Daily Yellowstone journal., 1884-05-14
T.. MICS IN The hG.Lf.
How the slightest Causes Sonr tlmes
Lead 20 the GRAY 1T Results.

How the slightest Causes sonr tlmes
Lead 20 the s:rny.- Krsn,tr.
Detroit F.r' Flrss
The panic which seized upon q por.
lion of the Federal army ut first Bull
Run. and resulted in demoralizing the
whols. was repeated many times after
wards in both armies. Place o regi-
ment in ever Sd favorable fighting
position, and give it tho best officers in
the service, and one thing more is
needed. Unless men are driven to des.
peration they will not fight their best
until possible disaster is provided for by
an avenue OF escape to the rear. Troops
can be quickly and steadily half-faced to
meet flank attack, but il it continues
long panic is almost certain TO be the
result. The soldier fears that his re-.
treat will be cut off. Even il he has no
thoughts Of retreat, this feeling forces
itself upon him and demoralizes the
bravest troops.
The slightest cause has led tograyest
results in battles. Let battery change
position with rush, running through
q brigade, and those men must be
handled firmly to prevent n falling
back. Caissons in search OF ammuni-
ton have stampeded regiments time and
again. Let one regiment fall back
hastily to secure new position, and it
is cool line of veterans indeed which
will open to let the men pass and then
close up firmly after them. II is not
the fear of being killed that unnerves
a man fighting in the ranks.
Men who have fired seventy
Ave rounds ct close range have
been afterwards stampeded by the
fear of being surrounded and captured.
With veteran fighters the fear of being
made prisoner 10 perhaps stronger
than that of death itself. A man fall
ing dead as line advances produces no
CONSERVATION. The gap is closed as
lu ok as the men on either side can
move up. But. let man be wounded
and call out at the top Of his voice, rs
was sometimes the case. and sort of
culver runs up and down his whole
company. Let second and third be
hit, and il requires the stern: STEADY,
men!" OF the captain to prevent disorder
in the ranks.
The teamsters were the direct cause
of more than one panic. Beng non.
combatants AMI unarmed, they we're, of
course, helpless, and for this sane rea-
son eisily frightened. Let one shell
TALL among the wayon-train. and nine
out Of ten wagons were bound to move.
II one teamster abandoned his wagon,
others were certain to follow his OK.
ample. no matter how slight the
LANCER.
When Gen. Sturgis had his fight ut
Guntown, Miss. the wagon train was
by some blunder brought too near the
front and parked in On open field. As
the fighting grew hot the Con:ederates
brought forward single section of ar.
tillery and got the range Of this train.
Four or Ave shells did the work.
A panic seized the teamstsrs, and
the few who got their wagons
out of the field abandoned them
along the only highway. This action
blocked the road, preventing any move
ment of artillery along the thorough.
fare, and in half an hour there was q
panic among the men who had oil along
ieen q citing with the greatest bravery,
The panic resulted in q rout, entirely
uncalled for, and the Confederates
gathered in from 800 to l 100 prison, ~,
eighteen pieces of artillery, $50 wagons
and ambulances, G0O horses and mules,
and rations and ammunition in immense
quantities. The bur ting of Ave or six
shells half mi.e in rear Of the lines Of
battle lost Sturgis that fight, and came
near beng the destruction Of his whole
command.