Soldiers, who are almost always ignorant of the designs of their
chief, cannot be responsible for his conduct. If he orders them to
lay down their arms, they must do so; otherwise they fail in that law
of discipline which is more essential to an army than thousands of
men. It appears to me, therefore, under these circumstances, that the
chiefs alone are responsible, and liable to the punishment due to their
cowardice. We have no example of soldiers being wanting in their duty
in the most desperate situations, where they are commanded by officers
of approved resolution.