The Pouch free essay sample

My luscious golden locks flow freely in the wind as a toothy smile stretches from ear to ear. I speed across the reddish, dirt ribbons of roads as the scorching sun beats down and the horizon melts into a sky-terrain soup. My adventure lasts all day long, taking periodic breaks for some rest and the cool shade. Only a few moments later, I hop back on and take off once again. What, might you ask, would my means of transportation be? Logically, one would think a sports car perhaps. Red Ferrari? Pink Corvette? The Batmobile? These are all very acceptable answers but I’m afraid they’re all very wrong. â€Å"But I wasn’t thinking of a sports car, could it be an animal perhaps?† Black Stallion? Double-humped Camel? A Cheetah? These are all, again, very acceptable answers with the exception of the last one. I would highly recommend that you don’t attempt at riding a cheetah for they have been known to tear a human limb for limb. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pouch or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The animal I am, in fact, writing about is a Red Kangaroo. Though I highly doubt my dreams would come true nor do I really want to attempt a go, I have always been curious as to what it would feel like to spend the day in a mama kangaroo’s pouch. The thought of Australia adopting my idea as its new tourist attraction makes me sick, as it is inhumane and probably would not sit well with the mama kangaroos, but it is still a desire of mine. Mixing wildlife with human life is not always the best idea, but for just one day, I would change the rules of nature to achieve my dream. As babies, humans instinctively want to be swaddled tightly. A Kangaroo’s pouch, I’d imagine, is much like this swaddling sensation. Relaxing comfortably as my host mom takes me for a magnificent journey through Australia’s greatest sights would be the only completely enjoyable way to see Australia. No smelly tour buses. No aching feet. No rude tourists to deal with. No screaming children. Just me, my marsupial mom, and the wonders of Australia. My fascination with Australia sparked after watching Finding Nemo for the first time. The characters gave life to an unknown underwater world and I instantly wanted to know more about this mysterious country. The Great Barrier Reef, unlike any other ecosystem in the world, forced me to realize that these animals exist outside of books and the zoo. After my exciting encounter with Nemo, I yearned to know more about the terrestrial life of Australia. After weeks of casual reading I came across the Red Kangaroo, unlike any other animal in the world. It wasn’t until then that I made the connection between the Red Kangaroo and one of my favorite fictional characters. As a child, I loved my friends from the 100-acre-woods. The innocent adventures of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh and company always made me long for the same stuffed animal bond. In particular, I fell in love with Kanga and Roo. Kanga’s kind-heartedness and calm way of scolding Roo is the mother-daughter relationship I have always strived for. Though Roo, a joey, is transferred in her mom’s pouch, she is still very open to the nature and world around her. Kanga protects her joey when she feels necessary, but does not confine her child to the darkness of the pouch. My mother is much like Kanga. I do have boundaries which are put in place only to protect me, but by no means do I feel shielded or excluded from the way I want to see the world. The longing to be closer to wildlife; to see what really goes on in the animal kingdom of Australia is important. What better way to achieve that than take an off-road adventure in the confines of a mother kangaroo’s pouch? To see Australia through the eyes of an original inhabitant would be the most grandiose way to see the land and the comfort of the furry pouch is an added bonus.

