Favorite Revolutionary War Figure Nomination, In Honor of the 4th...

#1

OrangeEmpire

The White Debonair
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#1
In honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday, I thought we'd have a contest to figure out volnations's favorite Revolutionary Figure.

This thread will be open for the rest of the week, then we'll have a poll next week to determine the winner(s).

Feel free to nominate as many as you'd like, but try to give a reason for each person.

Plenty of people know George Washington as the father of our country, but few people know, (and this is, perhaps, more important), just how similar he was in behavior to the Incredible Hulk. Stay with us.

As described by Thomas Jefferson, George Washington "was naturally irritable" and when his temper "broke its bonds, he was most tremendous in his wrath." One time, in fact, he became "much inflamed and got into one of those passions when he cannot command himself." Witnesses agreed that, after these sudden bursts of rage, Washington generally became calm and amiable again. Sound like anyone you know? Anyone, incredible, perhaps? (It's the Incredible Hulk.) The Iroquois Indians affectionately nicknamed Washington "Caunotaucarius," which translates to either "Town Destroyer" or "Devourer of Villages." We were really hoping it translated to "One Who, (When Angry), You Will Not Like" so we'd have more evidence for this whole Incredible Hulk thing, but "Town Destroyer" is pretty cool too, we guess.

Washington wasn't just a shirt-ripping comic book character waiting to happen, he was also an amazing general and, possibly, totally invincible. Washington was always at the frontlines in any of the many battles he took part in and there are countless stories of Washington returning from battle with bullet holes in his uniform, or without a horse, (it having been shot from under him), but he always remained unharmed. As a general, he believed, (like the always-screaming Leonidas), in the strength of small numbers. Typically both a loner and rebel, Washington preferred a small band of dedicated warriors over large armies any day of the week and he won plenty of battles when the odds were decidedly not in his favor. He once wrote that "Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."

Though that isn't quite as catchy as "This is Sparta!" you'll have to agree that it's slightly more eloquent and certainly more recyclable, as it is more applicable to situations that may not explicitly involve Sparta.

Greatest Display of Badassedry:
Making America.

Most Badass Quote:
After another tough battle where Washington was miraculously not wounded, he wrote a letter to his brother detailing his experiences. He described being surrounded by bullets and death and concluded by saying "I heard the bullets whistle and, believe me, there is something charming to the sound of bullets." When he caught news of this, King George III reportedly remarked that Washington's attitude would change if he'd heard a few more. But King George III didn't win the war, so **** him.

Thoughts?
 
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#2
#2
there won't be many favorites other then Washington. They call him "Father of our Country" for a good reason.
 
#3
#3
It is indeed very hard to trump Washington, simply because he is the face of the revolution. Another factor is that the young US knew the only way they could win this war was to make it as costly as possible, both in lives and money, for the English. With this in mind I would nominate Brigadier General Nathanael Greene. He lost some battles but was outnumbered and made every defeat he took very costly for the Redcoats. And although he had some critics in government he always had the confidence of Washington, something that didn't come unwarranted.
 
#5
#5
In honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday, I thought we'd have a contest to figure out Nightly's favorite Revolutionary Figure.

Who's "Nightly"? I suppose I would have to start there before I could figure out who his favorite Revolutionary War figure is...:dunno:
 
#8
#8
Okay, well since I've watched the HBO series a couple of times, I like John Adams, who sacrificed a lot for the country during the period.

I also like Sam Adams because he was good at stirrin' the puddin' at the time.

How about John Witherspoon because he understood the necessity of the Hand of Providence in the matter of American Independence.

Or the entire Virginia Convention who proposed the resolution for American Independence.
 
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#9
#9
Actually, I'm going with Tommy Paine. He put into words what needed to be said.
 
#11
#11
John Paul Jones. Bad. Ass. Actually raided the English coast, if you didn't know that.

"I have not BEGUN to fight!"
 
#15
#15
I always admired him, can't believe he didn't cross my mind.

He really flies under people's radar, but as far as a pure bad ass, he has to take the cake. I am surprised a movie hasn't been made parodying his story.

Given that we are famous for the Vol Navy, I humbly recommend that people give him a look-see and proper consideration for this "contest."
 
#16
#16
I going to have to say the average American citizen of the time.With out who's Will being imposed and Sacrifices willingly made.None of what we enjoy today would be possible!
 
#18
#18
I going to have to say the average American citizen of the time.With out who's Will being imposed and Sacrifices willingly made.None of what we enjoy today would be possible!

Puts me in mind of one of my favorite lines from The Last Of The Mohicans:
Duncan: And who empowered these colonials to pass judgement on England's policies, and to come and go without so much as a "by your leave"?
Cora Munro: They do not live their lives "by your leave"! They hack it out of the wilderness with their own two hands, bearing their children along the way!

Hmmm.... maybe someone should point that out to our Imperial Federal Government... :)
 
#19
#19
I going to have to say the average American citizen of the time.With out who's Will being imposed and Sacrifices willingly made.None of what we enjoy today would be possible!

The average citizen of that time was much more rugged than we will ever know. Self reliant in every way, the men and women of that time knew how to do with less and make due with what nature and hard work offered. I agree it ignores the "figure" aspect, but a good point nonetheless.
 
#20
#20
Puts me in mind of one of my favorite lines from The Last Of The Mohicans:
Duncan: And who empowered these colonials to pass judgement on England's policies, and to come and go without so much as a "by your leave"?
Cora Munro: They do not live their lives "by your leave"! They hack it out of the wilderness with their own two hands, bearing their children along the way!

Hmmm.... maybe someone should point that out to our Imperial Federal Government... :)

I'll drink to that. :clap:
 
#24
#24
Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee is a pretty interesting figure. He's not the most influential, but he was fairly renowned for his fighting and for his son, Robert E., too. Seems like he was involved in some of the fighting near or with Greene. His exploits sound something like Stonewall Jackson's in the Civil war?

Interesting lineage! from wiki

His father was first cousin once removed to Richard Henry Lee, sixth President of the Continental Congress. His mother was an aunt of the wife of Virginia Governor Thomas Nelson Jr. His great-grandmother Mary Bland was a great-aunt of President Thomas Jefferson and he descended once from King John of England, twice from King Edward I of England, once from King Jean de Brienne of Jerusalem, twice from King Edward III of England and once from King Pedro I of Castile.[1][2].
 
#25
#25
Ben Franklin.......the man who said, "All cats are gray in the night." was probably a lot closer to being the father of our country.
 

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