The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-12


with a set of figures is ss futile ~ an
atlolopt 10 bsstow the Victoria Cross
upon moonbsnm. a further reason
why such heroic nonsense az refusal
under all circumstances TO take cover
from the enemy's fre may prevail in
British more than In American service
ls found IN the higher social rank Of the
average British officer. The officers Of
our regular army are mostly gentlemen,
but a majority OF them began 10 be
gentlemen pretty late in llfe-mOst OF
them when they entered she military
academy. whereas the English officer
~ rule. is a gentleman born, nOt made
4, makes a dlffercnse-nOt perhaps In
courage. but In that punctillous obser-
vance Of the "propricties" Of which the
custom under consideration II merely an
example. Plebelan gallantry is Disposed
10 be practical and logical. When need
ful Il RACES lionwise Ia the forefront Of
battle: during seasons Of inactivity II
Is not unmindful OF the value 70 his
country OF an officers life. nor insen-
slble to the advantages Of social OBJ
sourlty at home. Tho gallantry that
manifests itself under FIRE by standing
lone and conspicuous. uncOncernedly
rolling cigarettes, is distinctly patri-
clan
As 10 the military value OF that sort |
Of thing-I mean It's direct and Imme-
diate effectiveness iE contributing 20 |
victory--much depends upon clrcum-
stances That an officers visible cool
ness and apparent unconcern does
much to tranquilize the men II they
are excited and hearten them n de-
morallzcd goes without aaying. and
men DO get terribly excited In battle
and terribly demorllized when u is
going against them. Whether In any par
ticular engagement this trlnquiIlzlng
effect II worth the lives lost In secur-
Ing it-that Ia IA matter for omniscience.
wherewith military writer's are not
equipped Among the less
obvious advantages Of the tradition"
hat Il is an officers duty TO encourage
MS men by getting himself killed Is
hat OF promoting promotion.
Something OF the tactical advantage
u personal exposure TO peril is unde-
,iable; for whether It is real or imagi-
iary no one with decent weakness
or the heroic viii deny II. Such an In
tance was that OF Hancock on the
bird day az Gettysburg. For an un-
time Lee had been pre-
laring the way for Picket's memorable
harge by the concentrated fire OF one
hundred and fifty guns against the fed
raj center. SO searching was this aw-
ul fire that those who had not the good /
uck to be killed by It fiattened them
elves like soles and actually bored into
he earth TO escape Il. Horses, guns, r
llssons, ammunition. wagons-every- {
hing movable except the men-were Q
ushed over the crest OF the ridge for !
uch protection as was passible where c
Rlf the torment came from above. II
semed as II not even blade OF grass
ould lift It's head and not be shOrn -
rom its root. At that intolerable time
len. Hancock mounted his horse and
/ the head OF a cavalcade Of reluctant
an officers and orderlies (poor fellows) q
,de slowly along the ridge distinctly A
sable 10 every Confederate gunner. 4
e gave no commands; none were nee a
isary and none could have been heard a
it the ley effrontery OF the perform n
nee put new hearts into these flattened CT
en- and Pickett was beaten before he =
iarged. But II all the officers on that s
dge had had the presumption to be a
role the Confederate historian might 81
i've recorded the outcome with a more ~
bllant pen. Il
know not how 1t was in the war ls
lth Spain. nor how 1t is in the war
IN Agulnaldo. but among the Volun,
ers OF the war Of the first rebellion n
ere was no law. written or unwritten &
officers to take cover. Most W
them habitually did so when their ~
en- did. and, so far as l could observe :
Ithout loss OF prestige or respect. AL 4
lys there were visable in action few
he, as rule. did not. excepting o.
urse, In the defense OF fortified lines.
lese non-conformists We're subject to
equent rebuke by superior authorit,
G command Lie down, sir" or -
'ake cover, sirl' having Sometimes
added austerity from the circum-
ances OF Its delivery from the back 49,
a horse. Commonly, however when
collision In the open was visibly i'm
Inent the horses OF .leld officers were -
Mt to the rear more, think, to pre- :
rye them than their riders. So far
my memory serves, general officers
ring field fighting usually remained
the saddle when near the front. At
E battle of Stone River Gen. Rose
ans sought to hearten up his hard
essed army by riding with his stan
ong the froat, Immediately in rear OF -.
an q Dnvy1vaMy nd