Battle of Paoli During the American Revolution

Battle of Paoli During the American Revolution The Paoli Massacre occurred on September 20-21, 1777, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). In the late summer of 1777, General Sir William Howe embarked his army at New York City and sailed south with the goal of capturing the American capital of Philadelphia. Moving up the Chesapeake Bay, he landed at Head of Elk, MD and began marching north towards Pennsylvania. Acting to protect the city, General George Washington attempted to make a defensive stand along the Brandywine River in early September. Meeting Howe at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, Washington was flanked by the British and forced to retreat east to Chester. While Howe paused at Brandywine, Washington crossed the Schuylkill River at Philadelphia and marched northwest with the goal of using the river as a defensive barrier. Reconsidering, he elected to re-cross to the south bank and began moving against Howe. Responding, the British commander prepared for battle and engaged the Americans on September 16. Clashing near Malvern, the fight proved brief as a massive thunderstorm descended on the area forc ing both armies to break off the battle. Wayne Detached In the wake of the Battle of the Clouds, Washington first retreated west to Yellow Springs and then to Reading Furnace in order to obtain dry powder and supplies. As the British were badly hampered by the rutted and muddy roads as well as the high water of the Schuylkill, Washington decided to detach forces led by Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and Anthony Wayne on September 18 to harass the enemys flanks and rear. It was also hoped to that Wayne, with 1,500 men that included four light guns and three troops of dragoons, could strike at Howes baggage train. To assist him in these efforts, Washington directed Brigadier General William Smallwood, who was moving north from Oxford with 2,000 militia, to rendezvous with Wayne. As Washington resupplied and began marching to re-cross the Schuylkill, Howe moved to Tredyffrin with the goal of reaching Swedes Ford. Advancing on Howes rear, Wayne encamped two miles southwest of the Paoli Tavern on September 19. Writing to Washington, he believed that his movements were unknown to the enemy and stated, I believe [Howe] knows Nothing of my situation. This was incorrect as Howe had been apprised of Waynes actions through spies and intercepted messages. Recording in his diary, British staff officer Captain John Andre commented, Intelligence having been received of the situation of General Wayne and his design for attacking our Rear, a plan was concerted for surprising him, and the execution entrusted to Major General [Charles] Grey. The British Move Seeing an opportunity to crush part of Washingtons army, Howe directed Grey to assemble a force of around 1,800 men consisting of the 42nd and 44th Regiments of Foot as well as the 2nd Light Infantry to strike at Waynes camp. Departing on the evening of September 20, Greys column moved down the Swedes Ford Road before reaching the Admiral Warren Tavern approximately one mile from the American position. In an effort to maintain secrecy, Andre reported that the column took every inhabitant with them as they passed along. At the tavern, Grey coerced a local blacksmith into serving as a guide for the final approach. Wayne Surprised Advancing around 1:00 AM on September 21, Grey ordered his men to remove the flints from their muskets to ensure that an accidental shot would not alert the Americans. Instead, he instructed his troops to rely on the bayonet, earning him the nickname No Flint.. Pushing past the tavern, the British approached around a set of woods to the north and quickly overwhelmed Waynes pickets who fired several shots. Alerted, the Americans were up and moving in a matter of moments, but were unable to resist the force of the British attack. Assaulting with around 1,200 men in three waves, Grey first sent forward the 2nd Light Infantry followed by the 44th and 42nd Foots. Pouring into Waynes camp, the British troops were able to easily spot their adversaries as they were silhouetted by their campfires. Though the Americans opened fire, their resistance was weakened as many lacked bayonets and could not fight back until they reloaded. Working to rescue the situation, Wayne was hampered by the chaos caused by the suddenness of Greys assault. With British bayonets slashing through his ranks, he directed the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment to cover the retreat of the artillery and supplies. As the British began to overwhelm his men, Wayne directed Colonel Richard Humptons 2nd Brigade to shift left to cover the retreat. Misunderstanding, Humpton instead shifted his men right and had to be corrected. With many of his men fleeing to the west through gaps in a fence, Wayne directed Lieutenant Colonel William Butlers 4th Pennsylvania Regiment to assume a position in nearby woods to provide covering fire. Wayne Routed Pressing forward, the British drove the disorganized Americans back. Andre stated, the Light Infantry being ordered to form to the front, rushed along the line putting to the bayonet all they came up with, and, overtaking the main herd of the fugitives, stabbed great numbers and pressed on their rear until it was thought prudent to order them to desist. Forced from the field, Waynes command retreated west towards White Horse Tavern with the British in pursuit. To compound the defeat, they encountered Smallwoods approaching militia who were also put to flight by the British. Breaking off the pursuit, Grey consolidated his men and returned to Howes camp later in the day. Paoli Massacre Aftermath In the fighting at Paoli, Wayne sustained 53 killed, 113 wounded, and 71 captured while Grey lost a mere 4 killed and 7 wounded. Quickly dubbed the Paoli Massacre by the Americans due to the intense, one-sided nature of the fight, there is no proof that British forces acted inappropriately during the engagement. In the wake of the Paoli Massacre, Wayne criticized Humptons performance which led to his subordinate preferred charges of negligence against his superior. A subsequent court of inquiry found that Wayne was not guilty of any misconduct but stated that he had made errors. Angered by this finding Wayne demanded and received a full court-martial. Held later that fall, it exonerated him of any blame for the defeat. Remaining with Washingtons army, Wayne later distinguished himself at the Battle of Stony Point and was present at the Siege of Yorktown. Though Grey had succeeded in smashing Wayne, the time taken for the operation allowed Washingtons army to move north of the Schuylkill and assume a position to contest a crossing of the river at Swedes Ford. Frustrated, Howe elected to move north along the river towards the upper fords. This forced Washington to follow along the north bank. Secretly counter-marching on the night of September 23, Howe reached Flatlands Ford, near Valley Forge, and crossed the river. In a position between Washington and Philadelphia, he advanced on the city which fell on September 26. Eager to rescue the situation, Washington attacked part of Howes army at the Battle of Germantown on October 4 but was narrowly defeated. Subsequent operations failed to dislodge Howe and Washington entered winter quarters at Valley Forge in December. Selected Sources British Battles: Paoli MassacreHistory of War: Paoli MassacrePaoli Battlefield