Antoine Charles Louis de Lasalle

  

 General Antoine Charles Louis de Lasalle led the Infernal Brigade (the 5th and 7th Hussars) in the 1806 campaign against Prussia. The brigade moved rapidly through enemy territory in search of information and supplies. Lasalle and his 500 hussars arrived at the fortified city of Stettin following the Battle of Jena. A garrison of 5,000 and over 150 cannon guarded the fortress. Lasalle pretended the entire French army was with him and demanded the surrender of the city or 50,000 troops would assault the town. His bluff succeeded, and the city surrendered without resistance. Napoleon wrote that if the light cavalry continued to capture fortified towns, he would have to melt down his artillery and discharge his engineers.

Tactical creativity and audacity marked the hussars, and the daring Lasalle was the perfect commander for this flamboyant cavalry. The general was known for his wit, charm, and personal exploits, including affairs and duels; he remarked that any hussar who wasn't dead by the age of thirty was contemptible. Serving in the army of Italy, he was captured and eventually released. Bonaparte elevated him to the rank of major, rather than court martialing him, after he gathered important intelligence by leading a contingent of hussars inside enemy territory to his lover's house. On the way back, his men were surrounded by 100 Austrian hussars. He escaped by leaping his horse over the bridge wall. He led his men through the enemy, became isolated but escaped, wounding four of the Austrians, losing his horse, and swimming the river to rejoin the rest of his men. At Rivoli, his squadron captured an entire Austrian battalion. 

He went to Egypt with Bonaparte and distinguished himself at the Battle of the Pyramids, thereafter advancing to the rank of colonel. At the Battle of Remedieh, he rescued General Davout as he was about to be cut down by Mamluks, cutting off the hands of one attacker and breaking his sword over the head of the Mamluk leader. He restored order and drove the enemy back. 

At Marengo, he served as on of Napoleon's aides-de-camp. 

On an occasion when Lasalle had gambled away a huge sum of money the emperor had awarded him, instead of punishing the general, Napoleon ordered he be given the amount again to pay for his wedding. Napoleon indicated that a prefect could be created with the stroke of a pen, but that twenty years were required to create a Lasalle.

 During the Battle of Heilsburg in 1807, in command of a cavalry division, Lasalle saw Murat in trouble, surrounded by Russian dragoons. He led a charge to rescue Murat, who returned the favor later during the same battle.

After serving in Spain under Bessieres, now 33 years old, he returned for the 1809 campaign on the Danube. At the Battle of Wagram, he sensed that his death was imminent. He sent a petition to Napoleon asking him to take care of his children after Lasalle's death. He wrote a letter to his wife, telling her that his heart was hers, but his blood belonged to the emperor, and his life to honor. On the night of the second day, he received permission to pursue the enemy. Lasalle became separated from his own division, but led a charge of cuirassiers against Austrian infantry. Although he was shot in the chest, the general continued to charge and the enemy broke and fled. However, as the charge carried on, a second shot hit Lasalle between the eyes, killing him instantly.

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On the writing front, I remain unwounded in spite of my numerous charges against the blank pages of the battlefield. I have completed 25 chapters of the sequel to Accidental Pirates - just 5 more chapters to completion. Adventure, battle, and a final twist await.

 

 

Carthage Conspiracy

 

Check it out. Accidental Pirates is number 1 in Teen and Young Adult Pirate Action & Adventure

 Now that I've got that out of my system, I could ramble about the sequel, which is nearing completion with Chis struggling as a mage-in-training without a trainer, and Kenny, as a youthful knight with the help of some additional enchantment, on a quest that will determine the fate of two kingdoms - and they still have to get back home. These boys know how to press the adventure pedal to the metal.

This is going in the newsletter, but I can't resist adding it here because it goes so well with Accidental Pirates. It's the pirate hymn. You'll have to see the newsletter for the complete story. Here's the pirate version of a hymn that's popular in some congregations with which I've attended:

 I'll never be able to hear the hymn without thinking of pirates now.

 

 

I recently finished reading Carthage Conspiracy by Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill. A few years ago, my son, my dad, and I went to Carthage to view the scene and hear the tale of the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the hands of an armed mob bent on murder. The murders only took a few minutes - it makes it easier when the foxes guarding the chicken coop stand aside to let their comrades in to do the deeds.

The title tells it, and the sources support it. The murders were premeditated and had been no brief time in the arranging. The book goes into the trial, including excerpts from opening statements, trial testimony, and closing arguments. It's a solid read from the perspective of a lawyer and judge. The prosecution suffered many handicaps, and even if the case had been flawlessly presented, a hung jury was the most likely outcome - or would've been had the jury been a true cross-section of the community. There was an incredible amount of animosity by many against the Smiths. A newspaper editor amassed the fuel and pointed the way to create the conflagration. Militia leaders and members became the willing torches for the funeral pyre. If I remember correctly, one of the attorneys for the five defendants even argued that the perpetrators hadn't done anything much of the community hadn't wanted done, so that it would be unjust to find them guilty of a crime.

