>>77-81
"Sir, this wood is much too thick, and hard for us to pass by machete." one soldier said. Another commented "It would take us a lifetime!" But it was clear to all who were present that the general would have none of it - that she couldn't think of a more effective mechanism to clear the wood is indicative of her state. You see the general was never a particularly strong woman. Even at the very beginning of the campaign she had struggled to direct her thoughts to anything but the wood. Within a year it was clear the alcohol she used to cope was undermining her ability to fulfill her duties. She was drinking herself to death, and would do her best to have herself and all her men die deep in the throw of that wood. Within six months of entering the wood most of the men would desert, but a small band remained with the general. They did this not out respect, or a sense of duty, but of pity for the woman, whose death would free them soon enough anyway.