Table Of ContentARMY HISTORY
The Professional Bulletin of Army History
Winter 2007 PB 20-06-1 (No. 63) Washington, D.C.
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from online version.
In This Issue
4 Henry Ware Lawton
Flawed Giant and Hero of Four Wars
By Steven L. Ossad
26 Battling Segregation and the Nazis
The Origins and Combat History of CCR Rifle
Company, 14th Armored Division
By James R. Lankford
2 News Notes 3 Chief’s Corner 41 Book Reviews
N N
ews otes
New Leaders Appointed at the
Center of Military History
Dr. Jeffrey J. Clarke, who had served as chief historian
at the Center of Military History since 1990, became the
director of the Center and chief of military history in May
2006, succeeding retired Brig. Gen. John S. Brown. A na-
tive of New Jersey, Dr. Clarke holds a bachelor’s degree in
history from Gettysburg College and master’s and doctoral
degrees in that discipline from Duke University. A reserve
infantry officer, he served on active duty in 1968–70 and
commanded the 17th Military History Detachment in
By Order of the Secretary of the Army: Vietnam, where it was attached to the 1st Infantry Divi-
sion. He retired from the military as a reserve lieutenant
PETER J. SCHOOMAKER colonel in 1994.
General, United States Army After teaching for a year at Rutgers University, Dr.
Chief of Staff Clarke became a civilian historian in the Center’s Histories
Division in 1971. He there authored Advice and Support:
Official: The Final Years (CMH, 1988), a volume in the U.S. Army
in Vietnam series that covers the U.S. military advisory ef-
fort in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. He then completed the
manuscript initiated by Robert Ross Smith on the U.S. 6th
JOYCE E. MORROW Army Group’s drive from southern France to the Rhine in
Administrative Assistant to the World War II. In 1993 the Center published Rivera to the
Secretary of the Army Rhine by Clarke and Smith in its series on the U.S. Army
in World War II. Dr. Clarke also authored the pamphlet
Chief of Military History on the Southern France campaign in the Center’s series of
Dr. Jeffrey J. Clarke World War II commemorative brochures.
Dr. Clarke became chief of the Center’s Operational
Managing Editor History Branch in 1987 and served as acting chief of the
Dr. Charles Hendricks Histories Division in 1989, before becoming chief histo-
rian. He also taught for nearly twenty years as an adjunct
The U.S. Army Center of Military History publishes associate professor at the University of Maryland campuses
Army History (ISSN 1546-5330) for the professional at College Park and Baltimore County and in 1977 was a
development of Army historians. Correspondence should visiting faculty member at the U.S. Army Command and
be addressed to Managing Editor, Army History, U.S. General Staff College.
Army Center of Military History, 103 Third Ave., Fort Col. John J. Spinelli reported to the Center of Military
Lesley J. McNair, D.C. 20319–5058, or sent by e-mail to History in July 2006 as its deputy director. He succeeded
[email protected]. The opinions expressed Col. Donald W. Warner, who had retired in April. An
in this publication are those of the authors, not the Depart- engineer officer, Colonel Spinelli holds bachelor’s and
ment of Defense or its constituent elements. Army History’s master’s degrees in industrial engineering and engineering
contents do not necessarily reflect official Army positions administration from Penn State University. He has served
and do not supersede information in other official Army overseas in Germany, Honduras, and Japan and with engi-
publications or Army regulations. This bulletin is approved neer battalions at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Benning,
for official dissemination of material designed to keep indi- Georgia. In the past decade he has addressed issues of
viduals within the Army knowledgeable of developments policy and strategy while holding positions in Headquar-
in Army history and thereby enhance their professional ters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the offices of the
development. The reproduction of images that were not Army’s deputy chief of staff for operations and plans and
obtained from federal sources is prohibited. The Depart- the chief of staff of the Army.
ment of the Army approved the use of funds for printing Dr. Richard W. Stewart succeeded Dr. Clarke as the
this publication on 7 September 1983. Center’s chief historian in September 2006. Dr. Stewart
received his bachelor’s degree in history from Stetson
University in Florida in 1972 and was commissioned
Cover Illustration: Henry Ware Lawton by Charles Harold as an Army Reserve military intelligence officer. He
MacDonald/Army-Navy Club received a master’s degree in history from the Univer-
continued on page 60
Army History Winter 2007
The Chief’s Corner
Dr. Jeffrey J. Clarke
As almost the sole member by Col. Rob Dalessandro’s Carlisle crew. Once again, our
of the Center’s command group ability to do so much with so little has surprised all.
