The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-06-14
THE PR ES s..
Printed by /" Caloric. .
war as a Science.

Although nothing is repeated in this
world,-if itwere so there would be an end
to Infnity-yet there is near approach
to it, in what are called the exact sciences;
but, even in these, the application being
always different, as in numbers and in
chemistry; and so any result cannot be
calculated with certainty. War, between
the contending races and empires, in
Europe, has demonstrated that the
talents Of military commander, like
d Jockeys science on the courser, as fire.
quently decides the race, and the battle,
as the physical strength of the combat
ants The alacrity of movement by an
army in the right direction, and at the
right time, changes the relative physical
strength of the parties for the time being,
at the particular local point of attack;
thus the saying of Napoleon the Great,
that the greater body ALWAYS defeats the
smaller one, is not weakened, but it de-
pends upon the sagacity and rapid mathe-
matical combinations of the commander
of an army. What we wished to note Just
now, however, is the fact that the present
theater of the war in Europe has, for two
thousand years, been the field upon which
the fate of nations has been settled, and
that the same causes have determined, of
necessity, the same battle grounds, thus
proving that war approximates the char
acter Of an exact science. Hannibal,
more than nineteen centuries ago, de-
feated the Romans, and gave dominion to
Carthage over Italy, on the same spot
where, in l746, the French defeated the
Austrians, and where, again, the armies
of Republican France, under Moreau and
Macdonald, were overwhelmed by the
Russian battalions under the renowned
Suwarrow, in 1899. The same may be
said of the battle fields of Fleurus, of
Leipsic, of Lutzen, of Vittoria, and many
others The graphic pen of Livy has
given to the victory of Hannibal as
correct local geographical description
of the contest between the French and
Russians at the Trebia, as to the battle
which gave to the illustrious Carthagin-
ian, on the same spot, the dominion of
Italy.
Military criticisms, then, are interest
ing just now as affording tolerably clear
view of the future, in the movements of
the armies now. opposed at the river Po,
and on the plains of Piedmont and Lom-
hardy
The descent Of the First Consul in the
rear of the Austrians, from the Great st.
Bernard, in his second war in Italy, after
his return from Egypt, it is likely, from
present indications, win be repeated, but
In different way. While Massena was
engaged in front with the Austrians, near
Genoa, Napoleon came down like an
avalanche in their rear, captured Milan,
won the battles Of Montebello and Mar
engo, and reconquered Italy as he had
before done, and as Suwarrow had like
wise accomplished in one campaign.
The French at this time, with the COM
mand of the Adriatic, can at any time
land strong corps at or near Venice
and then with the passes of the Alps,
closed by Garibaldi in the right flank of
the Austrians, they will be nearly en-
closed on the plains, and may be forced
to combat at disadvantage
The tardiness Of Napoleon III. is prob.
ably designed to retain the enemy where
he is, not only until time is gained to make
flank movement, but until threat
ening revolutionary demonstration and
movement in Hungary, assumes definite
shape and character, Once in motion, a
retreating army can ever be taken at dis
advantage, end its destruction is always
possible by an active, bold and energetic
pursder. The rapid successes of the
Austrians in Piedmont, after Napoleon's
hrst campaign, and his equally rapid pro-
gress In oyerruning the same State, and
securing its fortresses, are decided init
nations OF the result of the present cam
paign' We rather think that the French
are are more fearful of too early retreat of
Their enemies, before their plans are con
summated, as indicated by the latest ad-
vices, and Of course are not likely to press
the Austrians just now to general en-
gagement ~
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