Tough Men...

[St. George]

If you watched 'Gettysburg' - you saw Chamberlain give the order 'BAYONETS!!!

If you saw 'We Were Soldiers' - you saw Hal Moore give a similar one - 'Fix Bay'nets!

However - there was a historical precedent you may or may not be aware of - that of Jeff Davis at Buena Vista, Mexico on February 23, 1847.

This is the caption of the Mississippi Rifles' painting in the 'National Guard Heritage Series'.

"Fighting in the open on a dusty mountainside in a foreign land a thousand miles from home, facing an enemy many times its own strength, the Mississippi Rifles, commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis, displayed a rock-like defense against a Mexican attack in response to the command, "Stand Fast, Mississippians!"

Earlier, the battle had reached a critical stage when the Rifles (in the action depicted) were ordered to attack Mexican cavalry and infantry advancing on the Americans.

The "hard-fighting Mississippi gentlemen" moved up, fired, then drew Bowie knives and closed in.

The Rifles--the 155th Infantry of the modern Mississippi Army National Guard--thus wrote another chapter in the proud National Guard tradition."

Give some thought to the kind of soldier who could do that - and say a prayer for all Infantrymen - everywere...

Vaya (and AIRBORNE!)

Scouts Out!

[Forty Rod]

I never heard that story before.  Those lads were hard to the core.  What was the outcome?

[Silver Creek Slim]

Thanks for sharing that, pard.

Slim

[St. George]

They carried the day...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Trailrider]

IIRC, the last bayonet charge by U.S. Army troops was in the Korean War.  I believe the lieutenant or captain (then) recently passed "over the rainbow." 

[Forty Rod]

They carried the day...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

I'd have bet on it, but wanted to hear it anyway.

Thanks.