Lieutenant Cross had differing reactions to the men under his command who were killed. What do you think about his reactions to these events?

Lieutenant Cross had differing reactions to the men under his command who were killed. Do you think his distraction over Martha contributed to the death of Lavender? How about his decision on the location of camp the night Kiowa was killed? What do you think about his reactions to these events?

The lieutenant is a young man, not yet seasoned to see the troops as necessary tools for the war. It would be difficult to send men you care about into a dangerous situation. It would be easier if you could not care about them...but he is still human at this point,

I thought it was interesting that when Lavender was killed, he was very affected by it, even though there was absolutely nothing he could have done. By the time Kiowa died, however, he seemed to have become inured to the deaths of those under his command. He recognized that his actions/lack of action contributed to Kiowa's death, but by the end of the story wasn't even sure he'd write a condolence letter to the man's parents.

When Lavender died, Lieutenant Cross was busy blaming himself because he was thinking about Martha. He felt if his mind had been on the men, this would not have happened. He disposed of Martha's picture and vowed not the think about her any more. He still felt guilty when Kiowa but realized there was much more involved and many blunders. He was caught up in finding his body so that he good write to Kiowa's father that they had it, Lieutenant Cross will carry these deaths all his life, I am sure, because that is the kind of man he wss.

I don't think Lt. Cross's distraction over Martha contributed to Lavender's death, but Cross certainly believes it did. He may believe that because he wishes he could have saved Lavender. Sadly, that's the effect of war--survivor's guilt and a desire to do all to save a fellow soldier.

Lieutenant Cross was not prepared to deal with the deaths of men under his command.