One reason for Union victory

by John "Pastafarian" Gaines

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Silly Week 2009

 

Following mixed military efforts of 1861 and 1862, the Union Army grasped the need for an overwhelming tactical advantage.  After intensive training of men and animals, Ulysses S. Grant fielded Union Cavalrymen mounted on Tyrannosaurs in late 1863 with fantastic results.  Frequently lost to history, the dino-cavalry units inspired many Confederate soldiers to desert the cause and flee back to their homes with tales of the "vile Union monsters."  In a move of desperation, Confederate forces attempted to counter the new Union threat with their own dinosaurs in the early months of 1865.  Unfortunately, the Confederates were only able to obtain herbivorous Brontosaurs, the results being confused looks on the faces of Union soldiers.

Click on images below to see larger images

This diorama grew out of a discussion that I had with some other grad students.  One of the questions on my exams was: "Discuss reasons for Union victory and Confederate defeat during the Civil War."  The conversation turned to the outlandish, and I suggested that the Union army deployed dinosaurs (this was strange because no one was drinking at the time).

The diorama consists of a medium sized Tyrannosaur from one of those "Nature" stores in the mall and a few Gettysburg soldiers from the bagged plastic soldiers at Hobby Lobby.  The Confederate soldier running away required quite  bit of surgery with a mix of several different guys to achieve his pose.  The Union dino-cavalry man just needed his inner thighs shaved out to fit on the T-Rex instead of a horse.  The bridle and saddle are wire, thread, and putty (which melted a little during my last move).

Hope you like it.
John

Photos and text © by John "Pastafarian" Gaines