for much of the past fiscal year, For the Center, the immediate future is clear. Our first
I want to acknowledge the task, putting our new leadership team in place, is almost
great debt of gratitude I owe to complete. The Center’s new deputy director, Col. John
the outstanding professionals Spinelli, arrived in early July; our new chief historian,
inside the Center and within Dr. Richard Stewart, in September; the new assistant
the larger Army history and chief of military history, Dr. John Shortal, a retired Army
museum communities for their brigadier general, in early October; and our new executive
hard work and great support. Special thanks certainly go to officer, Maj. James McDonnell later that month. We have
those Center division and branch chiefs—many serving in also added several other valuable new staff members and
an “acting” capacity during this hectic period—who have some key, new branch chiefs. Our second task—filling in
done some amazing work to keep our programs in full the many administrative holes that I personally have dug
bloom during the Center’s leadership transition. This united since my predecessor, General John Brown, departed last
effort has kept our publication program on track, addressed October—is also well in hand, a challenge that John Spi-
our budgetary and personnel challenges, kept pace with the nelli has been tackling relentlessly since his arrival. The
growing unit designation and award demands produced by final task that I have set for myself and my fellow history
the Army’s modularity reorganization and two ongoing and museum professionals is to devise a new strategic plan
wars, and secured funding for the extremely important both for the Center and the overall Army history program.
FORSCOM war-fighter museums. Equally gratifying has Here I see us shaping something that will emphasize spe-
been the splendid progress of our field history and museum cific actions and objectives over platitudes, setting out
programs, which have not simply carried on but have truly some markers that can guide us at least through the next
thrived under some very able thinkers and doers. To men- three years. In this effort, the Military History Coordinat-
tion only a few, I must commend the superb publication ing Committee will have a key role. However, I will also
programs of Col. Tim Reese’s Combat Studies Institute and be looking for your support and assistance—in the form
Dr. Chuck Briscoe’s Army Special Operations Command of good ideas—as we craft these plans during the winter
history office; everyone who contributed to last June’s great months and into the spring. At the same time, I ask that
Army museum system training course in Salt Lake City you continue your excellent work in everything that you do.
and the equally successful history symposium on security You should know that I am reminded on a daily basis how
assistance held at Fort Leavenworth in August; and all of much your work is appreciated by both our senior Army
the wonderful archival and museum work accomplished leaders and by our soldiers throughout the force.
The Chief Historian’s Footnote
Dr. Richard W. Stewart
Having been a member of Maurice Matloff, David Trask, and Jeffrey Clarke. Their
the Army history community contributions to Army history since 1946 are now almost
since 1987, and in the Army the stuff of legends, and I can only hope to do my best to
and Army Reserve for fifteen live up to their examples.
years before that, I hope that I The Army’s historical program today faces many
need no elaborate introduction challenges, both in terms of changes in managing the
to all of you. (A multivolume career field and coming to terms with what path we are
biography with photographs is on in support of the current Global War on Terrorism
available on demand.) Having (GWOT). Administratively, we all confront the new and
said that, I do want to take a moment and use this first chief unsettling challenges of a completely new personnel
historian’s column to share with you my sense of where the system, the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).
Army historical community is, where we are going, and Change is never easy, and much about the new system is
how I hope to contribute to guiding our future growth. foreign to the grade and step progression with which we
First, let me tell you how pleased and proud, and at the are all familiar. There will be changes in performance
same time humble, I am to have been selected as the sixth plans, pay bands, job descriptions, pay pools, and other
chief historian. I cannot help but feel such mixed emotions aspects that will inevitably affect our daily lives. How-
as I look at the pictures in the hallway near my office of ever, I urge each of you to roll with this change and not
such past chief historians as Kent Greenfield, Stetson Conn, let the new and unfamiliar terminology throw you. Those
continued on page 57
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“I must see what is going on at the firing line.”1
Maj. Gen. Henry Ware Lawton, December 1899
Army History Winter 2007
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Flawed Giant and Hero of Four Wars
By Steven L. Ossad
Seemingly oblivious to the sniper soldiers rushing into San Mateo could Mackenzie, George Crook, Nelson
rounds clipping the blades of grass at be heard over a heavy tropical rain- Miles, and Leonard Wood— Henry
his feet, the general walked through storm and final rifle volleys. Lawton Lawton has never been the subject
the rain on 19 December 1899 along was the only American to die in what of a serious biography or a focused
the firing line in front of San Mateo proved to be a skirmish of limited consideration of his military service.
