Worcester daily spy., 1861-10-26
Tactics OF tho Duke Of AIvn.

The career of tile Duke of Alva, whom the
historian Motley calls 'th first warrior of his
age, contains a lesson which may be of value
to us in these war times. A chief cause of
that generals success was his Indifference to
popular opinion and to the clamors Of his sol
dirrs, This was strikingy illustrated in his
campaign against the Prince OF Orange, of
which Mr. Motley gives graphic account in
the second volume of ''The rise of the Dutch
republic"
"In the early part of Octnber 1868, the
Prince Of Orange, with 2)000 infantry and
5000 cavalry, entered Brabant and eagerly
sought battle with the Duke OF Alva who
was at the head OF only 5000 or l6 900 in
lantry and $500 cavalry. The prince had
cvcrytliu to hope, the duke everything to
fear from the result Of general action. The
latter believed that if he could avoid battle
the army OF the prince, which was poorly paid,
would at the approach OF winter disblul OF its
own accord lie accordingl ly resolved to hang
upon his adversary's skirts, to follow him move
by move, to check him at every turn, to har-
Ass him in hundred ways, to foil all his en-.
terpriscs, 10 parry all his strokes and finally
to drive him out OF the country, after a totally
barren campaign, when, as he felt certain, his
aud leave their patriot prince a helpless and
penniess adYenturer. The plan was carried
out to the letter, although it required almost
saperhuman firnness on. the part Of the duke
to keep his own impatient soldiers in check.
Twenty nine times the prince changed his en-
campmcnt, and at every move the duke was
still behind him, as close and seemingly as inn
palpable as his shadow. Thrice they were
within cannon shot of each other, twice with
out a single trench or rampant between them.
The skirmis hing at the OutpoSts was incessent
but the main body was withdrawn as soon as
there seemed chance OF its becoming involv-
ed.
At one time the main body of the army of
the prince having crossed the river Geta, tie
rear guard Of 5000 were attacked and cut in
pieces by detachment Of 1000 under Vtei
an officer whom the duke had sent for that
purpose. Vitelli sent Il messenger to the duke
to impOre him to advance with the main body,
cross the river, and once for all exterminate
the rebels in general combat Alva, iniam-
ed that his sagely conceived plans could not
be cOmprehended even by his iavorte officers,
said, "go back to Vitella. Is he or am to
command in this campaign Tell hun not to
suffer single man TO cross the river. Warn
him against sending any more envoys to adj
wise battle for should you Or any other
man dare to bring me another message, l
swear to you by the head OF the king that you
go not hence alive" Baron dc Chevrtau, a
young officer of the duke dashed his pistol to
the ground in his presence, excIaiming that
the duke would never fight. The duke smiled
at the young mans chagrin, seemed even to
approve his enthusiasm, but minded him
that ii was the business of an officer 10 fight,
of general to conquer. Il tie victory were
bIoodless, so much The otter for all. The
dukes predictions were finally verified, for in
the latter. past of November the i'll paid sol
diers of the prince became mutinGus, his army
was dissolved, and his hopes OF rescuing til e
Netherlands from Spanish tyranny were for
the time, disappointed The duke had, by
consummate strategy, foiIed The army under
the id0!ized champion of the Netherlands, and
this so decisvey that, without losing a single
man, he mad destroyed eight thousand rebels,
and catered to the winds the remaining
twenty thousand
While the sympathies ofalI lovers of liberty
must be with the Prince of Orange in this un-
fortunate campaign, ii is impossible to represS
Il feeling Of admiration for the tirmncss and
skill displayed by the duke. Il is instructive
TO reflect what howl would greet modern
Aiva who, al the head of our American army
should adhere to such 4 system OF tactics.
The result Of the campaign in the Netherlands
might have been very differ ent if the duke had
had to contend against reporters dOgging his
steps and inhaming the minds OF the people
by indiScreet reports, and against thousand
newspapers bounding him on to a premature
battle. He was more than a match for the
murmurs of his soldiers but it may be doubt
ed whether he would have been proof against
such pressure as has been brought to bear
on some of our military leaders"