He is not the first and he is certainly not the last. In this case, remember it is the Nineteenth Century and people were covering table legs because they thought they were too erotic. The whole Transcendental Movement and the Second Great Awakening really screwed up early America. It caused a lot of social and cultural friction that spilled over into politics and resulted in a lot of added friction.

You see the conflict between "good" and "evil" in all the soldier accounts. I find it humorous to see all of them claiming that it someone else that was drinking, whoring, gambling, etc. You hardly ever read one that says, "Yes, my dearing loving wife, last night me and the boys went to town and had a grand 'ole time but this morning I deeply regret it because now I have nothing to show for it but a headache and empty pockets."

Where leaders get into trouble is when they start confusing what is legal/illegal and what is morally acceptable. You have to enforce what is "legal" and encourage what is "moral." It is one thing to enforce the "law" and it is another thing to impose one's morality upon others.

When I was a tank company commander I had a troop that was not treating his wife and child right. He had separated from his wife and was not giving her any money for support. By regulation all he was required to give her was the difference Base Housing Allowance (previously called BAQ) with and without dependents. That was his "legal" obligation. Now I told him that was his "legal" obligation but "morally" it was his responsibility to take care of that baby and if he did not take care of his "moral" obligation it would dim my opinion of him as a man. I got by with it and the guy coughed up a little more money. He did not have a whole lot of money anyway but I wanted to cut into his alcohol and cigarette money. If one can't take care of family then they don't need alcohol and cigarettes.
Now, I am not and DO NOT claim to be ANY example of piety. I would have been a disappointment to Cobb and Stonewall. However, a man takes care of his obligations.

We still have guys that carry a flaming sword. Several years ago, I knew two guys that were D Company commanders that renamed their companies from the "Demons" or "Diablos" to that of the "Disciples" or "Deacons."...and yes, one of them attempted to name the twelve line platoon tanks after the disciples. There were guys actually arguing over who would get Judas rather than Peter. Fire, brimestone, fangs, pitchforks, horns, and pointy tails is a lot more intimidating than loaves and fishes when your going into battle.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army