Happy Memorial Day weekend to those celebrating. Did you know that Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day, because it was when people went to local cemeteries and decorated the graves of military personnel who had died in the line of duty. It was first celebrated in 1868. One hundred years later, Congress changed the observance to the last Monday in May, but the name wasn’t changed to Memorial Day until 1971. Memorial Day endures as a holiday which most businesses observe because it marks the unofficial beginning of summer. No matter what your traditions are for this weekend, have an enjoyable one!
The Detroit Tigers played another seven games over the past week. They won three of them and lost four, including three losses in a row. Their record is now 33-20. They are still on top of the American League’s Central Division with a three game lead over Cleveland and Minnesota.
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank. Compliments of https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/55-motivational-writing-quotes.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on May 25th, the twenty-first Sunday of 2025 and the fourth and final one in May. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Claude Buffier, French philosopher and historian; Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist and philosopher (Concord Hymn); Jacob Burckhardt, Swiss cultural historian; Jules de Geyter, Belgian poet (International); Naim Frashëri, Albanian poet and writer; Johann Baptist Singenberger, Swiss composer, music teacher, editor and publisher of liturgical music; William Maxwell Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook, Canadian English newspaper publisher (Daily Express); Elsa Maxwell, American writer (Jack Paar Show); Miles Malleson, British stage and screen actor, and writer (Kind Hearts and Coronets; Postman’s Knock); Robert Willem Pieter Peereboom, Dutch editor in chief (Haarlem Newspaper); Dirk Vansina, Flemish playwright (Verschaeve Gives Evidence); Bennett Cerf, American publisher (Random House) and panelist (What’s My Line); Gustav Regler, German writer; Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bengali poet, musician, revolutionary and philosopher; Theodore Roethke, American poet (Words for the Wind); Dan Wolf, American journalist, writer, and editor (founder of The Village Voice); John Weitz, American author and fashion designer (Friends in High Places); Rosario Castellanos, Mexican poet (Balún Canán); Robert Ludlum, American spy novelist (Bourne Identity); John Gregory Dunne, American writer (Up Close & Personal, True Confessions); Raymond Carver, American poet and short story writer (Furious Season); David A. Hargrave, American game designer and writer known as The Dream Weaver (Arduin); David A. Hargrave, American game designer and writer known as The Dream Weaver (Arduin); Bob Gale, American screenwriter (Back to the Future); Eve Ensler, American playwright (The Vagina Monologues); Edward Lee, American writer (Mr. Torso); Dorothy Straight, American 4-year-old author (How the World Began); and Poppy Z. Brite [Billy Martin], American author (Lost Souls, Drawing Blood).
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this week: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Robert Ludlum. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
Things are progressing nicely with Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion. All chapters are now posted to the two online subscription sites I use. There were thirty-four new chapter reviews this week, bringing the total to 170. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.
Here’s another snippet:
The following morning, Latimer set up his makeshift workshop. After storing his automatons, spare parts, and his supplies, he turned to his new assistant. “Private Jameson. Please find us a barrel of water. Also, if you can rustle up some coffee, I sure could use some.”
“Yes, sir.” Jameson rushed from the tent.
The tent flap rustled as someone shoved it aside.
Latimer glanced up and stood when he saw General Beauregard. “Good morning, General.”
“Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Excellent. I think it’s time to get one of your birds in the air. A picket reported he heard enemy movement.”
“Right away, General.”
Three hours later, Latimer handed four images to General Beauregard. “Sir, the Yankees are amassing. Here’s proof.”
Beauregard studied the images. “I wish you could provide images faster.” He sighed. I suppose that isn’t possible, is it?”
“No, General.” Latimer shook his head. “Even what I have created is far beyond anything else available at the present.”
“Okay, Latimer. Keep ‘em coming. In the meantime, we shall begin deploying our forces and go after the Yankees.”
For the next four hours, cannon fire and rifle fire echoed across the river. Thick smoke filled the valleys, making it difficult to see. The battle ebbed and flowed, with both sides giving ground and taking from the enemy.
Late that afternoon, Colonel Stuart and his cavalry entered the fray. They threw the Yankees into disarray and confusion, causing chaos among the mass of Union regiments. Before long, the Yankees turned tail and headed back to Washington.
The Confederate troops cheered, and fired their weapons into the air, as they celebrated their first victory of the war.
General Beauregard returned to his command tent. He surveyed his commanders, many who were covered with bandages and blood splatters. He nodded. “Well done, gentlemen. We made the Yankees chase their tail. However, at what cost?”
General Johnston stood. “Sir, I believe we suffered almost one thousand seven hundred casualties. But, the Yankees lost even more.”
The tent flap was thrust aside.
President Davis stepped inside and approached Beauregard. “General, what are your men doing here? Why didn’t they chase the Yankees clear back to Washington while you had the chance?”
“I—”
“We must learn from this first encounter with the enemy. I fear it will not be the last one.” A grim smile creased his face. “At least this will show the Confederacy is a force to be reckoned with.”
“Yes, sir, Mister President.”
Later, the Confederate press would label the Yankee retreat as the, “Great Skedaddle.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2025 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