It's good read. I recommend it, giving it 5 out of 5 smashed pocket watches. If you know, you know.

 

 

 

 

Merlin's Bones

 

 I picked up Fred Saberhagen's Merlin's Bones to read another take on the Arthur legend. This story was certainly unlike any other. I first encountered King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as kid. My parents had a series of flip over books--two books in one with each upside down to the other, with two covers--I'm not sure, but I believe the King Arthur book was opposite Howard Pyle's Robin Hood. I loved both of those books. In King Arthur, the knights were always fighting and at some point one of them would smash through the other's helmet to bury his sword in the brain pan of the other. In Robin Hood, the hero was always sending a clothyard shaft to its mark. Later, my high school librarian got me a copy of Mallory's Le Morte d'Arthur. She found it at a yard sale and thought of me--which, of course, was fabulous. I still have that one and read it again only a few years ago. Other retellings of the tale I've read include Bernard Cornwell's version (books 1 and 3 only because I never found book 2 on sale) which I've discussed here previously. I can't remember the others I've read, but I'm sure there have been others. 

As for Saberhagen's tale, it captured my interest from the start. We have the young Amby and a troupe of performers taking refuge in a mysterious and unfinished castle near a network of caves in which Merlin's bones are hidden. Meanwhile, a woman at some high tech company in the 20th century is left alone at the establishment. A guy named Fisher finds her, and other characters from the legend get involved. She eventually drives an ambulance to Camelot. Amby and the other performers take on roles from the legend while the actual mythical characters get involved as well. 

Although the story grabbed my attention, the longer it went on, the less fascinating it became. Perhaps I should've expected it from the start, but ultimately it became much ado about which I grew weary. I recommend the first three-quarters of the book. Of course, one won't be able to stop at that point and one will then continue to the point that disappoints. Don't say you weren't warned. 

I love Saberhagen's work, at least the portion I've read. My first Saberhagen experience came through a book my mom got me for Christmas: Brother Assassin. Later I read at least the first book of Empire of the East (in fact, I'm re-reading that now and I have acquired the second book as well). I've also read most, but not all of the Swords books. As far as I can remember, I haven't read any of his vampire books. So, I like his style and his stories. This particular one just didn't live up to the high expectations the early part of the story created for me. I give it 3.5 femurs out of 5, calculated as 5 for the promise but subtracting 1.5 for failure to deliver in a satisfying manner.

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Why was I reading Merlin's Bones, even pausing 80% of the way through Empire of the East to digest the bones? Therein lies a tale, or two tales. First, you must be aware that my adventure book for boys, Accidental Pirates, has now become available in paperback as well as ebook--that's the first tale. (While I'm mentioning that, here's an Excerpt from Accidental Pirates). I've been working on the sequel to that exciting tale. In the sequel, the boys go to a land, inspired by the Arthur myth in some respects, with kings and knights and wizards--that's the second tale. I read for inspiration, and got some. I knew reading that would cause me to think of things I did or didn't want to do for my adventure book, which was already half complete, but a twist was coming. I was wrestling with some ideas and reading MB helped me make some decisions. In reading the early part, I favored one angle, but upon completion of MB, I revised my opinion in favor of the original idea I had before reading the book. If that doesn't make much sense, don't worry. It doesn't have to. It's the sausage itself and not the process that is the product.

 

 

Accidental Pirates Cover Reveal

 Accidental Pirates becomes available for pre-order on November 12. This isn't you grandpa's Treasure Island:

Two boys whisked into a strange land face danger at every turn. Stranded in this world of pirates on the wild islands of the Dragon Sea, death pursues them in many forms, but Chris and Kenny have to keep their heads, protect their friend, and learn to eat food they don't like--doing their best to avoid becoming snacks for ravenous young dragons. The dragons and the cannibals might appear to be the greatest threat, but Captain Ross may be the craftiest adversary of all. It's a fight for survival and a race into peril to find the Lost Chest and their only way back home.

Get a copy for every boy on your list! Here's the link (ebook only at the moment, but hard copies soon). 

 I'm sufficiently thrilled with this book's imminent publication that I've started on the sequel and I'm eight chapters into the exciting adventure, tentatively called: Accidental Wizard. I'm having a terrific time joining Kenny and Chris again on a journey through a strange new world jam-packed with danger and intrigue in a land of wizards and knights. It's not your grandpa's Camelot.

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My better half and I spoke in church today. There's a chance we will be allowed to come back. Actually, it went well. She gave a great talk from the heart; there was a very nice song; and I followed with my offering that was also well received. Even though my voice is still warped from a cold, the congregation was kind enough to listen as if they enjoyed the substance and felt the Spirit.

