The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-03

been pubiiiScd in this country under the infpec.
tion or Baron Steuben, there have been made
great improvements in the art of war; would
therefore propote that Moran be invited. by
'ne nation, to draw up plan lir,iiar to that
of Steubcn, but containing the rev d;f.ipl;n.
and mode of warfare. which originated in the
wars of the French Revolution, and have fri
umphed over the mott experienced generals of
'he Old m':tary fchool, and over troops fup-
Poied to he the beft in the world. The dsx-
'rous uie OF the broad fword is all-impor,ant to
the cavalry the troops defined for this fer.
VICE, thould therefore, be made perfect in the
ik,lful exercile of this weapon. A numerous
and well appointed cavalry is of vaft impor-
to any army, but from the nature of the
approaching contef, would be particularly 70
to us, inaimuch as it would give US fuch de-
cided fuperiority TO the Bri,iih in the celerity
or our movements, and the efficiency and ra-
p'd'ty with which we could frke a blow; aE
l/H"e that an arrangement of this fort would give
US mott decided fuperiority over the enemy,
IN coniequencs of the difficulties they would
experience III bringing hories here--for pre-
iume 1t will be granted that they would not ca
MY procure them on the fpot. conceive the
routine OF the manual exercife as ufuaIiy prac-
tiled by our militia to be Of fmal Importance !:
In aetuai engagement, the only exercife is TO
load and fire, or thruft with tn. bayonet one
or ioldiers are1ot auto nata, they are thinking
beings ana 10 make them ground their arms
| rs to make them fuppole that there is polIibi-
| my OF being reduced to that humiliatpg nccer-
N.Y.. and that when brought into that f,uati.
on they mutt yield up their arms to their con.
querors as gracefully as pofiible. But the ufe
ofthe bayonet is OF Infinite. importance our
troops when RATED houiu ,hv,.sa.s he accuC
| toned to ftand charge 10y mock lights, in
| which they fhould be taught to contend with
| labour, frmnefs and dexteIi'y,. this will make
| them ikilful in the ufe of this terrible weapon,
while the labour of exercife will ftrengthen
| their limbs, and gradually eDure them to the
hardihips and dangers Of a vigorous campaign.
Laftly, as to our preparations, the artillery is
| perhaps of the higheit importance this and
the bayonet decide all the great battles in Eu-
rope. But to become good engineer requires
conliietablc ftudy and practice; fudy, be-
caufe it depends entirely upon the fcence OF
geometry and practice, becaufe an artillery
badly managed by the folders, whatever may
be the fcience and military genius that com
mands, is of more injury than fcivice (; for one
falfe ftep may throw all into confuion and rem
der this important, this al-importan, dsi6on
of an army, an eafy prey TO the enemy. To
avoid thefe evils the officers Of the Arte-
Try as foon as appointed, ihould go into a
fort of military fchool, intlituted in the camp
where they ihouId I.oceed in practice and the.
DRY together ; they ihould mark off ituations
for camps, view all the varieties of grounds
beft calculated for the operation of batteries
and whole petition wonld be favorable for at
tack or defence BY this means, with the zeal
which trut CLOVIS in the bofom of every A
merican, we could in the courle, of few
months form our young men of fcience and
genius, into able engineers, and pofitfs a nu
merous and well appointed body of artillery
] come to peak BOW of the officers to com
mand-and the!e, it is my opinion, fhould be fe
leeted from our young men oftaents. TIE high
Ell order OF talents are ssreqn6te to form grea
general, as great poet, great phofopher
great ftatefman, &c. &c. I do not know
whether the remark of the critic was correct
that the fame genius which made Germancu
the greatef general of his age, under different
direction would have made him the ereatel
poet; but ] do believe that a man is in fom,
fort born great general: ii requires particu
lar combination of qualities, OF which perfona
courage is the leaf it requires mind which
upon one neceflary location, may pofIefs tn;
fedatenefs of thought, and meditatine, delibe
rating turn of mind of phloforher, and, il
the very next moment, upon an occafon of
different fort; the capacity of thinking, refolv
ing and acting, with the rapidty of lightning
/, fuch man is feidom an old man. WITT
age" fays Helvetus, ''we gain knowedg,
and experience, but we loofe afFipity and firm
; neG." Men are always RATED too late, ,
fays Machidvil, "to important places
z" Almof all the great actions of the prefeht an,
patt ages" continues Helveils, - have beer
performed before thirty years. OF which
Hannibal. Alexander, &c. are proofs" eth,
man who renders himfeIf luxurious" fays Phi
lip de Commnes, is always 70 early" II
; is nof," concludes Helvetius, sat fbe Se,iod
eUbFn enfeebled BY age, inien6b'e to tie ebarm.
cfprnjf, and indlfe'eaf to CONFEDERATION, qcbiel
is tbr companion Of giory, that men make tn
! Efforts neeeDary TO attain il"
Not the ilghtea difrefpect is meant by what
has been fdd, to fuch of our revolutionary he.
roes as are yet alive; but they vii certainly
not be too covetous of glory; we of the rifnC
generation claim our flare, and fisi thar we
| ought not TO have our portion withheld from
uF, of the dangers and the glories of defending
! America.
Fired with the third which vrtuou, envy breeds,
| And fniit with love of honorable deeds,
Ma penfre au grand jour tonjours . offre and
s'expofe. Boileau.,
Csfar and fome others are exceptions.
| Hohenlinden and Marengo were grestbattles won
by young gsnerals
| a meeting Of the citizens of Richmond af-
fembled at the Capitol on Weduefday evening,
to take efftttual meafures for celebrating the