Now-a days, a soldier is so much of a machine that he seems simply to go through certain evolutions, in which there is no opportunity for the display of personal bravery or cowardice.
A trifling incident thus served to settle a victory.  Now-a days, a soldier is so much of a machine that he seems simply to go through certain evolutions, in which there is no opportunity for the display of personal bravery or cowardice.  He does not know what is going on in other parts of the field, and has no real knowledge, till all be over, whether the day has been lost or won.