year following the [[November]] general [[election|elections]] to consider various items of business. Some [[lawmakers]] who return for this session will not be in the next [[Congress]]. Hence, they are informally called "lame duck" members participating in a "lame duck" session.<ref>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/appropriation.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:United States Senate Terms]]

"Same-sex marriage"

2011-09-18T19:17:50Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Same-sex marriage]]

"Must pass" bill

2011-09-18T19:17:49Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [["Must pass" Bill]]

"Merriam-Webster"

2011-09-18T19:17:49Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Merriam-Webster]]

"Christmas Tree" Bill

2011-09-18T19:17:48Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [["Christmas tree" bill]]

"Hallelujah"

2011-09-18T19:17:47Z

AlexWest:

<!--"Hallelujah" is a song written and originally performed by the Canadian singer song writer Leonard Cohen. It has been covered by several other singers (e.g., Sheryl Crowe, [[Bob Dylan]]) and appeared on the sound tracks of popular movies like the cartoon Shrek (performed by John Cale in the movie and by Rufus Wainwright on the soundtrack album). The winner of the 2008 ''X factor'' (British version of ''American Idol'') Alexandra Burke performed "Hallelujah" in her finale.

The song's first set of lyrics is
{{cquote|Now I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

[[Hallelujah]]

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah}}

==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI as performed by Leonard Cohen]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAaw6VWpk4A&feature=related as performed by Alexandra Burke]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Lz5gMU1Y8&feature=related as performed in the movie-length cartoon Shrek]

[[Category:Songs]]

"Must pass" Bill

2011-09-18T19:17:46Z

AlexWest:

<!--A '''"must pass" bill''' is a vitally important measure that [[Congress]] must enact, such as annual money [[bill|bills]] to fund operations of the [[government]]. Because of their must-pass quality, these measures often attract "[[riders]]" (unrelated [[policy]] [[provisos]]).<ref>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/appropriation.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:United States Government Word Definitions]]

.

Gaussian integral

2011-09-18T19:17:45Z

AlexWest:

<!--{{move|Gaussian integral}} (The current version uses quotation marks in the title!)
{{Template:Math-h}}
The '''Gaussian integral''' is the integral:

:<math> \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}dx. </math>

It has a value of <math>\sqrt\pi</math>. The value is needed to normalize the [[Normal distribution]].

==Derivation==

First look at the [[Double integral|double integral]]

<math>\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2-y^2}dxdy.</math>

Separating it,

<math>\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}dx \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-y^2}dy = (\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}dx)^2 </math>

So, the double integral is merely the square of the Gaussian integral.

Now, do the double integral in polar co-ordinates. <math>-x^2-y^2= -(x^2+y^2) = -r^2</math> and <math>dxdy=rdrd\theta</math>, so:

<math>\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2-y^2}dxdy = \int_{0}^{2\pi}\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-r^2}rdrd\theta</math>

<math> = (\int_{0}^{2\pi}d\theta)(\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-r^2}rdr)</math>

<math> = 2\pi \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-r^2}rdr.</math>

Substituting <math>z=r^2</math> into the integral,

<math> = 2\pi \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-z}(z^{1/2})(\frac{dz}{2z^{1/2}})</math>

<math> = \pi \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-z}dz = \pi \left[-e^{-z} \right]_0^{\infty} = \pi.</math>

Therefore,

<math>(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}dx)^2 = \pi </math>

<math>\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}dx = \sqrt\pi.</math>

[[category:mathematics]]

"Butch" Otter

2011-09-18T19:17:44Z

AlexWest:

<!--<!--#REDIRECT [[Butch Otter]]

"City"-class gunboat

2011-09-18T19:17:44Z

AlexWest:

<!--<!--{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300" style="margin-left:5px"
|align="center" colspan="2"|[[Image:H56663a.jpg|300px]]
|-
!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|"City" class ironclad gunboat
|-
!align ="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|Career
!align ="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|[[Image:34 star jack.png|48px|United States Navy Jack]]
|-
|-
| Class:
| "City" (also referred to as ''Cairo''-class)
|-
| Ordered:
| 1861
|-
| Completed and commissioned:
| ''Carondelet'', ''St. Louis'', ''Cairo'', ''Pittsburgh'', ''Mound City'', ''Cincinnati'', ''Louisville''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| General characteristics
|-
| Displacement:
| 512 tons
|-
| Length:
| 175 feet
|-
| Beam:
| 51 feet 2 inches
|-
| Draft:
| 6 ft
|-
| Speed:
| 8 knots
|-
| Crew compliment:
| 251 officers and men
|-
| Armament:
| Four 42-pound rifles; three 8" smoothbores; six 32-pound smoothbores
|}
The so-called '''"City"-class gunboat''' was several ironclad warships constructed between August 1861 and January 1862 by private contractor James B. Eads for use on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The first armored warships to see action during the [[American Civil War]], they would play an integral role in the Western Theater of operations.

==Description==
As the Civil War began it was realized early-on that control of the Mississippi was vital to winning the war. The chief vessel on the river was the paddle-wheel steamer, which was a large passenger-and freight carrying craft designed with a low-water displacement, ideal for the shallow depths of the river. Eads, a retired engineer who made his fortune salvaging sunken ships, took on the task of building a fleet of seven ships based on a design by Samuel M. Pook. The low, wide casemated design of the vessels led to the derisive name of "Pook's Turtles." All were completed within a span of six months at an average cost of $101,800 each.

Originally intended to be named for Union military leaders, Eads was overruled in that respect by the commander of the Western Flotilla, Rear Admiral Andrew H. Foote, who named them after cities and towns along the banks of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Thus, although each vessel was unique in its own regard, they became collectively known as the "City"-class.

All ships of the "City"-class were paddle-wheel steamers (the exception was ''Mound City'', which had a screw propeller); their construction on the ways began as typical riverboats. From the waterline up they were covered with a box-shaped casemate enclosing up to twelve Dahlgren smoothbore guns arranged in broadside fashion, with three poking out of the bow. Above the casemate stood the conning tower in front, a smaller, rounded casemate at the rear to protect the paddle wheels, and in the center were twin stacks, which had painted bands near the top in a color particular to the vessel, so as to be readily identifiable in battle.

==Gunboats==
====USS ''Carondelet''====
[[Image:H49991.jpg|right|200px|thumb|USS ''Carondelet'']]
''Carondelet'', an ironclad river gunboat, was built in 1861 by James B. Eads and Company, St. Louis, Mo., under contract to the War Department; commissioned 15 January at Cairo, Illinois, naval Captain H. Walke in command, and reported to Western Gunboat Flotilla (Army), commanded by naval Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote.

