Old Glory  | 14 Aug 2019 4:03 p.m. PST |
I just read that in 1862, the King of Siam offered President Lincoln war elephants for the Union cause? Lincoln politely refused.
1. Is this true?
2. Would this not be an interesting " what if" scenario?
I do suppose the beasts would just be mercilessly gunned down?
Thoughts? Regards
Russ Dunaway |
| GROSSMAN | 14 Aug 2019 4:13 p.m. PST |
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| khanscom | 14 Aug 2019 5:11 p.m. PST |
I saw it in the movies-- it must be true. |
| clibinarium | 14 Aug 2019 5:20 p.m. PST |
It's not quite true, the king offered elephants as beasts of burden to Buchanan in 1861, but when the reply was made in 1862 Lincoln was the president, and he as you say politely declined, making no mention of war (I think he said the climate wouldn't suit them). Outside of the letter, he was asked what use they'd be and he said he couldn't think of any, unless perhaps to "stamp out the rebellion".
I think they'd just be mercilessly shot down (after the astonishment wore off). Especially as Jon Sedgewick turned out to be wrong. |
 Old Contemptible  | 14 Aug 2019 6:19 p.m. PST |
It would have brought an all new meaning to the term "Seeing the Elephant." |
| Au pas de Charge | 14 Aug 2019 7:42 p.m. PST |
@Old Contemptible Oh, I like that, good one. How would Lincoln know what type of weather an elephant can survive in? Did he think that stovepipe hat of his made him Dr Dolittle? Anyway, in response to your question Old Glory, the answer is "finish up your 15mm napoleonics range." |
| Ryan T | 14 Aug 2019 8:12 p.m. PST |
If a camel could be used for the transportation of baggage why not an elephant?
link |
| Wackmole9 | 14 Aug 2019 8:26 p.m. PST |
Elephant steaks!!! for a whole army |
| Grelber | 14 Aug 2019 9:19 p.m. PST |
It is hard to imagine Lee at Gettysburg, watching the battle from a howdah on the back of an elephant! It would make a great model, though. About the time of the ACW, the British in India used elephants in logistics roles. They pulled artillery. They were used to carry men, so the troops wouldn't arrive totally exhausted in the Indian heat. I once found a drawing from the Illustrated London News of an elephant being used to pull a dead camel out of camp (who wants a dead camel lying around your camp?). USMRR could have used them to help build railroad bridges. Elephants can survive in the southern parts of the USA. There is currently a retirement home for elephants in Hohenwald, Tennessee and another somewhere in Florida. I believe the Tennessee elephants hang out in barns during the coldest days of winter, but are happy during spring, summer, and fall. I once gave a friend with ACW armies an elephant, so the lads could "see the elephant." Just walked up to the convention game he'd set up and slipped it on to the battlefield. I think he left it on the field, but moved it to the rear, where it wouldn't be shot at. Grelber |
| Rdfraf | 14 Aug 2019 9:56 p.m. PST |
I would buy ACW elephants!!! |
 Lluis of Minairons | 15 Aug 2019 11:40 a.m. PST |
You've given me an idea for my WSS armies :) |
 KimRYoung | 15 Aug 2019 11:44 a.m. PST |
"They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Last words of John Sedgwick at the battle of Spotsylvania before he was killed by a sniper. Perhaps had he actually been riding an elephant he may have survived! Kim |
| Eagle76 | 19 Aug 2019 11:00 a.m. PST |
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completes a Confederate river ironclad.