Sam Elliott

Buford's wisdom

The Trump campaign has admitted that their “plan” going forward is to attack VP Kamala Harris…mainly because that’s all their candidate is capable of. It has recently been described as a “feral political offensive”. Policy bores him. His live audience wants insults, not details on how we move forward as a nation. They want to be entertained…so their battle cry is “attack, attack” which made me think of actor Sam Elliott playing General Jno Buford on the ridge just west of Gettysburg on June 30, the day before the great battle would take place.

Buford’s vision was put into words and written by author Michael Shaara after a family vacation to Gettysburg in 1964….and many years later Elliott would play out the scene, near the actual location…as Shaara’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel “The Killer Angels” became the epic Civil War film “Gettysburg” funded by CNN and TCM founder Ted Turner.

In Buford’s vision, which he describes to his staff in the film…the politicians in Washington are demanding that General Meade attack Bobby Lee…and that Meade will fail. The quote in the novel is “We will attack valiantly and be butchered valiantly, and afterward men will thump their chests and say what a brave charge it was”.

In the film the script by director Ron Maxwell added men in “tall hats and gold watch fobs”…will thump their chests…so Elliott/Buford pounds his chest and a huge amount of road dust encircles everyone. His somewhat confused staff look on, trying to figure out the Shakespearean moment. It’s a brilliant scene, well delivered by a great actor.

The thing that the very experienced Indian fighter Buford (pictured above) becomes determined to do is to hold the high ground with his small group of cavalry until Gen. Reynolds comes up with his Corps which is camped 10 miles to the rear.

His goal is to hold AP Hill ( Pat Falci, above in red battle shirt with Martin Sheen) and the other CSA units headed his way, at a choke point crossing a stream as long as possible on the morning of July 1.

Fast forward about 24 hours and Buford arrives outside US Army HQ…a small smoke filled cabin of officers waiting for Gen. Meade to arrive. Gen Renolds is dead at the hands of a rebel sharpshooter, but the US Army has come together and held steady. Buford and Gen Hancock, beautifully portrayed by Brian Mallon, meet and discuss the day. Buford’s clear eyed vision made Lee’s people attack…and the stage was set for the rest of the Battle of Gettysburg to occur. Sam Elliott plays the midnight scene to perfection. “General Reynold’s we held the high ground”.

Lee would continue attacking the US Army for 2 VERY bloody days, mostly dug in at defensive positions behind stone walls along ridges and on hilltops. There was bravery on both sides… but Bobby Lee’s perceived need to “attack. attack” failed on the hills and ridges around Gettysburg. The carnage cost him deeply….and President Lincoln saw his own vision…bringing US Grant east to run the war and wear down Bob Lee, until there was nothing left to do but surrender his totally worn out, starving and depleted army.

This Sept. 10 just may be Trump’s high water mark with his “feral political offensive.

Thank you Jno Buford for your inspiration helping to save the country…free the slaves and keep us moving forward. This is a man who deserved his monument.

And thanks to Michael Shaara for his interest, research and brilliant writing. Check out the Killer Angels if you have not read it. You’ll be inspired for the fight ahead.

Peace