in the Philippines, only 300 yards significance.2 Apart from the sheer drama and excite-
from the enemy riflemen in the town. When he fell a century ago, Maj. ment of his life, however, Lawton’s
Wearing a long, yellow rain slicker Gen. Henry Ware Lawton was one of story remains compelling for broader
and the large white pith helmet that the most celebrated military heroes reasons, because in many ways it
had become his trademark since Cuba, of his time. His exploits in four con- echoes and mirrors the history of the
the 6-foot 3-inch tall, solidly built man flicts—the Civil War, Indian Wars, U.S. Army during the last forty years
was an obvious target. His officers and Spanish-American War, and Philip- of the nineteenth century.
men shouted warnings, but the com- pine War—spanning four decades,
mander shrugged off their concern. He read like fantastic adventure stories.
“Boy Hero” of the Civil War
was accustomed to such alarms but Lawton was a favorite of contem-
never gave them heed, responding, “I porary journalists and was closely Henry Ware Lawton was born on
must see what is going on at the firing covered by the “mass media” newspa- 17 March 1843 near Toledo, Ohio, to
line.” His indifference to danger was pers, as well as Harper’s, McClure’s, George W. Lawton, a millwright, and
buttressed by experience; in almost Leslie’s, and other illustrated journals Catherine (Daley) Lawton. Unsettled
forty years of active service, Henry hungry for larger-than-life, pictur- in his youth as his father frequently
Lawton had never so much as been esque figures.3 moved to pursue work, Henry was
scratched in battle. Lawton looked the part. In ad- raised, after the death of his mother,
As the firing intensified, 2d Lt. dition to his imposing height and by Mrs. E. D. Moore. He eventually
Ethelbert L. D. Breckinridge, a young weight, he was striking in appearance, reunited with his father and settled
staff officer who had served with the possessing a forehead that was “high in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1858
general as a volunteer at El Caney and narrow, his cheek bones promi- Henry enrolled at Fort Wayne Col-
near Santiago, Cuba, fell wounded nent, his jaw square, his lips thin, his lege, a local Methodist institution.
nearby. (The lieutenant was the son eyes gray, and his hair stood up like Just four days after the attack on Fort
of Lawton’s friend and peacetime bristles.”4 Even critics acknowledge Sumter on 12 April 1861, he left his
department chief, Brig. Gen. Joseph the appealing virtues that contributed books and signed up for service in
C. Breckinridge, the Army’s inspec- to his legendary stature.5 The flowery Company E of the 9th Indiana Vol-
tor general.) Lawton helped carry the word portraits of his admirers were unteer Infantry Regiment, a 90-day
lieutenant back to a sheltered loca- supplemented by idealized visual unit. He was quickly chosen the com-
tion, assured that the injured soldier images. 6 Frederic Remington, whose pany’s first sergeant. Lawton served
was tended, and then returned to the first assignment for Harper’s was with this unit in western Virginia
open to observe the progress of the the pictorial portrayal of the Apache and participated on 13 July 1861 in
fight. Suddenly, Lawton clenched his Campaign, made Lawton a subject the skirmish at Carrick’s Ford on the
teeth tightly, clutched his chest, and throughout his career—sketching Cheat River near Parsons, an action
murmured, “I am shot,” falling into Captain Lawton on Geronimo’s trail that cost the life of Confederate Brig.
the arms of his aide-de-camp, Capt. in 1886, as well as the victorious Gen. Robert S. Garnett, commander
Edward L. King. A few minutes later General Lawton at El Caney, more of the Confederate Department of
he died. Lawton’s men set him down than a decade later.7 Northwestern Virginia, the first gen-
gently in a clump of bushes and cov- Although hailed for his victories eral officer to fall in the war. This
ered his face with his helmet. About and personal style, unlike some equal- action also netted for the Union most
an hour later the cheers of American ly colorful contemporaries—Ranald of the supplies that Garnett’s fleeing
forces had been carrying. Even at discouraged by the death of their promoted to captain (17 May 1862),
this early stage of the war, “Long commander, General Albert Sydney and he took command of Company A
Hank” Lawton was conspicuous in Johnston, to withdraw. According to when Capt. George W. Fitzsimmons
battle—not for his size alone—but McCook’s report, his two brigades was promoted to major. The 30th
because of his eagerness to seize the withstood an attack on 7 April by Indiana (Col. Joseph B. Dodge) was
initiative. Lawton soon mustered out some 10,000 Confederates along the now assigned to the Second Brigade
of the unit, but on 20 August 1861 he Corinth and Pittsburg Road in the (under now–Brig. Gen. Edward N.