Between January and October 1862 ''Carondelet'' operated almost constantly on river patrol and in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson in February; the passing of Island No. 10 and the attack on and spiking of the shore batteries below New Madrid, Missouri in April; the lengthy series of operations against Plum Point Bend, Fort Pillow, and Memphis from April through June, and the engagement with CSS ''Arkansas'' on 15 July, during which ''Carondelet'' was heavily damaged and suffered 35 casualties.

Transferred to Navy Department control with the other ships of her flotilla on 1 October 1862, ''Carondelet'' continued the rapid pace of her operations, taking part in the unsuccessful Steele's Bayou Expedition in March 1863. One of those to pass the Vicksburg and Warrenton batteries in April 1863, ''Carondelet'' took part on 29 Aprilin the five and one-half hour engagement with the batteries at Grand Gulf. She remained on duty off Vicksburg, hurling fire at the city in its long siege from May to July. Without her and her sisters and other naval forces, the great operations on the rivers would not have been possible and northern victory might not have been won. From 7 March to 15 May 1864, she sailed with the Red River Expedition, and during operations in support of Army movements ashore, took part in the Bell's Mill engagement of December 1864. For the remainder of the war, ''Carondelet'' patrolled in the Cumberland River. She was decommissioned at Mound City, Illinois, 20 June 1865, and sold there 29 November 1865.

====USS ''St. Louis'' / ''Baron De Kalb''====
''St. Louis'', a stern wheel casemate gunboat was built by Eads in Carondelet, Missouri for the War Department, and launched on 12 October 1861 and joined the Western Gunboat Fleet.

During 1862 ''St. Louis'', under the command of Lieutenant L. Paulding, was attached to Rear Admiral Foote's squadron and participated in the capture of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River (6 February 1862). She served as flagship for the squadron when it assisted the Union Army at the capture of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River (14-16 February 1862). Between April and June 1862, she operated against Fort Pillow, Tennessee. ''St. Louis'' was renamed ''Baron De Kalb'' 8 September 1862, and in October 1862 she was transferred to the Navy Department. During 21-28 December she took part in the Yazoo Expediton and participated in the action at Drumgould's Bluff (28 December).

During 1863 ''Baron De Kalb'' took part in the capture of Arkansas Post (10-11 January); expedition up the White River (12-14 January); Yazoo Pass Expedition (20 February-5 April); action at Fort Pemberton (11-13 March); action at Haines' Bluff (29 April-2 May, 18 May); action at Yazoo City, Mississippi. (20-23 May); and the Yazoo River Expedition (24-31 May). On 13 July 1963 ''Baron De Kalb'' was sunk by a torpedo in the Yazoo River, one mile below Yazoo City.

====USS ''Cairo''====
''Cairo'', an ironclad river gunboat, was built in 1861 by Eads and Company, Mound City, Illinois, under an Army contract; and commissioned as an Army ship 25 January 1862, naval Lieutenant James M. Prichett in command.

''Cairo'' served with the Army's Western Gunboat Fleet, commanded by Flag Officer Foote on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and their tributaries until transferred to the Navy 1 October 1862 with the other river gunboats. Active in the occupation of Clarksville, Tennessee, 17 February 1862, and of Nashville, 25 February, ''Cairo'' stood down the river 12 April escorting mortar boats to begin the lengthy operations against Fort Pillow. An engagement with Confederate gunboats at Plum Point Bend on 11 May marked a series of blockading and bombardment activities which culminated in the abandonment of the Fort by its defenders on 4 June.

Two days later, 6 June 1862, ''Cairo'' joined in the triumph of seven Union ships and a tug over eight Confederate gunboats off Memphis, an action in which five of the opposing gunboats were sunk or run ashore, two seriously damaged, and only one managed to escape. That night Union forces occupied the city. ''Cairo'' returned to patrol on the Mississippi until 21 November when she joined the Yazoo Expedition. On 12 December 1862, while clearing mines from the river preparatory to the attack on Haines Bluff, Mississippi, ''Cairo'' struck an electrically-operated torpedo and sank, the first vessel in history to be sunk by that method. Her wreck was recovered in 1965, but was badly damaged during the salvage efforts. It has subsequently been partially restored and is on exhibit at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

====USS ''Pittsburgh''====
The first ''Pittsburgh'' (often spelled ''Pittsburg''), a sidewheel, ironclad gunboat, was built under War Department contract by James B. Eads, St. Louis, Mo. in 1861; and commissioned in January 1862, Lt. Egbert Thompson in command.

Joining Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote’s Western Gunboat Flotilla in river patrol duty, ''Pittsburgh'' attacked Fort Donelson 14 February 1862, and was damaged by counter-fire. The support from the gunboats contributed greatly to the capture of the strategic fort two days later.

Repaired, she attacked Island No. 10 on 3 April, then ran its batteries by dark 7 April being lashed by a heavy thunderstorm as well as the island’s 73 guns. This daring feat made it possible for her and ''Carondelet'' to demolish batteries below New Madrid that same day, clearing the way for the Army to cross the Mississippi.

''Pittsburgh'' gave continued service in the lengthy series of operations which wrested control of the lower Mississippi from the Confederacy. Her flotilla, previously under Army control, came under naval command 1 October 1862. Highlights of her service were the operations against Plum Point Bend, Fort Pillow and Memphis in April, May and June 1862; the Steele’s Bayou Expedition of March 1863; and the passing of the Vicksburg batteries 16 April 1863. She led the attack on the batteries at Grand Gulf 29 April, and was heavily damaged during the five-and-a-half hour engagement which secured Union control of an important stretch of the river, making it possible for Grant to cross the river and attack Vicksburg from the rear. The strong Confederate river fortress surrendered 4 July allowing President Abraham Lincoln at last to report, “The Father of Waters flows unvexed to the sea.”

Patrol and bombardment missions on the Mississippi were interrupted the following year when ''Pittsburgh'' joined in the Red River Expedition from March to May 1864. At the close of the war, she decommissioned at Mound City, and was sold there 29 November 1865.

====USS ''Mound City''====
[[Image:H72806.jpg|right|200px|thumb|USS ''Mound City'']]
Ironclad screw steamer ''Mound City'', built at St. Louis, Mo., 7 August 1861 by James B. Eads, joined the War Department’s flotilla on the western rivers in 1862, Commander A. H. Kilty in command.

Departing Cairo in March, ''Mound City'' operated off Island No. 10, the key to the Mississippi, and New Madrid. Pope’s army took New Madrid on the 13th, thus removing the strong Confederate network of communications and eliminating a major obstacle to Union control of the upper Mississippi. After the surrender of Island No. 10 on 7 April, ''Mound City'' seized Confederate ship ''Red Rover'', damaged by mortar fire. Sent to Cairo, ''Red Rover'' was subsequently converted to the Navy’s first hospital ship.

