Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-16
How a Soldier Was Made.

In the whole United States army
there is no officer who possesses to a
greater degree the C, !ence ana re-
spect of the men that Ave served I'M
der him than General Adna
r. Chaffee, now on his way
to China to take command
Of the American forces there, says the
Utica Globe. 1t is not alone his cool
ness, Judgment, and absolute fearless
ness in action that endears him TO mis-
men, for these qualities are SO nearly
universal among the officers OF the
American army that they are taken
for granted, but also his constant
thoughtfulness and care for his men
and tact in handling them. After he
returned from service in CUBA the
men of his division told of an incl
dent showing his spirit toward them
and his possession of that quality SO
rare among soldiers who are them
selves without fear, sympathy with
victim OF panic. 1t was at Ell Caney'
Several companies were detailed 10
dig trenches and the Spanish sharp
shooters were potting at them from
treetops and clumps of bushes on the
hillsides. Presently the firing became
SO severe that the men were ordered
to drop their tools and return 1t.
About this time Gen. Chaffee came
along on foot looking over the situa-
ton. In the bottom Of one OF the
trenches he saw a soldier lying fiat on
his face. He thought the man might
be i'll and started to send him to the
rear. but asked what was the matter.
I'm afraid; that's what is the mat
ter with me-" said the soldier logged
ly. The general twisted the soldier
about. to get a good look at his face,
which had grown set and angry, soft
ened at what he saw. How old are
you?" he asked. Seventeen" said the
frightened soldier. why, your moth
ing but child" cried Gen. Chaffee.
I'D like to get hold of the fellow that
enlisted you" He stood thinking for
a moment while the boy shifted.
Now. see here" he said kindly. You
can't help being frightened, | suppose.
But there isn't nearly so much danger
as you think there is. Just pick up
your gun and take your position and
fight and I'll stand here by you till you
get used to it. Shaking like leaf,
the boy seized his gun and fired shot
almost straight up in the air. That's
a little high" said his instructor. TRY
il lower, and take a little more time
to aim. There's a Spaniard in that
green thicket straight up in front OF
YOU, l think" After three or four
shots the young soldier got his nerve
stopped trembling and began to shoot
with some accuracy and judgment.
That's better" said Gen. Chaffee, as
he moved away. Stay there and do
your best" Nine officers out of tea
would have sent the youngster to the
rear in disgrace and ruined his army
career. Gen. Chaffee's method was
the better in every way. The boy
fought like a veteran through the af-
ternoon, and when the order came to
withdraw he had to be dragged away
by his companions, though he had
been fighting for more than an hour
with a bullet wound in his shoulder.
He said that Gen. Chaffee had told him
to stay there and he was going to
stay. The wound was trifling one
and before the campaign was over
the boy had the reputation Of being
one Of the best soldiers in his COM
pany. He Is now a corporal and IS
serving in the Philippines.