was commissioned a first lieutenant center of the field and then charged Kirk), Second Division (Brig. Gen.
in the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry the Confederate lines, causing their Richard W. Johnson), Right Wing
Regiment.8 defenders to flee.9 (General McCook), Fourteenth Army
It soon became clear to the young The regiment’s returns reported Corps (Maj. Gen. William S. Rose-
officer and those around him that that the 30th Indiana lost at Shiloh crans). Johnson’s division absorbed
Lawton had found his true vocation. 12 enlisted men killed, 6 officers the brunt of Confederate General
In nearly four years of service in the and 109 enlisted men wounded, and Braxton Bragg’s initial attack against
Western Theater, Lawton was under 2 enlisted men captured. A broader the Union right at Stone’s River, and
fire repeatedly, fighting in numerous compilation of casualties sustained at over the course of the day the division
skirmishes and more than twenty Shiloh by the Army of the Ohio shows was driven back almost to the Nash-
major engagements, including such that the losses suffered by Lawton’s ville Pike, the critical Union supply
critical battles as Shiloh, Stone’s regiment were the third highest of line. Stiffened by the determined
River, Chickamauga, Franklin, and the 28 regiments of that army that stand of the Third Division (Brig.
Nashville. During these engage- were engaged in the battle. The ul- Gen. Philip H. Sheridan), the Union
ments, Lawton observed at close hand timate loss of command personnel troops held this line until 2 January
examples of inspiring leadership as in Kirk’s brigade was even greater 1863, when a Union victory on its
well as monumental folly, moments than these reports suggest. Two of left induced the Confederates to cede
of what could only be described as Kirk’s four regimental commanders the field.11
blind luck and instances of seem- died of their wounds. Maj. Charles Once again, the price paid by
ingly futile bravery that altered the H. Levanway, commanding the 34th commanding officers was high. Gen-
outcome of battle. On these bloody Illinois in Kirk’s absence, was mor- eral Kirk was wounded soon after the
fields, his views of regimental combat tally wounded by a shell and died start of the battle, thrusting Colonel
were formed, including his signature on the battlefield. Colonel Bass of Dodge, who had been promoted to
style of personal command marked by the 30th Indiana, who was wounded colonel and assumed command of
stubborn resolve no matter what the twice in the battle, died later of his the 30th Indiana after the death of
circumstances and apparent indiffer- injuries. Kirk was also wounded. Colonel Bass, into command of the
ence to mortal danger. Since Lawton West Point–educated General Mc- Second Brigade of Johnson’s divi-
essentially went from the command Cook, who would become the high- sion. All three of General Sheridan’s
of a depleted regiment at the end of est ranking member of the “Fighting brigade commanders were killed
the war to the command of a divi- McCooks” of Ohio, took note of the in the battle, including Brig. Gen.
sion decades later with no interven- heroism of the men under his com- Joshua W. Sill, for whom Fort Sill
ing formal training in the leadership mand. Not given to idle compliments, would be named. 12
of large formations, his Civil War McCook called Bass’s wounds “the Dodge reported that on 31 De-
experiences and views are crucial to best evidence of his bearing & brav- cember his brigade checked the
understanding his later conduct of ery.” 10 In this first bloody battle in advancing enemy from a fence on
combat operations in both Cuba and the West, Lawton experienced the elevated ground until outflanked on
the Philippines. desperate fury of battle, observing its right. The 30th Indiana, now led
Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing (6–7 how quickly one’s fortunes could by Lt. Col. Orrin D. Hurd and Major
April 1862), was the first major battle reverse, learning the importance of Fitzsimmons, was in the heart of the
in which 19-year-old Lieutenant steadfast determination in the face of cauldron where those two officers,
Lawton served. His green regiment, a strong attack, and finally savoring “needlessly, almost, exposed them-
the 30th Indiana (Col. Sion S. Bass), the ultimate joy of triumph at Shiloh. selves, and were untiring in their
was assigned to Fifth Brigade (Col. His experience must have also con- efforts to stop the progress of what
Edward N. Kirk), Second Division tributed to his belief that that he was seemed a victorious enemy.”13 Colo-
(Brig. Gen. Alexander McCook), under some kind of divine protection, nel Hurd’s report painted a picture of
Army of the Ohio (Maj. Gen. Don as men and officers around him fell desperate struggle with the specter of
Carlos Buell). The arrival of General dead and wounded while he escaped defeat and destruction hovering over
Buell’s men early on the morning even the smallest wound. the regiment. He emphasized that the
of 7 April 1862 allowed Maj. Gen. Lawton’s next major engagement men of the 30th Indiana “would have
Ulysses Grant to recover the field was at Stone’s River outside Mur- been cut to pieces or taken prisoners
that he had yielded the day before freesboro, Tennessee, on 31 Decem- by the enemy” had they not moved
and to force the Confederates, already ber 1862. After Shiloh he had been back and to the right early on the
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Battle of Chickamauga by James Walker
morning of 31 December, and both the 30th Indiana at Chickamauga by this time for Lawton passed into
his and Dodge’s reports indicated that formed part of the Second Brigade personal conviction.
