In honor of a literate communicator

John Murray Corse, 1835-1893

I don't mean to diminish General Corse's greater achievements by highlighting one of his lesser ones, but I'm more qualified to comment on language matters than military ones -- just ask anyone who was in the service with me. Anyway . . .

Corse became a general while still only in his twenties. One fine day he found himself and his garrison surrounded and outnumbered by Confederates. Their commander sent a note into the fort suggesting Corse surrender "to avoid a needless effusion of blood".

Corse wrote back: "We are prepared for the 'needless effusion of blood' whenever it is agreeable to you."

Unfortunately, by the time he'd finished this, the man with the white flag had waited the five minutes allotted and gone back to tell his commander there was no answer. It didn't really matter; events proceeded the way they would have anyway. The Confederates attacked, killing one man in three, shooting Corse himself in the face (not badly enough to keep him from remarrying after his wife died), but not taking the fort.

However, Corse's literate refusal to surrender was not widely known or appreciated till after the war -- so I'm remembering him for it now. And sadly noting that all that would be expected of anyone his age today would be something like "BRING IT ON REDNEK!!!!!!:P"