Amici:
Antietam ... It was the bloodiest day of the Civil War. By days end September 17, 1862, the union would suffer 12,410 casualties; the south, 13,724. Because the two combatants named the battles differently, the battle of Antietam (a creek), as it was called by the North, is also known in the South as the battle of Sharpsburg (the town).
Special Order 191 ... Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s direct order for the movement of the Army of Northern Virginia was either lost or stolen in the Maryland countryside. A union trooper found it and before long General George McClellan was able to stop Lee’s invasion.
My cousin Jason and I are headed to the Antietam battlefield this Sunday. American Civil War history ... some guys can’t get enough.
Knucklespeare ...
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house;
Spartacus threw a party for a couple thousand mouse(s);
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care;
the rats ate Santa’s cookies, drank his milk, then his beer.
The children were nestled all snug in a rug;Somethin’ bit me on the ass, but it wasn’t a bug.
I said to the Wife: "Was that you, you crazy broad?"
She looked at me once and then I was floored.
When out on the lawn there arose such a noise,
I crawled up to see Spartacus and his boys;
Walking the lasagna out in its trays;
“Quick, wife, stop them!” I says.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow;
Seemed dim in comparison to the sudden great glow;
Of the wife with her flamer thrower out on the lawn;
Roasting our guests from dusk until dawn.
And what to my wondering eyes did appear,but a miniature sleigh, and eight roasted mouse reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
Spartacus was gone before you could say St Nick;
He brought his complaints to me in the flesh;
And said, “Do something about that psycho or else!”
More rapid than eagles his relatives returned,Except for those left behind dead and burned.
He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
And left me with the wife for the duration to explain;
How they were moving back in and would appreciate,
Leaving the fridge open or installing an easy access gate.
Then he sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a thumbs up,As they marched off with the dessert and my best coffee cup;
But I heard Spartacus yell as he drove out of sight,
"Thanks for the grub, fatty, merry Christmas and good-night!"
—Knucklespeare
Merry Christmas ... to all yous amici.
—Knucks
