Mr. MoFed, my guess is that Dick Garnett would have died before dishonoring himself in such a way, as he proved by doing his duty that fatal day at Gettysburg, if the movie--all I know about him--is accurate in that regard.

I think the proclivity of modern folks to entertain conspiracy theories, in which our formerly somewhat trusted authority figures, be they govt or military, is chief culprit, is a modern affliction. And not what men of honor and duty on either side would've given a moment's credence to back in the WBTS days.

Sorry, it's tempting to consider such ideas, but I would say: please don't give Oliver Stone any more wacky ideas. He seems to be churning them out quite adequately, all by himself.

When you had major conflicts between people, they tended to get the job done forthrightly, a la code duello, or like Jefferson C. Davis and Nelson and George Baylor and Maj Gen whatshisname, CSA, who is now located in the Austin Cemetery, whose name escapes me right now.

No, men of honor didn't pussyfoot around like this conspiracy theory suggests. And like it's been said, front line combat conditions at night didn't need any outside help.