Under Fire

[joewiggs]

The following is not a refection upon all of the Officers of the 3rd. Cal. nor do I intend it to be. It is interesting, however, that incidents of alleged heroism and cowardice knew no bounds of military rank. Everyone on the firing line, from the officer corps. to the lowly grunt, was susceptible to uncontrollable emotions and discomfort.

For example, one story tells of several companies of the Third Calvary being hotly engaged with a strong force of Apaches, at the Big Dry Wash, Arizona, in July, 1882. sergeant Perley S. Eaton wrote that:

"...at the height of the battle, a soldier from one of the companies was shooting from a large tree, when the Captain of his troop came along to where the soldier was and pushed him from the tree and took the shelter there himself-the soldier was shot dead."
No one has been able to confirm this story as truth but, it certainly reflects one trooper's reflection of what hew believed to be an act of the disturbing fainthearted.

Men under the stress of heated combat are capable of achieving the highest level of unflinching heroics or sink to the most craven of dastardly acts.

[joewiggs]

An interesting story:

March 16, 1976 a detailed account of an inexperienced officer's failure was given by Capt. Carter.

Once a detail was sent out scouting under Lt.____. They were attacked by Indians outnumbering the men two to one. This officer ran__unqualifying ran, begging his men to follow and 'not fire a shot for fear of angering the Indians.' [Sergeant] Carlton rode beside him and said: 'Lt. if we stop and make a stand they will run.' 'No! No! we can do nothing but try and out run them,'___said.

Charlton than took command and, also chances of being tried for disobedience of orders, made a stand with the men, who were more experienced in such warfare than the young, untried officer, and drove the Indians off. This officer came to him afterward and asked him not to say anything about this at the post, and Charlton told me he never did.'

I understand fear, having experienced once or twice. what I do not understand is the Sergeants silence which effectively covered up the fact that one man's cowardice almost resulted in the deaths of the entire command. What happens the next time this Lt. is called upon to lead the outfit again?

Ironically, had the Lt. chosen to report the Sergeant for disobedience of orders, the Sergeant's offense would have taken precedence over the Lt's cowardice.