About That Uncle Sam-- Part 3: Most Likely Was Sam Wilson

The true origin of Uncle Sam is disputed, but a resolution of Congress in 1961 declared that an upstate New York meat packer and inspector named Sam Wilson was the original Uncle Sam.  He was a soldier during the American Revolution from Troy, New York,  and provided rations to American troops during the War of 1812.

It is not known whether Wilson's appearance was the inspiration for Uncle Sam's appearance, but James Montgomery Flagg's depiction of the man has certainly stood the test of time.

Flagg's Uncle Sam was used again during World War II.

I had a copy of Flagg's Uncle Sam up in my classroom with the words "For the U.S. Army" covered up and the words "To Do Your Homework" written.  I told my students that no matter where they were in the room, he was looking and pointing directly at them.  I often winder how many stared at him.

--Brock-Perry

About That Uncle Sam-- Part 2: Uncle Sam Poster Based On a British Poster

James Montgomery Flagg was a creator of cartoons, illustrations, and drawings of publications of all sorts.    He worked for advertisers, magazines, newspapers, book publishers and was commissioned by  Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper in  in 1916.  It was a weekly publication  that pioneered in the use of early photography (and illustrations especially during the Civil War) during its 70+ year run and he used himself as a model.

The headline of that week's issue was "What Are You Doing For Preparedness?" At this time, the U.S. was drawing closer to entering the war raging in Europe.   He decided to make a poster of the then-famous recruiting poster of the British Army depicting the famous  Field Marshal Lord Kitchener pointing his finger and looking directly at the viewer and  telling them they're wanted in the British Army.  But he was going to use the likeness of Uncle Sam instead.

Okay, then, so who was this Uncle Sam?

Well that harkens back to our war, the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

About That Uncle Sam-- Part 1: A War of 1812 Connection

From the Jan. 13, 2020, We Are the Mighty  "Uncle Sam is a real guy and his poster is a self-portrait" by Blake Stilwell.

And, he has a War of 1812 connection and a World War I one as well.

In 1917, artist James Montgomery Flagg created his most famous work, a recruiting poster for the U.S. Army as the United States prepared to enter World War I.  It featured a white-haired, white-whiskered old man in an old-timey top hat, coat  and tie in bold red, white, and blue colors.  And the words "I Want You for the U.S. Army."

He was inspired by similar recruiting posters in Europe (which had been at war since 1914). It was designed to appeal to American patriotism.  (I myself like how the finger points to you as well as the eyes follow you when you're looking at it.  That used to really get my students.)

And, it is basically a portrait of Flagg himself.  This article has a photo of Flag next to his creation and you can see the resemblance.

--Brock-Perry

Ten Things You Didn't Know About the War of 1812-- Part 2

3.  THE ROCKETS REALLY DID HAVE A RED GLARE AND THE BOMBS DID BURST IN THE AIR

The Congreve Rockets looked like giant bottle rockets.  They were canisters loaded with gunpowder, tar and shrapnel that spun in the air when fired, putting out a red glare.  They were essentially very inaccurate, but intimidating, kind of an 1814 version of "shock and awe."

The bombs bursting in air were 200 pound cannonballs designed to explode over a target and rain shrapnel down on the defenders

The British fired about 1500 rockets and bombs at Fort McHenry, but only four Americans died from the bombardment.

Of course, I have often heard the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner," but had not known what the rockets were called.


4.  UNCLE SAM CAME FROM THE WAR EFFORT

In Troy, New York, a military supplier named Sam Wilson packed meat rations into barrels marked U.S..  According to local lore, a soldier inquiring as to what the initials stood for was told "Uncle Sam" Wilson who was feeding the American Army.

However, images of the white-bearded recruiter and symbol of the country did not appear until over a century later, during World War I.

I'd heard this story before.

Six More to Come.  --Brock-Perry