Can we connect? DoubleBarrelBob--I am Kurt C+8 Cichowski and I'm currently working to place a historic marker on the Grayson County Courthouse. I am a historian and your blog has an amazing amount of detail not in the newspapers, records, or historical documentaries I've currently researched to include Kumler's PhD 1995 Dissertation and a Master's Thesis, written in 1931 and full of eye witness accounts. How can I connect with you and review the sources that gave you such detail?
Grayson County Most of the information for that story came from a biography of the Texas Ranger, Frank Hamer, it was written by a fellow named John Boeseneker. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. My once robust health has been failing me.
Colonel Canby When Canby first came to New Mexico before the Civil War broke out he had a run in with the commanders of the New Mexican Militia over a Navajo prisoner the New Mexicans hung. Canby tried to take the young officer who did the deed into custody but the New Mexican's wouldn't allow it. Canby lost face over this and never forgot it. When the battle at Valverde Ford was lost due to Canby's battlefield maneuvering that left his left flank weakened and then overrun, Canby wouldn't accept the blame, laying it on the New Mexicans. Kit Carson commanded the First New Mexico Volunteers and although he was a good soldier and didn't argue with Canby, he knew what kind of man he was and privately was known to say so. Canby got his at the hands of the Modoc Indians in California while talking peace...
What I find most interesting about Canby is his long record of service with Sibley. They go way back to West Point together although they were in different classes. After that they both served in the Seminole War, and then in the Mexican War, and then in Texas and New Mexico. Canby was an administrative soldier and knew how to get things done and attained higher rank. Sibley was a line soldier. Canby saw that Sibley was promoted to major after he designed the tent and stove, but Sibley resigned and joined the Confederacy. Next thing you know they were fighting one another at Valverde Ford.
Oh Man... You Didn't!!! You Did... LOL... All Apologies for My Intrusion go out to the Family... No Harm Intended... I needed a place to lean. In my Defense, it is my Position is that Settling had take Place, leaving the Monument Base at an Odd Angle. A Stout wind may have been able to topple it, but, Alas, it was Me. For the Record, I was Mortified... All I was able to do is Put my face in my hands as Embarrassment Engulfed me like a Cloud! Again, Apologies to the Owners of the Monument...
Euclids..... We only had one Euclid while I was at Xom Tam. I drove it once without any training being given and promptly backed into the conveyor belt at the crusher. Both support arms were bent and the whole thing had to be repaired. It was pulled out of service and parked right beside the hooch that I had been staying in. There was a guy on the ground directing me as was backing up, but I could not see him and did not know he was even there. Luckily I didn't back over him.
Fuel Truck Oh dear. I do not recall the fuel truck at Xom Tam being permanently assigned to us. All of our equipment needed to be fueled though. The demo crew had an old pipeline truck that burned gasoline. I do remember gassing that truck up using a 55 gallon drum and a hand pump. We had a maintenance crew that worked nights out there, I guess they were the ones who did the fueling. Many times as I stood the guard mount at Xom Tam I do not recall ever seeing that two man maintenance detail do any fueling.
Dump trucks and machinegun tower I renmember when the Euclids came in and we had to train drivers and mechanics up on them. I forget if we had three or four of the dump trucks. Were you there when the VC put an RPG through the water tanks on the shower thinking it was the MG tower?
92nd Engineer Battalion I joined the battalion at Ft Bragg in August 1966. We left for Vietnam in May 1967. I took command of A Company in December 1967 and held the position till May 1968. I am retired now and live in Florida.
Historically Related Amazing History of 100+ years ! Manuel Ronquillo & Rosa Verdugo were my Great, Great Grandparents.
I met my Great, Great Grandmother ROSA in the early 1960's. . .Rosa Ronquillo Duarte. -Sandy from calif.
Mike Ronquillo I love to hear from people that have a family connection to the folks who are mentioned in my blog. You are the second person who is a descendant of the Ronquillo and Verdugo family. The other guy is named Mike Ronquillo. Do you know him? Mike thinks somebody ought to make a movie about Pete Kitchen and I agree. It is a great story that should not ever be lost.
Trails of Pete Kitchen Book There is a store about the Son of Cochise. It is very good story and should be made into a motion picture. Manuel Ronquillo Pete Ktchen's froeman was my great grandfather.
Mike:
I am familiar with that story. It would be a good movie, but Hollywood can be relied upon to screw it plumb up. I have a great deal of respect for your great grandpa. Do you happen to know where Pete, Manuel, or Pete's wife are buried? I would be honored to pay my respects at their grave sites.
Good for You Frank Wow Frank, what a trip. It's so cool to see pics and read your narrative of the places and events that our family fought through. I would dearly love to have joined you for this trip. BTW - I too like Cold pizza for breakfast... Carry On...
When I retired a few years back my little bride insisted that I find something to do so that I would not get underfoot in such a way that it might bring about marital discord. I am all for that. Leukemia is a piece of butterscotch pie compared to marital discord. Anyway I have bought a camera and a laptop and have set off to locate sites that are of interest to me. I take pictures at those sites and write short little stories about what took place there. My cousin, Bill, has encouraged me to start a blog, whatever that is, so that I can share my adventures. Next summer, 2013 will be th... full info
Kurt Cichowski
non-member comment
Can we connect?
DoubleBarrelBob--I am Kurt C+8 Cichowski and I'm currently working to place a historic marker on the Grayson County Courthouse. I am a historian and your blog has an amazing amount of detail not in the newspapers, records, or historical documentaries I've currently researched to include Kumler's PhD 1995 Dissertation and a Master's Thesis, written in 1931 and full of eye witness accounts. How can I connect with you and review the sources that gave you such detail?