Union capture of Fort Pillow 1 April did not entirely eliminate the Confederate resistance; eight Confederate gunboats made a spirited attack on Union gun‑boats and mortars at Plum Point Bend 10 May. Colonel Lovell rammed Mound City, forcing her ashore to avoid sinking. Meanwhile, Union ships bombarded Fort Pillow daily, reducing Confederate will to fight. Speeding to aid rammed and sinking ''Cincinnati'' off Ship Island, ''Mound City'' was rammed by ''General Van Dorn'', completely wrenching off ''Mound City’s'' bow. Her bow replaced at Mound City, the steamer ran up White River in June, engaging Confederate batteries at St. Charles, Arkansas; the complete Union victory at St. Charles gave the Union control of White River, but was costly to ''Mound City'' as one shot completely disabled her. In danger of sinking, she was towed from beneath the batteries by ''Conestoga''.

The Union forces met strong southern opposition throughout the summer and abandoned Vicksburg 6 August when ''Mound City'' formed part of the White River expedition, escorting transport ''White Cloud''. Union forces regrouped at Helena, from which ''Mound City'' departed 16 August with 6 other Union ships and two regiments 2d Brigade, 3d Division, Army of the Southwest on the Yazoo River expedition. The Army‑Navy expedition captured steamer ''Fairplay'' 20 miles above Vicksburg, where the ships were unable to proceed due to shallow water.

Meanwhile, McClernand was formulating his plans for the assault on Vicksburg. From October 1862 through March 1863, ''Mound City'' was with ''Pittsburgh'', ''Carondelet'', and ''Louisville'' as part of the Grand Gulf venture. Passing the upper batteries of Grand Gulf 12 October, the ships completely silenced the lower fort. ''Mound City'', ''Carondelet'', ''Signal'', and ''Marmora'' steamed to the mouth of Yazoo River 25 November to prevent southern blockade of it, remaining here on guard duty through March.

''Mound City'' formed part of the Yazoo Pass Expedition via Steele’s Bayou 14 March as Union ships attempted to strike the rear defenses of Vicksburg. Returning to more direct action against Vicksburg, ''Mound City’s'' bold passage of the batteries 14 April dampened the enthusiasm of Confederate sympathizers along the shore, contributing to early Union seizure of Grand Gulf and the eventual fall of Vicksburg. On the 27th, ''Mound City'' joined 7 other Union gunboats in attacks on Grand Gulf.

After attacking Warrenton, Mississippi, 10 May and destroying a battery, she guarded the river from Grand Gulf depot to Hard Times. She returned to Vicksburg 18 June for a 3‑day expedition to Cole’s Creek, destroying six or seven small boats. After shelling the batteries at Vicksburg 3 July, she steamed to Lake Providence, Ga., 7 August when she fired on and dispersed Confederate cavalry, thereafter guarding this part of the river.

Off Davis plantation in January 1864, she endeavored to raise ''Indianola'', sunk in Red River in 1862. Seizing tug ''Rawlins'' off Natchez 2 March, ''Mound City'' joined 17 other ships and Sherman’s troops in the Red River Expedition 16 March through 22 May in an effort to enter Texas via Alexandria, Louisiana, to counter the threat from Maximilian. Shallow water proved an obstacle as ''Mound City'' and ''Carondelet'' grounded near the wing dams across Red River 10 May. Hauled across the upper falls above the obstructions by throngs of straining soldiers, the ships were able to get free. ''Mound City'' spent the remainder of the year guarding ''Indianola''.

She joined the expedition to Black River in May 1865, turning back from Baldwin’s Perry on learning of an imminent attack. After the end of the conflict, she returned to Mound City for dismantling but was sold there at public auction to Frank Bennet 9 November 1865.

====USS ''Cincinnati''====
The first ''Cincinnati'', a stern-wheel casemate gunboat, was built in 1861 under a War Department contract by James Eads, St. Louis, Mo., and commissioned at Mound City, 16 January 1862, naval Lieutenant G. M. Bache in command.

Assigned to duty with the Army in the Western Gunboat Flotilla under naval Flag Officer Foote, ''Cincinnati'' participated in the attack and capture of Fort Henry (6 February 1862); the operations against Island No. 10 (12 March-7 April 1862); the engagement with the Confederate gunboat fleet at Plum Point Bend and the bombardment of Fort Pillow (10 May 1862). This important series of operations was aimed at splitting the Confederacy. During the last engagement ''Cincinnati'', the lead vessel, was repeatedly struck by enemy rams and sunk.

Raised and returned to service, ''Cincinnati'' was transferred to the Navy Department 1 October 1862 with other vessels of the Western Gunboat Flotilla. She participated in the Army-Navy operation against Port of Arkansas and installations on the White River in January 1863, then was ordered to the Yazoo River where she took part in Steele's Bayou Expedition (14-27 March 1863). Joining the attack on the Vicksburg batteries (27 May 1863), ''Cincinnati'' came under heavy fire and was sunk for the second time, suffering 40 casualties.

Raised again in August 1863 ''Cincinnati'' returned to patrol duty on the Mississippi River and its tributaries until February 1865 when she was transferred to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. She patrolled off Mobile Bay and in the Mississippi Sounds until placed out of commission 4 August 1865 at Algiers, La. She was sold at New Orleans 28 March 1866.

====USS ''Louisville''====
''Louisville'' was built at St. Louis, Mo., by J. B. Eads in 1861, under contract with the War Department; was accepted 15 January 1862; and commissioned 16 January 1862, Comdr. Benjamin H. Dove in command.

Part of the War Department’s flotilla on the western rivers, ''Louisville'' assisted the Army in the capture of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River 14 to 16 February 1862. From 1 to 5 March, she aided in the occupation of Columbus, Ky., the “Gibraltar of the West.” Departing Cairo, Ill., 14 March, she served in the capture of Island No. 10 and New Madrid, Mo., through 7 April, and helped to prevent southern ships from ascending the river.

In May, ''Louisville'' was ordered to Fort Pillow and participated in the Battle of Memphis on 6 June. Commanded by Rear Adm. Charles H. Davis, her squadron captured and sank the Confederate Mississippi flotilla. On 15 June, she attacked the upper batteries at Vicksburg, before shifting efforts to the White River, departing Helena, Ark., 5 August. Escorting Benton and Bragg to the mouth of the river, she met little resistance. On 1 October, she was transferred to the Navy.

After escorting transport ''Meteor'', disembarking troops at Bledsoe’s and Hamblen’s landings 21 October, ''Louisville'' returned to Helena to join the gunboat fleet, Mississippi Squadron.

