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Post by joewiggs on Jul 5, 2012 21:01:08 GMT -5
Custer was not the only commander that was forced to deal with an outrageous amount of desertion by army personnel. Discussing First Cavalry desertion from Fort grant, Arizona, Private Nathan Bell explained, "We stationed so far from any town and on a desert...and the boys [who deserted] wanted to get back to civilization."
I guess their hearts just weren't in it!
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Post by joewiggs on Jul 8, 2012 15:00:33 GMT -5
How could a civilian join the military of the 1800's for economic reasons! Seems impossible doesn't it?Read the following:
First Cavalryman William Hustede said that he, "was working in a grocery store for$2.00 per week-the Army paid $13.00 per month."
Now the way I figure it, the extra $5:00 a month simply was not enough incentive to take the chance of crossing ole man Sitting Bull and Company!
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Post by joewiggs on Jan 27, 2013 12:35:32 GMT -5
The following shows how soldiers, taken unawares, may initially respond to an enemy attack in an adverse and unproductive fashion and, then get it together when just one individual does something different:
1st., Cavalry:
Taken unaware by a strong party Modocs, may 10Th. 1873, three companies of the First Cavalry were fired on while in camp, from a range of only about one hundred yards.
"I saw a line of Mordocs pop up their heads, and fire a volley [wrote Charles B. Hardin], This at first cause some confusion. men rolled over behind blankets-no covering however small being ignored, fastening on belts and pulling on boots under a hail if of bullets.....There was a possibility of panic, but this was happily averted by Sergeant Thomas Kelly of our troop, who sprang up and shouted, "God damn it, let's charge."
This encouraged the rest of the men who did, in fact, charge rather then seek useless cover, winning the day. This of course is another example of "leadership" making a difference but, placed here because it involved the 1st. Cavalry.
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Post by stumblingbear on Jan 27, 2013 18:49:33 GMT -5
I understand what you are saying, I think! To panic when faced with sudden terror is understandable. for someone to stand up and "lead" others away from confusion and fear is a saving grace! Right?
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