the 30th Indiana became disorganized (Colonel Dodge), Second Division Lawton’s peak moment in war
while retreating.14 During this furious (General Johnson), Twentieth Corps came on 3 August 1864, during the
struggle Lawton displayed the kind (General McCook), Army of the campaign outside Atlanta, when he
of cool courage and indifference to Cumberland (General Rosecrans). led skirmishers from Company A
mortal danger that became his hall- When committed to the battle, Dodge against front-line enemy rifle pits,
mark. Walking slowly and upright, ordered his brigade to charge. It drove seized a trench filled with rebel
he sought neither cover nor shelter the enemy back almost a mile, in the sharpshooters, and then “stubbornly
from the intense enemy fire, while all process exposing its right flank. The and successfully” held it against two
around him men fell.15 The casualty enemy counterattacked after dark fierce counterattacks. For these ac-
toll was enormous. Major Fitzsim- and, according to Colonel Hurd, tions Lawton was in 1893 awarded
mons was captured by the enemy “captured quite a number of men the Medal of Honor. In late Septem-
and the regiment lost 31 killed, 110 and officers” of the 30th. Overall, the ber 1864 Lawton became the senior
wounded, and 72 captured or miss- regiment lost 10 killed, 55 wounded, officer in his regiment, when all of its
ing, or nearly 44 percent of the 488 and 61 missing or captured, which officers and men, except those who
officers and men engaged.16 Hurd said was a higher proportion had reenlisted, were mustered out.
While the 30th Indiana’s role at of losses than experienced at Shiloh Indiana sent new recruits and con-
Stone’s River was much less glorious or Stone’s River, as by late 1863 the scripts to man the regiment in mid-
and far costlier than its experience regiment had less than half as many November 1864, but the regiment
at Shiloh, the survivors, including men engaged in the battle. Even Colo- remained well below its authorized
Lawton, had learned crucial lessons. nel Dodge was taken prisoner, but he strength. Lawton would command
Perhaps most important was the im- managed to escape.17 the regiment as a captain until his
portance of buying time through a Once more, Lawton was witness promotion to lieutenant colonel was
determined though ultimately futile to a bloody, seesaw battle, this time approved in February 1865.18
defense of a crucial position even ending in defeat. But for the stand Lawton won the favorable at-
under overwhelming pressure. Such of Maj. Gen. George Thomas, “The tention of his brigade commander,
a stand at Stone’s River, although it Rock of Chickamauga,” Rosecrans’s Brig. Gen. William Grose during the
ended in chaos and panicked retreat, whole army might have been de- battle at Franklin, Tennessee, on 30
altered the ultimate outcome of an im- stroyed. Thomas Dodge’s aggressive- November 1864, in which an outnum-
portant battle. For Lawton personally, ness and persistence had, in this case, bered Union force led by Maj. Gen.