Independence Day 2025

 

It was Independence Day. The Fourth of July. The ogygia of summer. I name it the latter, not because we're trapped there and must choose between Calypso and escape, but because it is the center point about which summer revolves. In Byzantium this year, it brought dark clouds and rain.

We usually get our own fireworks to celebrate our right to watch our money become transformed into disappointing fountains of sparks of various ilk, but this year we did something that I don't recall having done before. We watched A Capitol Fourth on PBS. There were non-obnoxious musical acts on or near the White House lawn. They sang patriotic songs, had military bands and anthems, and presented old and new talent. People who wanted to celebrate America attended, waived little flags, sang along, and enjoyed themselves. Even the hosts repeated, "God Bless America," without fear or concern of offense. The fireworks display afterward as the Beach Boys sang a medley of favorites, with other singing and instrumentals, including Sousa's patriotic presentations, brought the celebration to a climax. It was spectacular.

We've experienced the pinnacle of summer. From here on it's a reluctant but inevitable slide down the slippery pole of glorious summer into the heap of leaves we call fall.  

As part of my celebration of Independence Day, I've reduced the prices on most of my ebooks to $3.99 and Truth in Flames, book 5 of the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series to just $2.99.

It's the book that covers the Declaration of Independence and the battle in words and deeds to set forth and preserve the important truths. You'll hate yourself for not getting it - or not. Anything's possible. It's the book that made Iago a favorite character for some, or maybe that was the previous book. It's hard to keep track of the exciting adventures.

In other news, Raconteur Press has expressed a desire to publish my adventure book for boys. That's fabulous news! 

 

 

Dreams

 

A still from the live footage of black Friday shopping.

 

Did you put away your dreams today,

Fold them up and lock them away?

Did you put them in a drawer at the close of day,

Or consign them to the dustbin of never may?

When do the things that you hoped could be

Become the dreams you'll never see?

Do they shrivel and starve by your consent,

Or does their own weight assure their descent?

How long must they languish before they decay?

What makes their once bright bonds wither and fray?

If your dreams breathe again tomorrow,

What inspiration will they borrow?

In pursuit of my withering dreams, I've completed the first draft of my adventure book for boys. The title remains uncertain, but it's a fun story filled with action and adventure. The two boys gain some skills, use their heads, and face their fears to overcome daunting odds and thwart the evil designs of a duplicitous pirate captain while avoiding a terrible dragon and her ravenous spawn.

Raphael Sohnn

 

 Interview with Raphael Sohnn

Author of

The Captains of Legend

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress. 

The Captains of Legend, my debut novel. A story set in a fictional kingdom around five to seven hundred years ago in what eventually became India. It’s a tale of love, war and intrigue that revolves around two lifelong friends who eventually fall in love. The Princess Meena, heiress to her father’s kingdom and Holasiyan, the young warrior destined to be the protector of the Monarch and leader of his fighting men.  

 

Where did you get the idea for this book or series? 

It was something I’d been contemplating writing for about two decades, having started the original draft in my early/mid-twenties. The book as it is now in no way resembles those very first few scribblings. Yet the similarities are clearly in the setting, both regionally and historically. I had wanted, from very early on, to tell a tale of the warriors of India from many centuries ago. 

 

Do you write in more than one genre? 

I have completed a manuscript for one story set in the future that needs some more work. This manuscript for that very reason has very little in common with my first book, The Captains of Legend, or the following two, as yet unpublished at time of writing, that exist in an almost identical universe – historic India – each of those being unconnected to each other or my debut work. It does however deal with the same sort of themes; valour, and the difficulty in trying to walk the right path or fight the good fight when it’s only the protagonist’s instincts and at times little else that keep them on that journey.  

 

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention. 

Though I could be wrong, I do not believe anything else has been written telling the stories of the warriors guarding the kingdoms in which they reside in the way that I have, for they and their homes are purely fictional. They are undoubtedly set however, in what we now know as India, and hence borrow from the traditions and rituals of their times. 

 

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing? 

Quite possibly, I do have a background in martial arts. Not for one moment to suggest that I am any sort of warrior. 

 

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you? 

I love the stories of the foundational heroes and superheroes of the 19^th and 20th centuries. I am also a massive fan of comic book iconography. 

 

           Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why? 

Not sure that it’s fair to regard it as underrated, but Gideon’s Spies by Gordon Thomas is an excellent read. 

 

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why? 

Well, all of them, of course. But only The Captains of Legend has been published, at time of writing. Look out for the second book very soon, because if you like the first, you’ll adore the second. (This interview was submitted in 2022, so Raphael may have more books out by now. Check out his website below).

 

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most? 

