I'm remembering one, dimly, about a captain who always insisted his first mate bring him a red shirt before every battle. One night after several battles, the first mate asks him about why he's adopted the practice.

His answer is simple and practical: "The idea is that if I am wounded, you men will not see it and will continue to fight on unafraid."

The next morning they find themselves surrounded by Barbary Pirate xebecs... the order of the day?

...

...

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"BRING ME MY BROWN TROUSERS!"