his growing conviction that he was led to vulnerability and retreat, de- John Schofield held off the attacking
indestructible must have been greatly spite apparent initial success. While Confederate army of General John
enhanced as he watched the flow of the casualties suffered by Lawton’s Bell Hood. General Grose wrote in
dead and wounded colleagues and regiment were proportionately very his after-action report, “The Thirtieth
counted the cost of the battle. heavy, Lawton still escaped un- Indiana, most of them new recruits,
Nine months later Lawton found harmed. Seemingly, the more desper- under Captain Lawton, commanding
himself engaged at Chickamauga, the ate the situation and the more bravery the regiment, stood by the colors to
only clear-cut Confederate victory he displayed, the better his chances the man and fought well.” Lawton’s
among the critical battles in which his of escaping death or injury. The oft- own report that day testifies to the
regiment participated. Fighting under reported sense of indestructibility felt intensity of the combat and suggests
the same leaders as at Stone’s River, by young men on the battlefield had his steady demeanor in the midst of
the bedlam. Lawton coolly refrained dominant influence on Lawton’s
from responding to a charge made by s first decade and a half of Regular
e
v
the enemy toward his lines until the hi Army service. First in his class at
c
Union skirmishers in front of him had Ar West Point in 1862 and a Civil War
reached the cover of his hastily erected nal hero, Mackenzie was an easily irri-
o
works. Only then did he order his men ati tated, tireless worker indifferent to
N
to open fire on the attackers. Although his own comfort, as well as a severe
most of his men had not yet become disciplinarian.23 Marked early for
familiar with their weapons, Lawton high command despite his youth, he
reported that his unit’s fire, combined was viewed by General Grant at the
with oblique fire from the 9th Indiana end of the Civil War as “the most
Volunteer Infantry Regiment to his promising officer in the army.”24
right, soon compelled those attacking Called “Bad Hand” and “Three
his lines to retire in disorder.19 Fingers” by his enemies because
Two weeks later at the battle of of the two fingers that had been
Nashville (15–16 December 1864), amputated from his right hand after
Grose again cited the regiment, writ- he was wounded during the fight
ing that Lawton and his “officers and at Jerusalem Plank Road south of
men, have my grateful thanks for Petersburg, Virginia, in June 1864,
their willing obedience to orders, General Grose Mackenzie had become a volunteer
their brave and efficient execution brigadier general in October 1864
of every duty upon the battlefield ley M. Ninde to “read law,” and in the and commanded a cavalry division
and during the campaign.” In March summer of 1866 enrolled at Harvard at Appomattox. Mackenzie would
1865 Lawton received the brevet Law School. About that time, Lawton subsequently earn a formidable rep-
rank of colonel “for gallant and meri- was appointed an original second utation as an Indian fighter. Lawton
torious services.” After the surrender lieutenant in the 41st Infantry, one admired and respected Mackenzie
of the Confederate armies, Lawton of four infantry regiments created greatly, a feeling that was entirely
and his regiment were assigned to by Congress in July 1866 for African mutual. Mackenzie came to regard
occupation duty in Texas, before American enlisted personnel. Lawton his subordinate as “one of the very
being mustered out in November completed an academic year before ablest officer[s] in the Army, and
1865. Henry Lawton was then just traveling to New York City to appear by far the ablest who has ever
twenty-two years old. Except for a before a board examining officers served under my command.” The
brief assignment as a brigade inspec- appointed in the infantry. He passed two men served together almost
tor in 1864, Lawton had served in their test, accepted his commission continuously until 1883, by which
the line for four years and had never on 4 May 1867, and left Harvard in time Mackenzie was a brigadier
been wounded. He had undergone good standing.21 general.25
the most intense on-the-job train- Col. Ranald Slidell Mackenzie
ing imaginable for a company-and (1840–89), one of the most colorful
field-grade officer. In many ways, and interesting soldiers in the history Colonel Mackenzie
the lessons learned on the fields of of the U.S. Army, became the com-
the Western Theater would serve him mander of the 41st Infantry on 25
well, but they would ultimately cost May 1867, after Civil War volunteer
him his life and may have led him to Maj. Gen. Robert Potter declined
make decisions in combat that would the position. The decisions of nine
cost the lives of others who served other men to decline lieutenancies
under his command.20 in the regiment allowed Lawton to
With the recommendation of be promoted to first lieutenant in
General Grose, Maj. Gen. David July 1867. Lawton served with the
Stanley, and Bvt. Maj. Gen. Nathan 41st along the Rio Grande in Texas
Kimball, under each of whom Lawton until it was consolidated in 1869
had served during the Civil War, and with another regiment with African
with the support of Conrad Baker, the American enlisted personnel to form
acting governor of Indiana, Lawton the 24th Infantry, which Mackenzie
sought a commission in the Regular also commanded. Mackenzie named
Army upon his return to civil life. Lawton regimental quartermaster of
s
Concerned, however, that the limited the 41st in June 1868 and Lawton as- orp
size of the postwar Army might leave sumed that position in the 24th when al C
him without that option, he entered he transferred into that unit.22 gn
Si
the Fort Wayne office of Judge Lind- Colonel Mackenzie was the
Army History Winter 2007
Two Decades on the Frontier The troopers retrieved military equip-
ment bearing 7th Cavalry markings.
