As you well know, having been in tight situations yourself, that there always come times when impulsive actions on the part of individuals (including commander) is necessary to accomplish the objective. Whether it is storming the breastworks, or running out under fire to pull a wounded comrade to safety. Southern leadership was, to say the least, impulsive by nature. It is often said that the bravest die first in War.

This is not to say that men like Cleburne and Govan were not practical men also. They both knew that they would probably die in that charge at Franklin. They argued against making such a charge as being useless because they knew the dangers. Much like Longstreet at Gettysburg about Pickett's Charge. But once ordered, and being military men, there wasn't much else for them to do but set the example for their men, who were asked to do the same.

BUT, that does not mean that such was expected of them in any military manuel. THAT was a matter of personal Honor and manhood.

Take for example the courage of the Color Bearers and their guards of both sides, who were not "officers" normally, but whose job was the most dangerous of all, because they would be the target of every musket of the opposing force. None of them had to do that job. It was voluntary and considered a post of Honor, because of its danger. And many men lost their lives carrying that flag and many only a few seconds after picking it up off the ground from the last guy to carry it.

That is something that is not taught in any military manuel, or Academy that I know of. Yes, you can be taught Duty, Honor, and Country (Patriotism), but courage is an individual trait of charactor. That is not to say that those who don't display such traits are cowards. None who have ever faced the enemies bullets are. But some men have something else, some individual spark which leads them to do the things that they do, and only by the grace of God do they come through it against all odds.