On another occasion a particularly nuggety patient had broken the rules, and becoming troublesome was ordered back to his ward. Refusing to go, the guard was sent for, and a fight of a desperate character ensued before he was overpowered; yet we found accidentally that later on this man was made a N.C.O. and apparently gave satisfaction.
In other armies such an offence might have been punished with death.
On reading the account of the life of Stonewall Jackson it is clear that similar difficulties were experienced with the Confederate soldiers, and that Jackson against his inclination was compelled to enforce grave penalties at times to prevent still graver trouble.
It takes several men on the lines of communication and at the base to keep one man at the front, and only loyal obedience to orders during the wearisome and exacting day's work on the lines of communication will make the machine run smoothly, and do justice to the man in the line of battle who is risking his life.
Yet it seems to us there is much to be done by attention to the soldiers' social wants. The work of the Y.M.C.A. and the provision of soldiers' clubs were powerful influences in favour of good order and conduct.
CHAPTER VI
EVACUATION OF THE UNFIT—RELIEVING THE PRESSURE ON THE HOSPITALS AND CONVALESCENT DEPOTS—BACK TO DUTY OR AUSTRALIA—METHODS ADOPTED—TRANSPORT OF INVALIDS BY SEA AND TRAIN.