After serving for nearly a decade Crippled by this blow, the warring
in the infantry, Lawton on 1 January Indians returned in the spring to their
1871 transferred to the 4th Cavalry at reservations in western Nebraska,
the request of Mackenzie, who had be- ending the Great Sioux War.26
come the regiment’s commander the With the exception of the period
previous month. In May 1872 Mack- from March 1875 through August
enzie appointed Lawton regimental 1876, Lawton served as quartermaster
quartermaster. This position gave the of the 4th Cavalry from May 1872
young officer important responsibili- until March 1879, when he became a
ties for provisioning a unit engaged Signal captain and assumed command of the
in repeated campaigns against elusive Cor regiment’s Company B. Mackenzie’s
bands of Indian warriors that threat- ps high regard for the one-time Harvard
ened the Western frontier. In 1873 law student was continually rein-
and 1878 Mackenzie’s pursuit of forced by Lawton’s proven ability
hostile Indians led him across to keep the regiment’s columns
the international border into supplied and moving, no mat-
Mexico. On the first occasion, ter what the circumstances or
Mackenzie’s mixed force of natural impediments. As one
black infantry, white cav- fellow officer noted, Lawton
alry, and Seminole Negro had “exceptional ability as
Indian scouts successfully a quartermaster, both in
attacked the Kickapoo In- construction work in a post,
dian village of Remolino, and in the field, where his
forty miles from the Rio knowledge, practical com-
Grande. This action ended mon sense and resourceful
Kickapoo raids into Texas. makeshifts made him espe-
In 1874 Mackenzie led one cially valuable to a man of
of five columns the Army sent Mackenzie’s peculiar tempera-
against some 1,200 Cheyenne, ment and demands.” Quarter-
Comanche, and Kiowa warriors master duty was also known to
who had sought refuge in the offer financial temptations that
rugged Staked Plains of the Texas could easily lead to corruption. On
panhandle after clashing with troops that issue, Mackenzie was unequivo-
in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). cal, writing that he did “not believe
Lawton’s gritty success in keep- that he has ever made dishonestly one
ing Mackenzie’s troopers supplied cent.”27 Lawton held Mackenzie in
through a series of cold September Captain Henry Lawton, c. 1880 extremely high regard as well. Many
storms as they scoured the headwaters years later, when he faced battlefield
of the Red River allowed his com- difficulties in the Spanish-American
mander to surprise a large Indian War, he would ask rhetorically,
encampment in Palo Duro Canyon “What would Mackenzie do in this
late that month. Mackenzie’s col- situation?” 28
umn burned the Indians’ lodges and Fellow officers and ordinary
supplies and captured their herd of troopers respected Lawton. Some
1,424 ponies. In the autumn of 1876, fifty years after their first encoun-
Mackenzie joined an expedition led ter—and twenty years after Lawton’s
by Brig. Gen. George Crook against death—retired Capt. Robert G. Cart-
Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in the er, a Civil War veteran, West Point
Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, graduate (1870), Medal of Honor
near where they had overrun five recipient, and erstwhile 4th Cavalry
companies of the 7th Cavalry led by lieutenant recalled with great im-
Lt. Col. George Custer that summer. mediacy the powerful impression
Mackenzie and eleven companies of Lawton inspired. All the companies
four cavalry regiments discovered, of the regiment gathered in mid-July
assaulted, and destroyed an encamp- 1871, the first time the whole unit
ment of 200 lodges of Dull Knife’s assembled since the end of the Civil
and Little Wolf’s Northern Cheyenne. War, to ride against the Comanche
and Kiowa in the Texas Badlands. promoted to the permanent rank of beyond reasonable limits and nearly
As they readied themselves for the captain. The grinding routine and ended his career on more than one
pursuit of Chief Kicking Bird, the loneliness of service bore down occasion.33
officers got a chance to meet Macken- heavily on Lawton, who, despite
zie and his trusted subaltern. Lawton several unsuccessful courtships,
The Epic Pursuit and Capture
was “rather restless, quick spoken, remained single until he became
of Geronimo
energetic in his movements, and full a captain. Finally, at the age of
of life and fire; in fact, what could thirty-eight, Lawton on 6 Decem- After more than a decade and
be better expressed as—‘a live wire, ber 1881 married Mary (Mamie) a half of obscure service and slow
and hard as nails.’ ” But there was Craig (1855–1934) of Louisville, advancement, Lawton’s great oppor-
another, more reserved and hidden Kentucky. Among the children she tunity was approaching. In late 1884
side to Lawton, and Carter noted bore him, three daughters (Fran- Troop B (cavalry companies had been
that as well, observing “He seemed, ces, Catherine, and Louise) and a redesignated as troops in 1883) was
