Quote Originally Posted by icanus View Post
And just to add to the fun, as Colonel, you're standing with your back to the men you had flogged last week while they shoot past you from behind.

Better hope your subordinate officers:
  • keep a close eye on what the men are doing
  • don't dislike you too much
  • aren't looking for promotion

Absolutely, even in the 18th century 'fragging' an officer wasn't unknown. General Kane, the author of the manual, has this to say on the matter ...
Suppose that the signal for battle is given: upon this the Colonel orders his Drum to beat a ruffle, which is as much as to say, “Take Care”, and then saying something to encourage and excite the men to the performance of their duty. This may seem ridiculous by some, yet I know it will animate and raise an emulation among the soldiers, especially when they have a love for their officers.

I cannot but take notice of some gentlemen who, instead of treating their men with good nature, use them with contempt and cruelty; by which those gentlemen often meet with their fate in the day of battle, from their own men; when those officers who, on the other hand, treat their men with justice and humanity, will be sure, on all occasions, to have them stand fast by them, and even interpose between them and death.