She joined ''Baron De Kalb'', ''Cincinnati'', ''Lexington'', ''Signal'', ''New Era'', ''Romeo'', ''Rattler'', and ''Glide'' later in the month on an expedition up the White River in support of General Sherman’s army. ''Louisville'' captured the steamer ''Evansville'' near Island No. 36 on 1 November.

''Louisville'' aided in the capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, 4 to 11 January 1863, and formed part of the expedition through Steele’s Bayou, 14 to 28 January. She was ordered to the Yazoo River the 31st and moved to stop Confederates felling trees across the bayou on 21 March. She then turned her attention to the batteries on the river, running past those at Vicksburg on 16 April, and engaging the lower ones on the 29th. She joined ''Pittsburgh'', ''Mound City'', and ''Carondolet'' on that date, silencing the guns of the fort on Grand Gulf and helping to establish the siege which forced Vicksburg’s surrender 4 July 1863.

From 12 March to 22 May 1864, ''Louisville'' joined in the expedition up the Red River, La. On 2 June she engaged Confederate batteries 7 miles below Columbia, Ark., silencing the guns. She landed Union troops at Sunnyside 6 June and anchored off Shipwith’s Landing the 20th, to learn that Confederates were traveling upriver with a heavy force, and had crossed Cypress Creek and Bartholomew’s Bayou 20 June with cavalry, infantry, and artillery. On learning that Parson’s brigade was 10 miles back of Gaines’ Landing, providing reinforcements, ''Louisville'' departed immediately for that point, and helped break up the Confederate attack.

''Louisville'' continued service on the Mississippi until decommissioning 21 July 1865. She was sold at public auction at Mound City 29 November 1865.

''This article incorporates text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, a work in the public domain''

[[Category:United States Navy]][[Category:American Civil War]]

"Constitution Lecture One"

2011-09-18T19:17:43Z

AlexWest:

<!--CONSTITUTION LECTURE ONE.

GETTING STARTED ON A GREAT ADVENTURE!

1. Course Materials
2. How to Read: Objective meaning? Or, subjective interpretation?
3. First Homework Assignment
4. Thinking about Our Constitution

1. Course Materials: You need 4 items:

a) '''Pocket copy of [[Declaration of Independence]] and The [[U.S. Constitution]]'''. www.askheritage.org/ has them.

b) '''The Federalist Papers'''. This is a collection of 85 essays written during 1787-1788 by [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[James Madison]], and [[John Jay]], in order to explain the proposed Constitution to The People and to induce them to ratify it. For this reason, [[The Federalist Papers]] are THE authoritative commentary on the meaning of The Constitution.

The late 18th century style of writing might seem difficult at first; but if you stick with it, you will get used to it. The authors were geniuses in political philosophy, and they are delightful! James Madison, of course, is The Father of the U.S. Constitution.

There are web editions with searchable texts, and Amazon has hard copies.

c) '''Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)'''.[Go to www.lexrex.com/catalog/webster1828.htm ] I have the big beautiful green & gold hard copy which is a facsimile of the original. It costs almost $60.00; but is worth it. Amazon also has it in hard copy and in kindle for $10.00.

You need Webster's because words change meaning throughout time: 200 years ago, "nice" meant "precise". "Choice" now means "abortion". For the statist-in-chief, words have no objective meaning at all - they are merely devices to create emotional reactions in his mindless followers. The statists have been hard at work for many years destroying our Language. There IS a political motive for destroying a Language! [See George Orwell's Essay, "Politics and the English Language" at www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm ] To restore Our Constitutional Republic, we must learn what the Words meant when The Constitution was written.

d) '''Colored pencils'''.

2. How should we read The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Federalist Papers? There are two schools of thought:

a) The Traditional View, which I urge you to embrace, is that texts have a fixed and objective meaning, and it is the reader's task to ascertain '''that''' meaning. In order to do this, you must, among other things, pay close attention to definitions of words - you must understand the meaning of words the same way the author understood them. This is why you need Webster's 1828 Dictionary.

You must also lay aside your own views and everything you think you already know about the subject so that you can read with an open mind, and so you don't read your own views into the text. Here is a common example of such error: Our allies are rightly angry at the "federal" government in Washington, D.C. But to some of these allies, "federal" has become a very bad word synonymous with statist government. So, they argue, since Hamilton, Madison, and Jay were "federalists", they were big-government statists, and the Anti-federalists were the ones with the right idea!

But this dreadful error can be avoided simply by opening your mind and by looking up ''federal'' in Webster's! There, we learn that ''federal'' meant:

<blockquote>
Consisting in a compact between parties, particularly and chiefly between states or nations; founded on alliance by contract or mutual agreement; as a ''federal'' government, such as that of the United States.
</blockquote>

It is the federal government created by The Constitution which is explained and endorsed in The Federalist Papers. The federal government created by Our Constitution bears no resemblance whatsoever to the illegitimate dictatorship now in Washington, D.C.

b) The modern view on how to understand a literary text is that a text means whatever the reader thinks it means. The concept of a text having a fixed and objective meaning has been thrown out altogether! [See article on "Deconstruction" at www.yale.edu/lawweb/jbalkin/articles/deconessay.pdf ]

The sorry result of this view is that American educrats no longer teach how to read for the objective meaning of a text. It has become the dogma of our time that texts have no “objective meaning” to be discovered! Instead, each person is to come up with his own “understanding” – and one person’s “understanding” is as good as another’s. A friend recalls the following incident which occurred in an high school English class during 1960: The class read a short story, and then the teacher asked each student to say what the story meant to him. Whatever a student said was praised by the teacher. But when it was my friend’s turn, he said: “It doesn’t matter what it means to me – what matters is what the author meant.” The teacher was not pleased with this ‘out of place’ comment. Is it any wonder that judges on the U.S. Supreme Court feel free to “understand” the Constitution any way they please? They were '''''conditioned''' in school'' to “think” that way; but '''they''' did not resist the conditioning.

But here, you will learn how to read our Founding Documents to look for and find the "original intent" - the "objective" meaning of the Documents.

3. First homework assignment:

a) Take your pocket copy of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. Go through both documents carefully and underline all references to God. Be sure you don't miss the express recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ which is contained within The Constitution!

b) For now, read through only the first Seven Articles of The Constitution. We will address the Amendments later.

With another color, go through The Constitution (through Art. VII) and underline each of the law-making powers delegated by The Constitution to Congress. Most of the powers delegated to Congress are listed ("enumerated") at Art. I, Sec. 8; however, other enumerated powers granted to Congress are set forth elsewhere in The Constitution.

Use another color for the powers delegated to The Executive Branch; and a 4th color for the judicial power of the federal courts.

c) Use a 5th color to underline all powers which are specifically forbidden to the federal government.

