The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-15
caAFFEE's WAY WITH HIS MEN.

/
CHAFFEE'S WAY WITH HIS MEN
An Incident mt Ell Cancy ExpIainin,
the Confidence They Feel In Him,
Grom the New York SUM-
In the whole United States Army Their
Is no officer who possesses to a greater de
gree the confidence and respect of the mel
that have served under him than Gen
Adna r. Chaffee. now on his way to Chin.
TO take command Of the American troop
there. It is not alone his GOODNESS, judg
ment, and absolute fearlessness in actor
! that endear him to his men, for these quail.
/ tiles are so nearly universal among the Of
+ fcers OF the American Army that they are
! taken for granted but also his constant
thoughtfulness and care for his men and
his tact In handling them. After he re-
turned from service In Cuba the men OF
his division told of an Incident showing his
spirit toward them and his possession OF
| that quality SO rare among soldiers wno
are themselves without fear, sympathy
with a victim OF panic
II was at Ell Caney Several companies
were detailed to dig trenches and the
Spanish sharpshooters Were potting at
them from tree tops and clun,ps of bushes
came SO severe that the men were ordered
to drop their tools and return it. About
this time General Chaffes came along on
foot looking over the situation. In the
bottom Of one Of the trenches he saw
soldier lying fiat on his face, while the man
next TO him kicked him in the intervals
OF firing AS the general walked over he
heard the kicker address the PROSTATE
soldier in a savage whisper:
Get up, you blanked fool, Here comes
old Chaffee. Ii he sees you you're done
for
What's the matter with that MANI"
asked General Chaffee OF the speaker. rs
he wounded?"
'No. SIR" said the soldier. saIuting. The
PROSTATE man made no motion.
Sun, them" asked the general, for
there were many cases OF collapse from
heat under the bitter glare of the Cuban
afternoons.
II don't know. SIR replied the soldier
in embarrassment
All this time the bullets were whistling
around the soldier. who had risen from
his crouched posture and was standing at
salute.
Don't stand there and expose yourself,
my man. said General Chaffee kindly. al
though he himself had been standing IN
full range all the time. Now he walked
over to the grovelirg soldier, took him Dy
the collar and hauled him to sitting
posture.
What do you mean by lying there" he
said sterniy. Get up and fight with your
company"
mo. I can't" whined the fellow
Cant" said the general. We'll. you're
a fine soldier, What business have you
got here? What's the matter with you,
anyway
I'm afraid; that's what the matter
with me-" said the soldier doggedly. try
ing TO wrest his collar from the grasp Of
the other and trying in vain, for General
Chafee has muscles of steel.
beg pardon. sir" said the mans neigh
Dor, saluting again. II think the kids
been sick. SIR
That's charitable thought" said the
general grimly
He twisted his captive about to get a |
good look at him. and his face which had |
grown set and angry, softened at what he |
saw
How old are you?" he asked.
Seventeen. said the frightened soldier
why, you're nothing but a child cried |
General Chaffee. "rd like to get hold OF
the fellow that enlisted you
He stood thinking for a moment while
the boy SMILED. Spanish bullet sent a
little spirit Of dirt up from the entrench- |
men. not two feet from where he stood
beg. pardon. sir: they're getting your
range" said the other soldier. Hadn't |
you better lie down. sir?"
The general paid no attention to the |
but shifted his hand from the col
ar to the shoulder of his captive.
Now. see here" said he kindly. you /
ant help being frightened. I suppose. But
here isn't nearly so much danger as you |
hiuk there is. You Just pick up your gun
md take your position and fight and I'll |
tard here by you until you get used to it,
Shaking like leaf the boy seized his gun
md fired a shot almost straight up in the
lir.
That's little high said his instructor
Try it lower and take little more time
% aim. There's a Spaniard in that green
hicket straight in front of you. think"
After three or four shots the young SOL
lier got his nerve. stopped trembling and
,egan to shoot with some accuracy and
Judgment.
That's better" said General Chaffee as
.e moved away. Stay here and do your
,est''
Nine officers out of ten would have sent
he youngster to the rear in disgrace and
uiued his army career. General Chaffee's
Method was the better in every way. The
10Y fought like q veteran through the |
fternoon and when the order came to
withdraw he had to be dragged away by
is companions, though he had been fight.
ng for more than an hour with bullet
FOUND in his shoulder. He said that Cen
raj Chaffee had told him to stay there
nd he was going to stay. The wound was
trifiug one, and before the campaign
-as over the boy had the reputation OF
eing one of the best soldiers in his COM
any He Is now corporal and is sery-
lg in the Philippines.