Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/392

 390 THE FORT SHERIDAN ASSOCIATION

careful in the use of these explosives. One man has but one accident." And so 1 would caution you. If you give way to the fear that will doubt- less beset you in your first action; if you show the w^hite feather; if you let your men go forward w^hile you hunt a shell-crater, you w^ill never again have the opportunity of leading those men.

Use judgment, in calling on your men for displays of physical cour- age or bravery. Don't ask any man to go w^here you would not go your- self. If your common sense tells you that the place is too dangerous for you to venture into, then it is too dangerous for him. You know his life is as valuable to him as yours is to you. Occasionally some of your men must be exposed to danger w^hich you cannot share. A message must be taken across a fire-swept zone. You call for volunteers. If your men know you, and know that you are "'right " you will never lack volunteers; for they will know your heart is in your work, that you are giving your country the best you have, that you v/ould w^illingly carry the message yourself if you could. Your example and enthusiasm will have inspired them.

And lastly, if you aspire to leadership, I w^ould urge you to study men. Get under their skins, and find out what is inside. Some men are quite different from what they appear to be on the surface. Determine the workings of their minds. Much of General Robert E. Lee's success as a leader may be ascribed to his ability as a psychologist. He knew^ most of his opponents from West Point days; knew^ the w^orkings of their minds. He believed that they would do certain things under certain circumstances. In nearly every case, he w^as able to anticipate their movements and block the execution. You cannot know your opponents in this w^ar, in the same w^ay. But you can know your own men. You can study each to determine wherein lies his strength and his w^eakness. Which man can be relied upon to the last gasp and w^hich cannot. Know your men, know your business, know^ yourself.

Only three w^eeks remained. Early in November there had been a fall of snow^. The men were kept out of the trenches and off the ranges, but doubled up in lectures and study.

Three Friday nights were set aside for entertainments by the men. It w^as explained by the Commanding Officer that the work was compulsory and a part of their training.

The first w^as a minstrel shov/ given by the members of the Kansas- Colorado-Missouri Regiment. Following is the program:

1 . Opening Chorus — Medley, arranged by Candidate Booth, Fifteenth Battery.

2. Solo — "Joan of Arc," Candidate Payne, Eighth Company.

3. Song — "Sleepy Rag," Candidate Childs, Second Company.

4. Song — Somewhere in France Is the Lily," Candidate Nathan, Third Company.

5. Solo — "There's a Long, Long Trail," Candidate Frank Hughes, Fifth Company.

6. Song — "Yaaka Hula Hicky Dula," Candidate Jack Hughes, Sixth Company.

7. The Yale Quartette — "Doan' You Cry, My Honey," Candidates Witte, Bate, Park, Nathan.

8. Solo — "Can't You Hear Me Calling, Caroline, " Candidate Witte, Eighth Company.

Intermission five minutes.

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