In the midst of campaigning, an officer in command must be well appraised of his own health and well-being. Sometimes the one in charge has to step down from command and let his or her counterparts take the helm/command, even in desperate times, or failing that there must at minimum be a clear chain of succession should the worst come to pass. Here are five times in military history where illness has affected command:
- The Battle of Midway: Rear Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey, commander of a vital component of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, he gave up the reign of the helm Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance when an Japanese armada was in route. Halsey did this because he contracted a severe case of psoriasis and was unable to consciously make battle decisions. Even though Spruance had no previous combat experience, Halsey trusted him to lead the fleet. As a result of Halsey’s forethought, Spruance successfully halted Japan’s plans of destroying the U.S. fleet.
During the Battle of Midway four Japanese aircraft carriers were destroyed by American planes, shifting the balance of power in the South Pacific. Credit: Warfare History Network
2. Napoleon Bonaparte’s Failing Health at Dresden: Napoleon, after a successful victory at Dresden, came down with a sudden illness of diarrhea, vomiting, weight gain, and depression. This prevented him from properly organizing and commanding his army in future battles throughout the rest of the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon even once stated, “my mind resists, but my body gives in.” Illness unfortunately worsened on the commander until the rest of his days as a leader.
Napoleon at Fontainebleau, March 31, 1814. Credit: Oddee
3. Augustus’ Lifelong Illness: The first emperor of Rome, Cesaer Augustus, throughout most of his life was stricken by chronic illness for many weeks to months. Unfortunately for Augustus and his reputation, he frequently was stricken with sickness right before battles. There is one instance in 23 BCE, where he almost died while in command. Augustus persistently would arrive late to battle due to a consistency of being ill. Augustus’ lifelong tale of illness finally struck him down at the age of 70 and historians still do not know the illness that affected him for his whole life.
Augustus, statue in Rome. Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica
4. Winfield Scott: Often known by his nickname, “Old, fat, and feeble,” Winfield Scott weighed in at around 370 pounds when late in his command. When the American Civil War began, Scott was 74 years old and suffered from multiple health problems, including gout, rheumatism, and dropsy. Scott being extremely overweight compounded his poor health, and he was thus unable to mount a horse or review troops, and subsequently had to give up his command of his army so they could be lead more effectively.
3rd Commanding General of the U.S. Army: Winfield Scott. Credit: Wikipedia
5. Alexander the Great: While on his expedition of trying to conquer as much of the world as he could, Alexander the Great suddenly came down with severe illness and passed away in the middle of his life. Theorized causes of his death include alcoholic liver disease, typhoid fever, malaria, and strychnine poisoning. Other accounts of his death conclude that he was poisoned by an enemy, family friends, and even his own wife. Nevertheless, Alexander’s death would be a cause of great mourning to the future citizens and leaders of great empire of Rome.
Alexander mosaic (c. first century AD), ancient Roman floor mosaic from the House of the Faun. Credit: Wikipedia