Use a 6th color to underline all powers which are specifically forbidden to The States.

4. Thinking about Our Constitution: Re-read The Preamble. With respect to The Constitution: Who established it and put it into effect? Who is the "creator" and who is the "creature"? Who is the "master" and who is the "servant"?
[[Category:Homeschool Curriculum]]

"Big Bill" Haywood

2011-09-18T19:17:42Z

AlexWest:

<!--'''William Dudley "Big Bill" Haywood''' (1869-1928) was the founder in 1905 of the [[Industrial Workers of the World]] (IWW), nicknamed the "Wobblies".<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/d_h/haywood.htm William "Big Bill" Haywood] (1869-1928), ''The West'' (PBS)</ref>

Before founding the IWW, Haywood, an avowed atheist<ref>J. Anthony Lukas, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=d07IME-ezzQC Big Trouble: A Murder in a Small Western Town Sets Off a Struggle for the Soul of America]'' (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1998) ISBN 0684846179, p. 236</ref> and Communist,<ref>Jamie H. Cockfield, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=LkiUgn3MTmEC Black Lebeda: The Russian Famine Diary of ARA Kazan District Supervisor J. Rives Childs, 1921-1923]'' (Mercer University Press, 2006), ISBN 088146015X, p. 91, fn. 50</ref> was secretary-treasurer of the Western Federation of Miners (WFM), to whom he suggested in 1899 that they had a right to steal gold because the nation's wealth belonged to those who produced it.<ref>Douglas Linder, [http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/haywood/HAY_WFM.HTM Western Federation of Miners, Bill Haywood Trial, Famous Trials</ref>

That year, while the Idaho state militia was in the Philippines, the WFM struck, seizing a Northern Pacific train and 400 pounds of dynamite. The mob, estimated at 1,000 men, many armed and masked, shot and killed two men, and blew up two mines,<ref>James H. Peabody, "Gov. Peabody to the Voters," in ''[http://ia311535.us.archive.org/3/items/criminalrecordof00mineiala/criminalrecordof00mineiala.pdf Criminal Record of the Western Federation of Miners]'' (Colorado Springs: Colorado Mine Operators' Association, 1904), p. 3 (PDF p. 9)</ref> causing $250,000 in damages,<ref>Various authors, ''[http://ia311311.us.archive.org/3/items/illustratedhisto00lewi/illustratedhisto00lewi_bw.pdf Illustrated History The State Of Idaho]'' (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1899), pp. 438-439</ref> equivalent to more than $5 million today.<ref>[http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl Inflation Calculator], Bureau of Labor Statistics</ref> In the absence of the militia, Governor Frank Steunenberg appealed to President William McKinley for Federal assistance. The U.S. Army sent 400 troops of the 24th Infantry and Fourth Cavalry (mostly African-Americans),<ref>Haywood complained of alleged "outrages that were perpetrated there by the Negro soldiers." J. Anthony Lukas, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=d07IME-ezzQC Big Trouble: A Murder in a Small Western Town Sets Off a Struggle for the Soul of America]'' (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1998) ISBN 0684846179, p. 699</ref> under Brigadier General H.C. Mirriam,<ref>"[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E04EFDF1430E132A25757C0A9639C94689ED7CF Wardner Rioters Arrested]," ''The New York Times'', May 4, 1899</ref> who placed Shoshone County under martial law, served warrants on hundreds of rioters, and quelled the violence.<ref>"[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D0DE7DE1430E132A25756C0A9639C94689ED7CF Search for Wardner Rioters]," ''The New York Times'', May 5, 1899</ref>

Steunenberg retired at the end of his term in 1901, but was assassinated in 1905 by a bomb planted at his home. Within hours and confronted with overwhelming evidence, former miner Albert E. Horsley (alias Thomas Hogan and Harry Orchard) confessed to the murder,<ref>Jan Boles, [http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/aboutaci/archives/GLC/default.asp?ID=about Selections from the George L. Crookham, Jr., Papers], The Robert E. Smylie Archives, The College of Idaho</ref> implicating Haywood as a co-conspirator.<ref>"[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F04E0D91E30E233A25754C0A9609C946697D6CF Orchard Tells Story of Bomb]", ''The New York Times'', June 7, 1907</ref> Horsley's partner Steve Adams also confessed<ref>"Idaho's Great Trial About to Begin," ''The New York Times'', April 21, 1907</ref> but later recanted and disappeared.<ref>Hon. Ronald J. Wilper, "Trial Judge Fremont Wood: He Declared the Law as He Found It," [http://isb.idaho.gov/pdf/advocate/adv06dec.pdf ''The Advocate'', December 2006], p. 18</ref> Haywood was indicted and tried in 1907 for conspiracy to commit murder.<ref>"[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B07E4D9133EE033A25750C2A9609C946697D6CF The State's Case Against Haywood]," ''The New York Times'', June 23, 1907</ref> He was represented by perhaps the greatest murder defense lawyer of his time,<ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0418.html Clarence Darrow Is Dead in Chicago]," ''The New York Times'', March 14, 1938</ref> Clarence Darrow.<ref>Douglas Linder, [http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/haywood/HAY_SUMD.HTM Excerpts from Darrow's Summation in the Haywood Trial], Bill Haywood Trial, Famous Trials</ref> Haywood was acquitted, after the judge instructed the jury, "under the statutes of this state, a person cannot be convicted of a crime upon testimony of an accomplice, unless such accomplice is corroborated by other evidence."<ref>[http://law.jrank.org/pages/2759/William-Big-Bill-Haywood-Trial-1907-Haywood-Goes-Free.html Haywood Goes Free], William "Big Bill" Haywood Trial: 1907, Notable Trials and Court Cases - 1883 to 1917, Law Library - American Law and Legal Information, jrank.org</ref>

Haywood meanwhile had left the WMF to found the IWW.<ref>Harry Orchard, ''[http://ia311533.us.archive.org/2/items/confessionsautob00horsuoft/confessionsautob00horsuoft.pdf The Confessions and Autobiography of Harry Orchard]'' (New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1907), p. 192 (PDF p. 224)</ref> [[Image:American-cities-125.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Bombing of the Federal building, Chicago, moments after [[#refNARAcities|95 Wobblies]] were convicted there, 1918. ''Source: National Archives and Records Administration'']]During World War I, the IWW tried to sabotage the U.S. war effort. All leading Wobblies were arrested by the [[Woodrow Wilson|Wilson Administration]] under the [[Sedition Act of 1918]] and went to prison. Moments after the sentencing of [[#refNARAcities|95 Wobbies]] (including Haywood) at the Chicago Federal Building in 1918, a bomb ripped through the building, killing four.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9502E2DB1439E13ABC4D53DFBF668383609EDE IWW Bomb Kills Four in Chicago]," ''The New York Times'', September 5, 1918; Charles Howard McCormick, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Vcvhrdr6drgC Hopeless Cases: The Hunt for the Red Scare Terrorist Bombers]'' (Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, 2005) ISBN 0761831320, pp. 31-31</ref> Out on appeal in 1921, Haywood fled to [[Moscow]], where he became a trusted adviser to the [[Bolshevik]] government.<ref>Douglas Linder (2003), [http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/haywood/HAY_BHAY.HTM William D. Haywood], Famous Trials (University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law)</ref>

