The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-12 00:00:00

COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE.

This is a most interesting and instructive number,
not only to the professional but also to the general
reader ; it contains subjects suited to every taste,
although, of course, the greater number relate to the
distinguished services to which it is especially devoted.
It opens with an article by Lieutenant-General
O'Kounoff, on the " New Employment of Artillery,
and the Revolution it is destined to produce in the
System of Modern Tactics." Anything proceeding
from the pen of so distinguished an officer, on a
subject of such paramount importance, must prove
in the highest degree interesting to those who are
desirous of becoming acquainted with all the details
of the profession to which they have devoted them-
selves. Napoleon was well aware of the great value
of his artillery as an element of victory ; and it was
perhaps to this knowledge, and the use he made
of it, that many of his most successful efforts may
be attributed. The science is as yet, however,
in its earlier stages, and we may consider it as more
susceptible of improvement than any of the other
arms used in modern warfare. Each day adds to our
knowledge of projectile forces. New explosive com-
pounds have recently been discovered, the full effects
of which it is as yet impossible even to speculate on.
Many inventions have been announced, which, if at
all in accordance with the claims put forward in their
behalf, must occasion a complete change in the art of
war. All the improvements that have taken place,
the introduction of new and more destructive wea-
pons and instruments have had tire effect of rendering
wars less frequent and less bloody. The triumph is
more speedily achieved. The Generals can calculate
with greater certainty the result that can be attained
with the materiel at their disposal. Victory no longer
is obtainable by strength of body, or mere brute
force but by the skill and judgment of the general. We
can scarcely look for any great additional strength
being given to our cavalry or infantry. New evolu-
tions may be introduced, other tactics may be disco-
vered, but we cannot suppose that men can be pro-
cured of greater steadiness and fortitude, of more iron
frames, vigorous action, and unflinching bravery than
the gallant veterans who have so well maintained the
honour of their country at all times and seasons. We
may hope that whenever this hour of trial may arrive
the sons may emulate the deeds of their sires, rival
their exploits, and become equally meritorious sol-
diers, but they can never surpass them. In that re-
spect we fearlessly assert that we have reached the ne
plus ultra. There cannot either be a very great im-
provement in their armament. The
of
firelock and
e
bayor:et will still be retained in the hand
foot soldier, and form his chief weapons of offence and
defence. The sabre, the lance, the pistols or carbine,
of the dragoon, but it is otherwise with the ordnance.
There is no assignable limit to the career of discovery.
It is to that vast and unexplored field that the atten- ,
tion of men of science will be directed. New inven-
tions will be- brought forward. More deadly coin
pounds will be produced, and in all human probability
the day will come when, in the words of our author,
" The art of battles will be based upon the efforts of
artillery, which will henceforward, from a secondary,
become the principal arm of modern armies." We
have four chapters on this all important subject; the
first is introductory, and the General compares the
battles of Eckmuhl, Wagram, Austerlitz, and Boro-
dceinnotraes,
which,
illustrations of the system of attacking the
if successful, effects the most signal re-
sults, leading to the entire disorganization of
the defeated army, but which from its ex-
traordinary difficulty has fallen into disuse,
and that, by what are termed " movements of
conversion," or attacking the extremity of