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Bowie
Dec 15, 2011 12:20:01 GMT -5
Post by Hiram on Dec 15, 2011 12:20:01 GMT -5
By coincidence, the moon is waning gibbous tonight if anyone would like to see what DLP et al., were seeing the night of the 5th/morning of the 6th.
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Bowie
Dec 15, 2011 22:16:30 GMT -5
Post by sloanrodgers on Dec 15, 2011 22:16:30 GMT -5
Cool, I'll check it out, but at first I mistakenly read: "it's raining gibbons". I had a brief Rise of the Planet of the Apes moment from my recent DVD rental. ;D
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Bowie
Dec 17, 2011 15:54:53 GMT -5
Post by loucapitano on Dec 17, 2011 15:54:53 GMT -5
Rich, your observation about the moon backlighting the North Wall defenders caused me some further thought. It had to be another factor to be added to the numerous ones that have already been considered. First, was there what is often called "moon bright" from an 87% phase? Second, the sight of almost 1000 pairs of white pants emerging from the darkness had to cause some stir. Third, the battle was luminated by rocket batteries fired during the attack with a strobe-light effect. Fourth, There was illumination from the roofs of several west wall rooms catching fire. Fifth, The cannons in the fort required about 20 torches. Last, I don't think Texan rifle fire did much to slow the attack from the North. Most likely, the heaviest casualties came from the cannon which were fired as large bore shotguns at the massed attackers. Add to the the melee at the top of the wall and the shots fired at the backs of the columns at the foot of the wall by the reserves coming up behind and you have a pretty deadly scene. I'm sure that Santa Anna planned to benefit from the early morning darkness, but as the battle commenced, some other factors named above may have blunted this perceived advantage. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
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Bowie
Dec 19, 2011 11:38:40 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 19, 2011 11:38:40 GMT -5
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