Author Archives: Allen Mesch

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About Allen Mesch

Allen is an author, educator, and historian. He has written nine books: The Analyst; Teacher of Civil War Generals; Your Affectionate Father, Charles F. Smith; Charles A. Marvin - "One Year. Six Months, and Eleven Days", Preparing for Disunion, Ebenezer Allen - Statesman, Entrepreneur, and Spy, The Forgotten Texas Statesman, The Third Rebellion, and The Traitor. He taught classes on the American Civil War at Collin College. He has visited more than 130 Civil War sites and given presentations at Civil War Roundtables.

We Are Better Than This – Part 4

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Allen Mesch

Watching the movie A Complete Unknown was a trip down memory lane. I was a big fan of folk music in the 1960s. I loved listening to Joan Baez; Pete Seager; Peter, Paul, and Mary; The Clancey Brothers; and many … Continue reading →

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We Are Better Than This – Part 3

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Allen Mesch

I hardly know where to begin with this post. An Arizona Supreme Court justice warned the public of the danger to democracy if the president gets to claim that only he gets to decide what the law is. The administration … Continue reading →

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We Are Better Than This – Part 2

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Allen Mesch

As Americans ponder how cuts in federal employment affects us, we need to consider the other side of the issue. What about the lives of the terminated government employees? They are not just numbers. They have families that are dependent … Continue reading →

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We Are Better Than This – Part 1

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Allen Mesch

“Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” The warning from Bette Davis could be applied to the political situation in America. One political party is content to allow their leader to run “roughshod” over the semblance of … Continue reading →

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February 16, 1862 – Fort Donelson

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Allen Mesch

On February 16, 1862, Confederate forces holding Fort Donelson in Tennessee surrendered to Union troops. U. S. Grant’s army captured 12,000 Confederate soldiers. Grant’s terms of surrender were suggested by General Charles F. Smith. Grant agreed with Smith’s recommendation and … Continue reading →

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Lesons from Aesop, Samuel, and Carter

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Allen Mesch

The Frogs Who Desired a King According to the story, a group of frogs lived happily and peacefully in a pond. Over time, however, they became discontented with their way of life, and thought they should have a mighty king … Continue reading →

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Succession? Seriously?

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Allen Mesch

Some Texans are talking about seceding. It is unlikely that the United States government would let Texas steal quietly away. It didn’t happen in 1861, so it’s unlikely that the separation would be viewed cordially. Before considering what Texas would … Continue reading →

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New Year and the Normal Curve

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Allen Mesch

This is a strange title for my first post of 2025. Normal Distribution is the most common or normal form of a distribution of random variables. We use this distribution to represent a large number of random variables. It serves … Continue reading →

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Happy Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Allen Mesch

I want to wish you a very happy holiday season. Regardless of your faith or creed, I hope that you will give love and be loved. Let us pray for peace and discussion. We should all try our best to … Continue reading →

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Death of Sitting Bull

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Allen Mesch

On December 15, 1890, Hunkpapa Lakota Chief Sitting Bull and eleven other tribe members were killed in Grand River, South Dakota, during a confrontation with Indian agency police. Sitting Bull (1831–1837) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance against United … Continue reading →

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