MacKenzie was one of the good guys, and what he had to do at the Powder River Cheyenne village galled him
But he didn't "have" to do it; he chose to do it.
The fact that choosing not to do it would have had unpleasant personal consequences (and, in the long run, probably wouldn't have prevented the occurence of something equivalent to the Powder River Raid) doesn't negate MacKenzie's free will and responsibility.
even if he were to resign his commission, it would only mean that some other cavalry officer would be given his 4th Cavalry to do Sheridan's bidding
But, unfortunately, the exact same logic applies to [insert Godwinising example of choice here, or any of an infinite supply of similar situations through history].
And, although the 4th would not have followed him, he always had the option of personally choosing to fight against the repeatedly treaty-breaking and arguably genocidal government of the 19th century United States. That's not an easy choice, and it probably would not have resulted in any significant improvement in the outcome, but it doesn't necessarily follow that it would have been the wrong choice.
As a commissioned officer who'd sworn to obey the orders of those appointed over him, he'd have considered that to be a breach of his own integrity. He preferred to remain in command, and prosecute the plains wars in a style that limited the loss of human life while denying the Indians the means to exist off the reservation.
But he didn't "have" to do it; he chose to do it.
The fact that choosing not to do it would have had unpleasant personal consequences (and, in the long run, probably wouldn't have prevented the occurence of something equivalent to the Powder River Raid) doesn't negate MacKenzie's free will and responsibility.
even if he were to resign his commission, it would only mean that some other cavalry officer would be given his 4th Cavalry to do Sheridan's bidding
But, unfortunately, the exact same logic applies to [insert Godwinising example of choice here, or any of an infinite supply of similar situations through history].
And, although the 4th would not have followed him, he always had the option of personally choosing to fight against the repeatedly treaty-breaking and arguably genocidal government of the 19th century United States. That's not an easy choice, and it probably would not have resulted in any significant improvement in the outcome, but it doesn't necessarily follow that it would have been the wrong choice.
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