In 1921, after the [[Bolsheviks]] [http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mhuey/TOC/KRN.frame.html brutally] [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B05EED8133CE533A25752C1A9659C946095D6CF crushed] a [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=23572 wave of strikes], Haywood betrayed the workers, saying, "every genuine labor union in the United States ought to affiliate with the International Council of Trade and Industrial Unions with its central bureau [http://www.marxists.org/archive/eastman/1921/bill-haywood.htm at Moscow]." Later renamed the World Federation of Labor Unions, this was the phony "union" created and controlled by the [[Kremlin]] to [http://www.cultinfo.ru/fulltext/1/001/008/093/699.htm suppress workers' rights] in the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>Israel Getzler, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=qK3m05CQhT4C Kronstadt 1917-1921: The Fate of a Soviet Democracy]'' (Cambridge University Press, 2002) ISBN 0521894425, p. 233</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Labor Union Leaders]]
[[Category:Communism]]

!

2011-09-18T19:17:41Z

AlexWest:

<!--<!--#REDIRECT [[Exclamation mark]]

"Butch" Otter

2011-09-18T19:16:51Z

AlexWest:

<!--#REDIRECT [[Butch Otter]]

"City"-class gunboat

2011-09-18T19:16:45Z

AlexWest:

<!--{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300" style="margin-left:5px"
|align="center" colspan="2"|[[Image:H56663a.jpg|300px]]
|-
!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|"City" class ironclad gunboat
|-
!align ="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|Career
!align ="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|[[Image:34 star jack.png|48px|United States Navy Jack]]
|-
|-
| Class:
| "City" (also referred to as ''Cairo''-class)
|-
| Ordered:
| 1861
|-
| Completed and commissioned:
| ''Carondelet'', ''St. Louis'', ''Cairo'', ''Pittsburgh'', ''Mound City'', ''Cincinnati'', ''Louisville''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| General characteristics
|-
| Displacement:
| 512 tons
|-
| Length:
| 175 feet
|-
| Beam:
| 51 feet 2 inches
|-
| Draft:
| 6 ft
|-
| Speed:
| 8 knots
|-
| Crew compliment:
| 251 officers and men
|-
| Armament:
| Four 42-pound rifles; three 8" smoothbores; six 32-pound smoothbores
|}
The so-called '''"City"-class gunboat''' was several ironclad warships constructed between August 1861 and January 1862 by private contractor James B. Eads for use on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The first armored warships to see action during the [[American Civil War]], they would play an integral role in the Western Theater of operations.

==Description==
As the Civil War began it was realized early-on that control of the Mississippi was vital to winning the war. The chief vessel on the river was the paddle-wheel steamer, which was a large passenger-and freight carrying craft designed with a low-water displacement, ideal for the shallow depths of the river. Eads, a retired engineer who made his fortune salvaging sunken ships, took on the task of building a fleet of seven ships based on a design by Samuel M. Pook. The low, wide casemated design of the vessels led to the derisive name of "Pook's Turtles." All were completed within a span of six months at an average cost of $101,800 each.

Originally intended to be named for Union military leaders, Eads was overruled in that respect by the commander of the Western Flotilla, Rear Admiral Andrew H. Foote, who named them after cities and towns along the banks of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Thus, although each vessel was unique in its own regard, they became collectively known as the "City"-class.

All ships of the "City"-class were paddle-wheel steamers (the exception was ''Mound City'', which had a screw propeller); their construction on the ways began as typical riverboats. From the waterline up they were covered with a box-shaped casemate enclosing up to twelve Dahlgren smoothbore guns arranged in broadside fashion, with three poking out of the bow. Above the casemate stood the conning tower in front, a smaller, rounded casemate at the rear to protect the paddle wheels, and in the center were twin stacks, which had painted bands near the top in a color particular to the vessel, so as to be readily identifiable in battle.

==Gunboats==
====USS ''Carondelet''====
[[Image:H49991.jpg|right|200px|thumb|USS ''Carondelet'']]
''Carondelet'', an ironclad river gunboat, was built in 1861 by James B. Eads and Company, St. Louis, Mo., under contract to the War Department; commissioned 15 January at Cairo, Illinois, naval Captain H. Walke in command, and reported to Western Gunboat Flotilla (Army), commanded by naval Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote.

Between January and October 1862 ''Carondelet'' operated almost constantly on river patrol and in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson in February; the passing of Island No. 10 and the attack on and spiking of the shore batteries below New Madrid, Missouri in April; the lengthy series of operations against Plum Point Bend, Fort Pillow, and Memphis from April through June, and the engagement with CSS ''Arkansas'' on 15 July, during which ''Carondelet'' was heavily damaged and suffered 35 casualties.

Transferred to Navy Department control with the other ships of her flotilla on 1 October 1862, ''Carondelet'' continued the rapid pace of her operations, taking part in the unsuccessful Steele's Bayou Expedition in March 1863. One of those to pass the Vicksburg and Warrenton batteries in April 1863, ''Carondelet'' took part on 29 Aprilin the five and one-half hour engagement with the batteries at Grand Gulf. She remained on duty off Vicksburg, hurling fire at the city in its long siege from May to July. Without her and her sisters and other naval forces, the great operations on the rivers would not have been possible and northern victory might not have been won. From 7 March to 15 May 1864, she sailed with the Red River Expedition, and during operations in support of Army movements ashore, took part in the Bell's Mill engagement of December 1864. For the remainder of the war, ''Carondelet'' patrolled in the Cumberland River. She was decommissioned at Mound City, Illinois, 20 June 1865, and sold there 29 November 1865.

====USS ''St. Louis'' / ''Baron De Kalb''====
''St. Louis'', a stern wheel casemate gunboat was built by Eads in Carondelet, Missouri for the War Department, and launched on 12 October 1861 and joined the Western Gunboat Fleet.

