First western movie ever made was filmed in Lancashire

[yanmacca]

Well would you believe it, the first western movies was filmed in England, Blackburn Lacashire to be exact;

link

[colt45]

The Indian costumes were probably close to authentic, since it was filmed in 1899 and Hollywood had not begun making westerns yet, where they could take all kinds of liberties with reality.

[Beth]

Interesting. Can you imagine if Blackburn Lancaster had become the equivalent of Hollywood? There would perhaps been a lot less gangster type movies and more costumed dramas.

[yanmacca]

You could only imagine what a Lancashire western would be like if it was a talky, just try this phrase in a John Wayne voice;

Al’reet Kincade, your like piffy on a rock bun so What ya on wi lad.

Translated: Are you okay Kincade, your hanging around with no purpose. So What have you been up to.

[yanmacca]

Think we had an advantage in the fact that Buffalo Bill came to the region with his wild west show, Blackburn is not that far from Salford so they had a first hand look at how the American Indian dressed.

link

[dave]

As a brief aside regarding Buffalo Bill, he was a member of the 7th Kansas Cavlary when it participated in the Battle of Harrisburg on July 14-15, 1864. This battle was part of General Sherman's campaign to destroy the supply bases of General Forrest in North Mississippi and insure that Forrest would not interfer with Sherman's supply line from Nashville as he conducted his Atlanta campaign.

A little known fact is that William F. Cody, as a member of the 7th Kansas Cavalry, particpated in the burning of Oxford, MS on November 22, 1864. General A.J. Smith ordered the burning of Confederate supplies and warehouse when the fire spread to surrounding buildings on the square and many personal homes nearby. Smith's objective was a seek and destroy campaign against Forrest. Thinking that Forrest might attack when his supply based was destroyed, Smith completed his mission. Forrest was significantly weaker in force and was not able to attack Smith directly.

Chaplin Elijah E. Edwards of the 7th Minnesota kept a diary and this is his entry for August 22 about the burning:
"I saw everywhere scenes of riot and the wildest confusion. Many houses were in flames, and others were being plundered relentlessly by the mob consisting of mostly of soldiers, without guidance but acting as any unruly mob would do. They carried from the buildings all kinds of plunder most of which could not be any use to them. They carried mirrors, rocking chairs, vases, articles of wearing apparel, bedding, books. As the smoke grew denser the scene grew more weird and more like Hades. This piece of diabolical tomfoolery was capped by an exhibition that would scarcely be deemed possible, in a CIVIL war. A drunken man on horseback came galloping through the smoke, holding before him a grinning skeleton which he had stolen from a Doctor’s office. It is said that this vandal was a Surgeon’s Assistant. Whoever he was, and I did not want to know more, his act was the most revolting that I have to chronicle.”

This incident was part of the total war concept that was used to destroy not only the means of the Confederates to fight but also the will. As harsh as it was to conduct this type of warfare, it certainly hastened the end of the War.
Regards
David

[yanmacca]

Well Dave, in the words of General William Tecumseh Sherman 'War is Hell'

How are you anyway Dave, everything okay?
Looking forward to Christmas

[quincannon]

As to Dave's point. Anyone that does not think war is nothing more than nearly unrestricted savagery is sadly mistaken, and civil wars are the most savage of them all.

Ian: I hope when you visit the States you get the opportunity to visit the greatest western movie set of them all, Monument Valley, Utah, the set that nature herself provided.

[yanmacca]

Chuck, that would be on the list with the LBH, along with the Alamo, New Orleans and Los Angeles.

[yanmacca]

I always think of the 1st day of the battle of the Somme were 13 British Infantry Divisions went into action and nearly 60.000 men from them, were either KIA, WIA or MIA. Imagine the sight of 60.000 casualties.

[dave]

Ian I am doing very well and thank you for asking. Are y'all doing well with the dark days of winter coming  to Old Blighty?
Regards
David

[yanmacca]

Hi Dave, well it is raining cats and dogs here mate; our region is bearing the brunt of it with local flooding expected.
They have given out a widespread frost on Saturday which is like going from one extreme to another.
It hard to comprend that less than a month ago we were sitting in crete in 80° sunshine and getting weighted on hand and foot "LOL"

Good to know you are well, good to know that everyone on this board is okay.

[yanmacca]

I know I mentioned Blackburn Lancashire before but is there any beatles fans in the house?
If so can they remember what relation Blackburn Lancashire had to a famous beatle song.

[yanmacca]

No Beatles fans here then.

[quincannon]

Personally I have always considered the Beatles British revenge for Lexington and Yorktown. Were it up to me I would turn Bob Wills, and Spike Jones loose on Widnes in retribution.