Wild Bill Hickok

I suppose I am called a red-handed murderer, which I deny. That I have killed men I admit, but never unless in absolute self-defense, or in the performance of an official duty. I never, in my life, took any mean advantage of an enemy.

At last, after thinking a heap about it, I came to the conclusion that I always did, that the boldest plan is the best and safest.

but ef you’d heard me swear and cuss the blue-bellies, you’d a-thought me one of the wickedest of the whole crew.

The officers had no command over them. They were afraid of their own men, and let them do what they liked; so they would rob and sometimes murder their own people. It was right hard for me to keep up with them, and not do as they did.