So on this date in 1775, the infantry and artillery branches are feeling pretty good about themselves, having been established by Congress two days ago. Lots of hoisting of glasses and toasting things, etc. Lots of bon vivant. Time to go teach those redcoats a lesson!
But...
But...
"How do we get there, we've got no maps?" bemoaned the infantry.
"These roads are too rough for my precious guns," cried the artillery. "Plus, I need platforms and revetments built!"
"And who's going to clear all those enemy obstacles?" wailed the infantry.
Sadness reigned.
"These roads are too rough for my precious guns," cried the artillery. "Plus, I need platforms and revetments built!"
"And who's going to clear all those enemy obstacles?" wailed the infantry.
Sadness reigned.
From some dark corner smelling vaguely of booze and mud, Richard Gridley stepped forward.
"I'll build your damned redoubts and platforms, come on, follow me."
From behind him, Tadeusz Kosciusko says, "And I'll map your way so you don't get lost. Well, not much"
"I'll build your damned redoubts and platforms, come on, follow me."
From behind him, Tadeusz Kosciusko says, "And I'll map your way so you don't get lost. Well, not much"
From the darkness, Louis Duportail huffed in a French way and said, "I'll build your forts and roads for you, ungrateful pigs"
Jeduthan Baldwin picked himself up off the floor and said, "And we'll build abatis, chevaux de frise, and put chains across the rivers"
Jeduthan Baldwin picked himself up off the floor and said, "And we'll build abatis, chevaux de frise, and put chains across the rivers"
Rufus Putnam downed a bottle of madeira at one gulp and said, "We'll even design siege works for you, with sappers and miners"
Out of the shadows strides Francois de Fleury: "And when it is time to storm the enemy's works, we'll lead you through the breach. Essayons!"
Out of the shadows strides Francois de Fleury: "And when it is time to storm the enemy's works, we'll lead you through the breach. Essayons!"
The infantry and artillery glanced at each other, then nodded.
"Ok, but only if you allow us to take credit for all the things"
The engineers shrugged. "Whatever gets you to sleep at night, we've got work to do"
And that's the birth of the Army Engineers
Happy birthday!
"Ok, but only if you allow us to take credit for all the things"
The engineers shrugged. "Whatever gets you to sleep at night, we've got work to do"
And that's the birth of the Army Engineers
Happy birthday!
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