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Article: Officers lead and die by example.(ARTS & CULTURE)(THE CIVIL WAR)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- January 3, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Washington Times LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Charles A. Jones, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
At the Battle of South Mountain in 1862, Confederate Brig. Gen. Samuel Garland insisted on being at the front lines, disregarding warnings about Union sharpshooters. A regimental commander warned Garland of the danger, but Garland replied, "I might as well be here as yourself." Shortly thereafter, Garland was mortally wounded.
The division commander, D.H. Hill, wrote in "Battles and Leaders" that for Garland, the "post of danger was the post of honor."
This "post of danger" reflects the officer's primary role in combat: not fighting but leading; not killing the enemy but ensuring that ...