The end of my twenty-year involvement in the family business. Being as I was, at a crossroads in my life, I took the opportunity to complete that which I had begun as a much younger man. 

 

What question do you wish you would get asked more often? 

During which period in history would you have liked to live? The answers vary from The Wild West to 19^th century England, amongst others. 

 

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?  

Not so much a catchphrase or quote, but a poem. If by Rudyard Kipling. To read it is to understand why, and after having then done so is to realize that it is a work of absolute genius.

 

Website:    RaphaelSohnn.com

FaceBook: TheRaphaelSohnn

Instagram: RaphaelSohnn

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Thanks to Raphael for participating. Check out his website and social media. If you're not familiar Kipling's "If" - bow your head in shame and vow to improve yourself by finding and reading that poem now. 

In my writing, I'm having a wonderful time. Saturday morning I signed a contract for my story, "Love under a Purple Sky" to be published in Space Cowboys 6: Fission Chips, which will be available next month. I also just received my copies of this:

The first time my name's been on the cover of an anthology containing one of my stories--or any anthology for that matter. I just finished reading Cursed Canyons, another anthology featuring one of my tales, and found the entire compilation to be of an exceedingly excellent quality. My author copies should be arriving tomorrow. There remains one more story yet out for consideration but it will be another month before contracts go out for it, so I still have some possible good news to anticipate.

My adventure book for boys is nearing the halfway mark. If a boy likes action and adventure, he will love this book. The title remains to be determined. Girls who like adventure will enjoy the book too.

"Let him fire!" The debate heats up

 

"My opinions, even if I were the president of the United States, are neither important nor necessary." - Zachary Taylor

Fun Fact:

Henry Clay's 1850 Omnibus Bill for the admission of California as a free state; establishing territorial governments in Utah and New Mexico, leaving the question of slavery to those states to determine; establishing the border of Texas to exclude New Mexico; paying Texas' debts; not abolishing slavery in D.C. but prohibiting the slave trade there; and recognizing that Congress had no power to prohibit the slave trade between slave holding states, consumed months of debate in the Senate.

A variety of plans and amendments were presented. Some carved California into multiple states; some split Texas into two or more states. Only Clay's plan left Texas intact.

Clay received the support of Stephen Douglas, and Lewis Cass railed against the Southern Democrats and their desire for an effective veto over any legislation. Senator Tom Benton argued in support of admitting California--although he opposed the omnibus compromise bill as a concession to those who threatened seccession. Senator Foote seized the opportunity to ridicule Benton with veiled reference to his daughter eloping with John C. Fremont--and challenged Benton to a duel. The feud between Benton and Foote would later boil over on the Senate floor during debate. 

Foote decided to support the compromise, and Benton determined to sway the Senate against it or destroy it with amendments and prolonged debate. At one point Benton offered 9 amendments to the bill which would leave it a useless husk. The amendments were continually voted down, but Benton simply offered more of the same ilk.

Foote at last gained the floor to defend Clay and the bill; he repeated a claim that Benton had taken bribes. Benton leaped to his feet and came at Foote. The latter backed away and as Benton drew close, he drew a horse pistol from his vest. Vice-president Fillmore, presiding over the Senate, shouted for order, and senators dragged Benton away from Foote. He broke away from the holds, bearing on toward Foote again, who pointed the pistol at him.

"Let him fire!" Benton cried, tearing open his coat and shirt to bare his chest. "Let the assassin fire!"

Other senators pried the gun free and locked it in Foot's desk. Naturally, Benton, who had initiated the appearance of a physical attack, raged that a pistol had been brought to assassinate him, and Foote's protestations of possessing the pistol for defense only went unheeded. A committee formed later to investigate the incident did absolve Foote of wrong doing, finding he had drawn the pistol in self-defense.

The above was gleaned from several chapters of Fergus Bordewich's America's Great Debate: Henry Clay, Stephen Douglas and the Compromise that Preserved the Union.

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Well, sometimes the chickens come home to roost - and that can be a good thing. I've recently submitted 3 short stories for publication and yesterday I learned that the third one was accepted for publication. That's three stories in a row with notices coming in three successive weeks. The competition was said by the editor to be particularly fierce for this third publication, and I'm ecstatic that my story made the cut. I do have a fourth story submitted and another that needs editing before I submit it.

I've started writing an adventure novel for boys. The idea didn't spark my interest when the call for submissions first came, but I finally decided that I am uniquely qualified to write great adventure books for boys. First, I have been (and always will be) a boy, having started at a very young age. I knew a lot of boys growing up. Not only did I read a lot of old adventure books as a boy, I now write adventure in various genres. My writing may be at its best when creating and relating exciting action and boundless adventure. In fact, last week, one of my readers shared a similar observation and noted that my use of historical themes and strange creatures hits the bull's eye. I'll cop to that charge.