“The primary urban legend regarding education today is that government schools provide one....You won’t find that on the left leaning Snopes site.”
Precisely. Rush was just saying that our new education secretary straight out of Chicago had their schools at a level that only 17% of eighth graders could read at an eighth grade level.....talk about dumbed down. It simply can’t be by accident.
Then I read a letter like the following, written by a half breed Indian on a Civil War battle field. There simply is no excuse for the ignorance we tolerate today. How many Chicago 8th graders could even tell you where Siberia is?
1864, Camp Watie, Indian Territory
James Madison Bell “Colo-Gotte-Yon” To his wife Caroline “Carrie” Lynch Bell.
“Dearest Carrie,
Since I wrote, Jessee Adair has taken the Small Pox, was breaking out thick this morning. We had to empress houses for hospital purposes. We may have some trouble on account of it, but it’s more than I can stand to see poor soldiers lying out such times as that-— snow on the ground and the river frozen six inches thick. I think I will be supported in the matter and if not, it is time we were knowing that we are regarded no more than dogs.
I am satisfied that you have already heard rumors that we are ruined beyond remedy. How does it happen that you always hear everything from the common in it’s worst aspect? It is bad enough to tell the truth or well enough to do so, but to go beyond that is criminal. It can do no good, but a great deal of harm, to exaggerate things as many of our people do.
But it is true out of five thousand, one thousand are without arms and many have not clothing to change, without shoes. And what any one in their right senses would say was in a deplorable condition looking more like Siberian exiles than soldiers. Still I am constrained to say that they are never called on to make a stand against the enemy but they do so cheerfully and with a determination that no one would expect.
We are neglected. The Confederacy certainly does not know our condition. Good soldiers, but without the means of resistance, but we are neither discouraged or whipped and God forbid we ever shall be. Times are hard. No one starved yet though. I have been in an almost nude condition. I have still got an old gray shirt and pants on. They are thread bear. There is some prospect of a fight soon, if the Feds and Pins stand their ground. Everything is quiet now, but I don’t think it can last long.
I would like the best in the world if we had our country. How I would like to settle down again and hear the cows lowing, the hogs squealing, and see the nice garden and the yard with roses in it, the waving wheat and stately corn growing. And be conscious that there was no one in want and be blessed with the society of those I love most on earth, You and our children.
Sometimes I fear we will not be permitted to be situated so again, but you know that I have faith in a power that can always keep us out of trouble and can restore anything that we ask if he chooses. I would not be without this ‘infatuation’, as many please to call it and laugh at me for it, for nothing in the world. I could not think of going into a battle without it. So let us hope that what ever may come, we may be restored at last to each other.
I have just seen a man from camp — says the Feds and Pins are in Fort Gibson. Our forces are just across the river. The prospect is good for a fight. How I wish I had my horse. I feel lost without him. As expected, we met up with Jarrett and Dr. Dupree here. Col. Adair is anxious to go home and would be off by this time were he not under arrest. General Steele arrested him for disrespect. His trial will be removed to Little Rock. Col. Adair has or will prefer charges against General Steele. It would take me a month to write you everything.
Kiss all the children, and make them walk with you every evening and tell them they must learn very fast. I want to see you! You don’t know how bad.
I am, as ever yours, Jim”
http://jesusweptanamericanstory.blogspot.com/
And how about this one, written by Sullivan Ballou in 1861? I haven't read a more evocative letter in my life and still get a lump in my throat whenever I read it - like now. If those last few paragraphs don't move you, you are made of stone.:
Washington D.C.
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days -- perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure -- and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine 0 God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing -- perfectly willing -- to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows -- when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children -- is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country?
I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death -- and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.
I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me -- perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar -- that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night -- amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours -- always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters.
Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.
Sullivan
Sullivan was killed the next day at the Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) Jyly 21, 1861