During 1862 ''St. Louis'', under the command of Lieutenant L. Paulding, was attached to Rear Admiral Foote's squadron and participated in the capture of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River (6 February 1862). She served as flagship for the squadron when it assisted the Union Army at the capture of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River (14-16 February 1862). Between April and June 1862, she operated against Fort Pillow, Tennessee. ''St. Louis'' was renamed ''Baron De Kalb'' 8 September 1862, and in October 1862 she was transferred to the Navy Department. During 21-28 December she took part in the Yazoo Expediton and participated in the action at Drumgould's Bluff (28 December).

During 1863 ''Baron De Kalb'' took part in the capture of Arkansas Post (10-11 January); expedition up the White River (12-14 January); Yazoo Pass Expedition (20 February-5 April); action at Fort Pemberton (11-13 March); action at Haines' Bluff (29 April-2 May, 18 May); action at Yazoo City, Mississippi. (20-23 May); and the Yazoo River Expedition (24-31 May). On 13 July 1963 ''Baron De Kalb'' was sunk by a torpedo in the Yazoo River, one mile below Yazoo City.

====USS ''Cairo''====
''Cairo'', an ironclad river gunboat, was built in 1861 by Eads and Company, Mound City, Illinois, under an Army contract; and commissioned as an Army ship 25 January 1862, naval Lieutenant James M. Prichett in command.

''Cairo'' served with the Army's Western Gunboat Fleet, commanded by Flag Officer Foote on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and their tributaries until transferred to the Navy 1 October 1862 with the other river gunboats. Active in the occupation of Clarksville, Tennessee, 17 February 1862, and of Nashville, 25 February, ''Cairo'' stood down the river 12 April escorting mortar boats to begin the lengthy operations against Fort Pillow. An engagement with Confederate gunboats at Plum Point Bend on 11 May marked a series of blockading and bombardment activities which culminated in the abandonment of the Fort by its defenders on 4 June.

Two days later, 6 June 1862, ''Cairo'' joined in the triumph of seven Union ships and a tug over eight Confederate gunboats off Memphis, an action in which five of the opposing gunboats were sunk or run ashore, two seriously damaged, and only one managed to escape. That night Union forces occupied the city. ''Cairo'' returned to patrol on the Mississippi until 21 November when she joined the Yazoo Expedition. On 12 December 1862, while clearing mines from the river preparatory to the attack on Haines Bluff, Mississippi, ''Cairo'' struck an electrically-operated torpedo and sank, the first vessel in history to be sunk by that method. Her wreck was recovered in 1965, but was badly damaged during the salvage efforts. It has subsequently been partially restored and is on exhibit at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

====USS ''Pittsburgh''====
The first ''Pittsburgh'' (often spelled ''Pittsburg''), a sidewheel, ironclad gunboat, was built under War Department contract by James B. Eads, St. Louis, Mo. in 1861; and commissioned in January 1862, Lt. Egbert Thompson in command.

Joining Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote’s Western Gunboat Flotilla in river patrol duty, ''Pittsburgh'' attacked Fort Donelson 14 February 1862, and was damaged by counter-fire. The support from the gunboats contributed greatly to the capture of the strategic fort two days later.

Repaired, she attacked Island No. 10 on 3 April, then ran its batteries by dark 7 April being lashed by a heavy thunderstorm as well as the island’s 73 guns. This daring feat made it possible for her and ''Carondelet'' to demolish batteries below New Madrid that same day, clearing the way for the Army to cross the Mississippi.

''Pittsburgh'' gave continued service in the lengthy series of operations which wrested control of the lower Mississippi from the Confederacy. Her flotilla, previously under Army control, came under naval command 1 October 1862. Highlights of her service were the operations against Plum Point Bend, Fort Pillow and Memphis in April, May and June 1862; the Steele’s Bayou Expedition of March 1863; and the passing of the Vicksburg batteries 16 April 1863. She led the attack on the batteries at Grand Gulf 29 April, and was heavily damaged during the five-and-a-half hour engagement which secured Union control of an important stretch of the river, making it possible for Grant to cross the river and attack Vicksburg from the rear. The strong Confederate river fortress surrendered 4 July allowing President Abraham Lincoln at last to report, “The Father of Waters flows unvexed to the sea.”

Patrol and bombardment missions on the Mississippi were interrupted the following year when ''Pittsburgh'' joined in the Red River Expedition from March to May 1864. At the close of the war, she decommissioned at Mound City, and was sold there 29 November 1865.

====USS ''Mound City''====
[[Image:H72806.jpg|right|200px|thumb|USS ''Mound City'']]
Ironclad screw steamer ''Mound City'', built at St. Louis, Mo., 7 August 1861 by James B. Eads, joined the War Department’s flotilla on the western rivers in 1862, Commander A. H. Kilty in command.

Departing Cairo in March, ''Mound City'' operated off Island No. 10, the key to the Mississippi, and New Madrid. Pope’s army took New Madrid on the 13th, thus removing the strong Confederate network of communications and eliminating a major obstacle to Union control of the upper Mississippi. After the surrender of Island No. 10 on 7 April, ''Mound City'' seized Confederate ship ''Red Rover'', damaged by mortar fire. Sent to Cairo, ''Red Rover'' was subsequently converted to the Navy’s first hospital ship.

Union capture of Fort Pillow 1 April did not entirely eliminate the Confederate resistance; eight Confederate gunboats made a spirited attack on Union gun‑boats and mortars at Plum Point Bend 10 May. Colonel Lovell rammed Mound City, forcing her ashore to avoid sinking. Meanwhile, Union ships bombarded Fort Pillow daily, reducing Confederate will to fight. Speeding to aid rammed and sinking ''Cincinnati'' off Ship Island, ''Mound City'' was rammed by ''General Van Dorn'', completely wrenching off ''Mound City’s'' bow. Her bow replaced at Mound City, the steamer ran up White River in June, engaging Confederate batteries at St. Charles, Arkansas; the complete Union victory at St. Charles gave the Union control of White River, but was costly to ''Mound City'' as one shot completely disabled her. In danger of sinking, she was towed from beneath the batteries by ''Conestoga''.

The Union forces met strong southern opposition throughout the summer and abandoned Vicksburg 6 August when ''Mound City'' formed part of the White River expedition, escorting transport ''White Cloud''. Union forces regrouped at Helena, from which ''Mound City'' departed 16 August with 6 other Union ships and two regiments 2d Brigade, 3d Division, Army of the Southwest on the Yazoo River expedition. The Army‑Navy expedition captured steamer ''Fairplay'' 20 miles above Vicksburg, where the ships were unable to proceed due to shallow water.

Meanwhile, McClernand was formulating his plans for the assault on Vicksburg. From October 1862 through March 1863, ''Mound City'' was with ''Pittsburgh'', ''Carondelet'', and ''Louisville'' as part of the Grand Gulf venture. Passing the upper batteries of Grand Gulf 12 October, the ships completely silenced the lower fort. ''Mound City'', ''Carondelet'', ''Signal'', and ''Marmora'' steamed to the mouth of Yazoo River 25 November to prevent southern blockade of it, remaining here on guard duty through March.

