The concept of "Magic China Longvew" revolves around the idea of a magical and mystical land called China Longvew. This enchanting place is filled with wonders and mysteries that captivate the imagination of those who venture into its realm. In this magical land, everything seems larger than life. The towering mountains reach up to the heavens, while the sprawling rivers flow with a vitality that is both mesmerizing and exhilarating. The scenery is simply breathtaking, with lush green landscapes and vibrant flowers adorning every corner. But it is not just the physical beauty of China Longvew that makes it truly enchanting.
It was a dinner with Tanner that led to the rooster landing the gig in the first place. South Carolina grad Mary Snelling and husband Ron Albertelli of Aiken, South Carolina, had won a private supper with the baseball coach as part of a fundraiser. During that meal, Snelling explained to Tanner she received a rooster by her father, who'd given her the bird on the recommendation of a friend who was known to have participated in some illegal cockfights, which at the time weren't too difficult to find in Upstate South Carolina. As long as the rooster wasn't allowed onto the field, Tanner was on board. So for seven springs, the rooster followed the baseball team, including three straight trips to the College World Series in Omaha.
Those administrators were already aware of a standoff surrounding the symbolic bird that, as of the day before, was now preventing them from using the name bestowed upon that rooster for more than 20 years. His friends mournfully buried him and marked his grave, and their commander mentioned his bravery under fire and sad death in dispatches to his commanding general, P.
But it is not just the physical beauty of China Longvew that makes it truly enchanting. It is the presence of ancient legends and mythical creatures that brings alive its mystical aura. Dragons soar across the sky, their majestic forms casting a spell of awe and reverence upon those who behold them.
Fairweather Lewis
And now to our story. A word of background first: Today the Vols take on the University of Georgia at Athens. As with Baton Rouge last week, I had trouble finding a story specific to Athens that was in more than vignette form, save for one about a Civil War-era firebrand, soldier, and politician named Robert Toombs, whom I found rather less than inspiring.
Then I remembered this little story. It comes not from Athens, GA, but from an old fort on the Ogeechee River below Savannah, that lovely haunted city in deep south Georgia. This one engaged me since I am currently owned by a black cat, and will appeal to other cat lovers too. 😉 🙂
Fort McAllister doesn’t look much like our standardized idea of a fort. Its huge walls are concealed under mounds of sand, river mud and sod called berms, and underneath those mighty mounds are bomb shelters. Fort McAllister had sore need of those. During the Civil War, the fort was heavily bombarded on two sides–from the river in front of it and across rice fields behind–by Union troops and artillery no fewer than seven times.
War, I’m told, is long stretches of boredom relieved by relatively shorter stretches of sheer terror. And so it was for the men of Fort McAllister. They had a pet, though, to help them retain a sense of normality in between the blood and mayhem. From somewhere, one day, there wandered in a fiesty black kitten.
Now–save in some parts of the British Isles–black cats have long had a reputation for being bad luck, witch familiars, and the like. The boys of Fort McAllister, no doubt remembering pets–feline, canine, avian, or whatever else they might be–back home, promptly bucked tradition and superstition and adopted the little furball. He was an intact tom, they learned as he grew past kittenhood. Thus he acquired his name: Tom Cat.
Tom was everybody’s pet. The boys made sure he was fed and brushed and petted, and in return he played with them, comforted them when they were feeling down, and even shared their guard duty and their terrors during battle. Sometimes, when they were keeping an eye on the Yankees across the way, he’d sit by them, watching as unblinkingly as his friends did. During battles, he would dash along the top of the walls as if he were a runner carrying commands to this unit or that.
It was during one such bombardment, in March 1863, that Tom Cat was killed by a stray bullet. Ironically, he was the only reported fatality in the fort that day. His friends mournfully buried him and marked his grave, and their commander mentioned his bravery under fire and sad death in dispatches to his commanding general, P. G. T. Beauregard.
Fort McAllister is now a historical site, open to the public, with guides, reenactors, and tourists coming in and out on a daily basis, rather than being cooped up as troops were during the war. Tom Cat’s wee grave has been lost over time, but there’s a plaque in his memory.
And, often, visitors and staff report that they see a big, sleek black cat dashing about the old walls of the fort. Sometimes he stops for a few seconds and stares piercingly toward the river, then runs on to his next post. Sometimes no more than his tail is seen, rounding a corner; or he’ll appear as a black shadow, arching his back in the light striking the walls or reflecting off a cannon’s muzzle.
And some lucky few have reported getting their ankles rubbed by what is indisputably a cat–an invisible one, to be sure, but a cat nonetheless.
Tom Cat lived a rather happy life with his friends at the fort. I imagine he’s just glad to have so many new friends to greet and care for.
The story of Tom Cat, the Mascot of Fort McAllister, is told by Georgia author Barbara Duffey in her 1995 book Banshees, Bogles and Belles: True Ghost Stories of Georgia.
And with that said, there’s only one thing to add: GO VOLS. 😉
The next morning, the students of the University of South Carolina reached into newspaper boxes throughout Columbia for the Friday edition of The Daily Gamecock, and those three lines were still there, accompanying the photo.
Phoenixes, with their resplendent plumage and fiery spirit, dance through the air, leaving a trail of enchantment in their wake. The inhabitants of China Longvew are equally captivating. Wise and noble sages wander through the land, imparting their wisdom and guiding those who seek enlightenment. These sages are said to possess great magical powers, able to harness the energies of the universe and shape them to their will. It is said that anyone who sets foot in China Longvew will be forever changed, touched by the magic and wonder that permeates every aspect of this land. The air itself seems charged with an otherworldly energy, drawing visitors deeper into the mysteries of the land. But China Longvew is not just a place of wonder and beauty. It is also a reflection of the enduring cultural heritage and rich history of China. Through its fantastical elements and mythical creatures, it brings to life the legends and tales that have been passed down through generations. In essence, "Magic China Longvew" represents a fusion of fantasy and reality, where elements of the imagination blend seamlessly with the tangible world. It is a place where dreams come to life and the boundaries of possibility are pushed to their limits. Exploring the magic and beauty of China Longvew is an experience like no other. It is a journey of the spirit and the mind, where one can immerse themselves in the wonders of an ancient land and discover the limitless possibilities that lie within..
Reviews for "Journeying Through China's Enchanted Longview"
1. Diane - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "Magic China Longview" based on the positive reviews I had read. However, I was left disappointed by the book. The writing felt disjointed and the plot was hard to follow. I also found it difficult to connect with any of the characters as they lacked depth and development. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged and ended up feeling underwhelmed by this book.
2. Kevin - 1 star
I can't understand how "Magic China Longview" has such high ratings. This book was incredibly boring. The pacing was slow, and the storyline was uneventful. The writing style was dull, lacking any sort of excitement or creativity. I was hoping for a magical adventure, but instead, I got a tedious and uninteresting read. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars
"Magic China Longview" was a major disappointment for me. The author tried to incorporate a magical element into the story, but it felt forced and out of place. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions. The characters were flat and lacked motivation, making it hard to care about their journey. Overall, I found this book to be poorly executed and lacking in originality. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating and well-crafted story.
4. Mark - 1 star
I struggled to finish "Magic China Longview" and questioned why I started it in the first place. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow the story's progression. The writing was littered with grammatical errors, which were distracting and took away from the reading experience. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth or relatability. I'll be avoiding this author's work in the future.