Posted on 07/03/2011 3:24:30 PM PDT by jmaroneps37
The words at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence are far more familiar than the closing sentence. “When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,…” are words we know from schooldays. They are the political poetry of our national founding.
The words we have not heard enough about are …. closing sentence of this powerful document: “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” “…we mutually pledge to each other our lives...” was a serious statement….
What did these men risk if they were captured by the King’s soldiers after having signed their name to this demand for freedom?
The Americans ……..during the War were not seen as POWs but traitors. To the British they were little more than traitors.
When they were captured they were crammed into every available public building and space without regard for health or safety. When such space ran out they were herded into prison ships in New York harbor and fed garbage.
The rotting meat they received was often served raw. When those who could not hold down their “rations” died, their bodies were dumped into the harbor. Severe dysentery typhus small pox and any number of other contagious diseases killed fifteen men a day.
On one single ship, the Jersey, an astounding 11,000 men died during the five years it was used as a prison.
In all it is estimated that approximately 20,000 men died in British captivity during the height ….. Revolution….
“….as many as 70% of American Revolutionary War POWs died while held by the British...
(Excerpt) Read more at coachisright.com ...
“Lives, fortunes, sacred honor’? Our present politicians won’t even pledge that their WORD will be good till the end of the day. Even used car salesmen give you that much.
Today’s politician has no “honor”. They are disgusting pieces of corrupt scum.
As many times as I have seen those powerful words, they remain so very profound.
That is the America that Michelle Obama has never before been proud of.
Gallows humor aside: my neighborhood knew about the Revolution and American history, and it helped I was growing up there around the Bicentennial.
And, yes, they were buried very close to my backyard, if not actually under it.
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