at first glance, diffident, retiring, and son (Manley) survived infancy.31 ordered to Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
rather reserved or reticent in man- Otherwise, the only break in the to join the fight against the Chiricahua
ner; a little stiff, upon first acquain- monotony came from the fairly Apaches, among the fiercest of all the
tance.” Of course, Lawton also had relaxed off-duty life on the post, frontier tribes and one of the Army’s
his critics and competitors; Carter which helped ease the tensions bred most successful adversaries. Their
overheard one jealous, high-ranking by periods of danger paced by bore- medicine man Goyathlay (One Who
West Pointer remark that “He [Law- dom. Somewhat free of the restric- Yawns), better known by his Spanish
ton] was a mere ‘rough-neck’ wagon tions and conventions of normal name, Geronimo (1827–1909), had
master.”29 society, soldiers on the frontier did been leading the cavalry on a series
Personality aside, Lawton was not as strictly observe the barriers of of frustrating chases for years. Al-
known as someone who could cut class and race that elsewhere typi- ternately fleeing to Mexico, raiding
through red tape and get things done. cally governed both the Army and the territories of Arizona and New
These characteristics would prove society in general. Officers and men Mexico, surrendering, and escaping,
invaluable during Lawton’s many mixed relatively easily. Lawton’s Geronimo had continually outma-
years of hard duty on the frontier, in service with African American neuvered, evaded, and embarrassed
which the 4th Cavalry endured long, troops had moderated, but decid- his long-time nemesis, the celebrated
arduous pursuits and scouting mis- edly not erased, a generally benign, Indian fighter General Crook. By late
sions, endless tracking, ‘hit and run’ but commonly shared racism. Lt. March 1886, however, it appeared
tactics, savage fighting punctuated by Henry Flipper, who in 1877 became that the elusive Apache warrior and
atrocities on both sides, and opera- the first African American to gradu- his small band would finally return
tions conducted from far-flung posts ate from West Point and later served to Arizona and submit to two years
often isolated from traditional supply with Lawton at Fort Elliott, Texas, of imprisonment. After agreeing to
lines. It was grim and brutalizing wrote of his “great admiration” come quietly, however, Geronimo
duty, and the tribes rarely discrimi- for the veteran, noting that he had escaped yet again. Crook was finished.
nated among the soldiers confronting helped ease his transition to life in On 12 April 1886 Brig. Gen. Nelson
them. More than one observer noted the West and that they had shared a A. Miles relieved him as commander
that immediately after battle Lawton night of comradely drinking. Flip- of the Department of Arizona with
seemed to harbor no animosity to- per was naïve and probably put at orders from General Sheridan, now
ward the enemy. In the relocation of ease by the alcohol. Describing to the Army’s commanding general, to
the defeated Northern Cheyenne in a friend an encounter with Flipper capture or kill the fugitive.34
1877, for example, Lawton allowed a few years later, after the younger Miles, a thrice-wounded Civil
the old and sick to ride in wagons officer had been dismissed from the War veteran whose heroism at Chan-
and made sure they had shelter. This Army, Lawton could write that he cellorsville would bring him a Medal
inspired one former enemy to say, had been “glad to see even a darkey of Honor, was Crook’s rival as the
he “was a good man, always kind to whom I had known before.”32 Army’s most effective Indian fighter.
the Indians.” On that tragic journey Not all of Lawton’s drinking Known as “Old Bear Coat” because of
they called him “Tall White Man.”30 could be so genially described, the flamboyant fur-trimmed overcoat
Lawton, absolutely fearless and hard however, and he gained a reputa- he wore on campaign, Miles was well
in battle, was a man of good will as tion as volatile and occasionally connected politically, having married
soon as the guns fell silent. violent when drunk. In one episode, the niece of Senator John Sherman
Despite his record and the high Lawton assaulted an enlisted man and General William T. Sherman.
regard in which he was held by his and avoided disciplinary action only Nevertheless, Miles seemed to be
superiors, Lawton had to complete because Mackenzie could not afford perpetually in the middle of a contro-
nearly a dozen years of Regular Army to lose him. While not uncommon versy. He was an officer who openly
service, and wait eighteen years after on the lonely posts of the frontier, hungered for promotion and whose
first donning a uniform, before he was Lawton’s drinking clearly went ambitions very likely reached as high
0 Army History Winter 2007
Description:in Vietnam series that covers the U.S. military advisory ef- fort in Vietnam from
1965 The Army's historical program today faces many challenges, both in
terms