''Mound City'' formed part of the Yazoo Pass Expedition via Steele’s Bayou 14 March as Union ships attempted to strike the rear defenses of Vicksburg. Returning to more direct action against Vicksburg, ''Mound City’s'' bold passage of the batteries 14 April dampened the enthusiasm of Confederate sympathizers along the shore, contributing to early Union seizure of Grand Gulf and the eventual fall of Vicksburg. On the 27th, ''Mound City'' joined 7 other Union gunboats in attacks on Grand Gulf.

After attacking Warrenton, Mississippi, 10 May and destroying a battery, she guarded the river from Grand Gulf depot to Hard Times. She returned to Vicksburg 18 June for a 3‑day expedition to Cole’s Creek, destroying six or seven small boats. After shelling the batteries at Vicksburg 3 July, she steamed to Lake Providence, Ga., 7 August when she fired on and dispersed Confederate cavalry, thereafter guarding this part of the river.

Off Davis plantation in January 1864, she endeavored to raise ''Indianola'', sunk in Red River in 1862. Seizing tug ''Rawlins'' off Natchez 2 March, ''Mound City'' joined 17 other ships and Sherman’s troops in the Red River Expedition 16 March through 22 May in an effort to enter Texas via Alexandria, Louisiana, to counter the threat from Maximilian. Shallow water proved an obstacle as ''Mound City'' and ''Carondelet'' grounded near the wing dams across Red River 10 May. Hauled across the upper falls above the obstructions by throngs of straining soldiers, the ships were able to get free. ''Mound City'' spent the remainder of the year guarding ''Indianola''.

She joined the expedition to Black River in May 1865, turning back from Baldwin’s Perry on learning of an imminent attack. After the end of the conflict, she returned to Mound City for dismantling but was sold there at public auction to Frank Bennet 9 November 1865.

====USS ''Cincinnati''====
The first ''Cincinnati'', a stern-wheel casemate gunboat, was built in 1861 under a War Department contract by James Eads, St. Louis, Mo., and commissioned at Mound City, 16 January 1862, naval Lieutenant G. M. Bache in command.

Assigned to duty with the Army in the Western Gunboat Flotilla under naval Flag Officer Foote, ''Cincinnati'' participated in the attack and capture of Fort Henry (6 February 1862); the operations against Island No. 10 (12 March-7 April 1862); the engagement with the Confederate gunboat fleet at Plum Point Bend and the bombardment of Fort Pillow (10 May 1862). This important series of operations was aimed at splitting the Confederacy. During the last engagement ''Cincinnati'', the lead vessel, was repeatedly struck by enemy rams and sunk.

Raised and returned to service, ''Cincinnati'' was transferred to the Navy Department 1 October 1862 with other vessels of the Western Gunboat Flotilla. She participated in the Army-Navy operation against Port of Arkansas and installations on the White River in January 1863, then was ordered to the Yazoo River where she took part in Steele's Bayou Expedition (14-27 March 1863). Joining the attack on the Vicksburg batteries (27 May 1863), ''Cincinnati'' came under heavy fire and was sunk for the second time, suffering 40 casualties.

Raised again in August 1863 ''Cincinnati'' returned to patrol duty on the Mississippi River and its tributaries until February 1865 when she was transferred to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. She patrolled off Mobile Bay and in the Mississippi Sounds until placed out of commission 4 August 1865 at Algiers, La. She was sold at New Orleans 28 March 1866.

====USS ''Louisville''====
''Louisville'' was built at St. Louis, Mo., by J. B. Eads in 1861, under contract with the War Department; was accepted 15 January 1862; and commissioned 16 January 1862, Comdr. Benjamin H. Dove in command.

Part of the War Department’s flotilla on the western rivers, ''Louisville'' assisted the Army in the capture of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River 14 to 16 February 1862. From 1 to 5 March, she aided in the occupation of Columbus, Ky., the “Gibraltar of the West.” Departing Cairo, Ill., 14 March, she served in the capture of Island No. 10 and New Madrid, Mo., through 7 April, and helped to prevent southern ships from ascending the river.

In May, ''Louisville'' was ordered to Fort Pillow and participated in the Battle of Memphis on 6 June. Commanded by Rear Adm. Charles H. Davis, her squadron captured and sank the Confederate Mississippi flotilla. On 15 June, she attacked the upper batteries at Vicksburg, before shifting efforts to the White River, departing Helena, Ark., 5 August. Escorting Benton and Bragg to the mouth of the river, she met little resistance. On 1 October, she was transferred to the Navy.

After escorting transport ''Meteor'', disembarking troops at Bledsoe’s and Hamblen’s landings 21 October, ''Louisville'' returned to Helena to join the gunboat fleet, Mississippi Squadron.

She joined ''Baron De Kalb'', ''Cincinnati'', ''Lexington'', ''Signal'', ''New Era'', ''Romeo'', ''Rattler'', and ''Glide'' later in the month on an expedition up the White River in support of General Sherman’s army. ''Louisville'' captured the steamer ''Evansville'' near Island No. 36 on 1 November.

''Louisville'' aided in the capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, 4 to 11 January 1863, and formed part of the expedition through Steele’s Bayou, 14 to 28 January. She was ordered to the Yazoo River the 31st and moved to stop Confederates felling trees across the bayou on 21 March. She then turned her attention to the batteries on the river, running past those at Vicksburg on 16 April, and engaging the lower ones on the 29th. She joined ''Pittsburgh'', ''Mound City'', and ''Carondolet'' on that date, silencing the guns of the fort on Grand Gulf and helping to establish the siege which forced Vicksburg’s surrender 4 July 1863.

From 12 March to 22 May 1864, ''Louisville'' joined in the expedition up the Red River, La. On 2 June she engaged Confederate batteries 7 miles below Columbia, Ark., silencing the guns. She landed Union troops at Sunnyside 6 June and anchored off Shipwith’s Landing the 20th, to learn that Confederates were traveling upriver with a heavy force, and had crossed Cypress Creek and Bartholomew’s Bayou 20 June with cavalry, infantry, and artillery. On learning that Parson’s brigade was 10 miles back of Gaines’ Landing, providing reinforcements, ''Louisville'' departed immediately for that point, and helped break up the Confederate attack.

''Louisville'' continued service on the Mississippi until decommissioning 21 July 1865. She was sold at public auction at Mound City 29 November 1865.

''This article incorporates text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, a work in the public domain''

[[Category:United States Navy]][[Category:American Civil War]]

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2011-09-18T19:16:43Z

AlexWest:

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