Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-10-16
What Young Generals have Done.

Too many grave mlstortunes have OCCUR
red in our own and other nations histories
from the employment of generals IN whom
the fire and energy of youth had burned
out, to permit US, in the present emergency
to hazard victory in this way. Many of
Napoleon's most overwhelming successes
were obtained when he was opposed by
such men as Beaulieu. who was then eighty
years of age, Wurmser, an octogenarian,
and Alvinsi. who was over seventy in the
campaign of 1796. These men all had
distinguished themselves in early life, but
they had now lost that youthful prompti-
tude and activity which arc absolutely el-
sential for military c1mman lers.
1t is curious to follow up this list lit
tie farther. In 1900 the Austrians had
for Commander-in-chief lIelas an old gen.
eral Of the Seven Years War, who had
been fifty years in the army. and was no
longer able or efficient In 1905 the
French were opposed by Mack, then fifty
three, and kutusof, sixty. The plan of
operations was drawn up by council Of
generals more aged still, who took no ae-
tive part in the campaign. In 1906 Ma
pOleon beat the Duke Of Brunswick, then
seventy-onc, HohenlOhe sged sixty, and
MOllendOrf, Kleist and Massenbach-gen-
erals who had served under Frederick the
Great; men, says Jomini, "exhumed from
the Seven Years War, whose faculties
were frozen by age"
In 1907 the Allies sent against Napole-
on and his young and vigorous officers, such
men as Kamenski, aged eighty; Benning-
sen, sixty, and BuxhOwden, ffty-six. But
in 1909 the Austrian army was led by the
young and energetic Archduke Charles.
and Though he was fettered and thwarted
by the foolish projects of the old generals
of the Aulie Councils" this campaign
proved the most glorious in the Austrian
annals of the wars of the revolution.
In subsequent campaigns the allies were
led by younger men, who proved themselves
more nearly a match for Napoleon. Alex
ander of Russia was only thirty-fve when
he headed his army in 1912; and he sur
rounded himself with young officers, and
placed as commanders Of his divisions such
men az the Archduke Constantine, then
thirty-three, and SehOuYalof, thirty-fve.
The Austrians were led by Sehwartzen-
berger, then thirty; the Prussians by York,
BulOw and by Bluct CT, who though him.
self advanced in life, had the wit TO sur
round himself with young and energetic
aids. to whose enterprise he gave full rein.
Wellington was of the same age as Napo-
leon, and in the last campaign Of the En-
peror it is well known that most Of Well
ingtOn's officers were younger men than
NapOleOn's, who. says military writer.
exhibited in this campaign, less than IN
former ones, the ardent energy and restless
activity which had characterized their
younger days" The same authority con-
tinues. ''Never we're Napoleon's plans bet
ter conceived, never did his troops fight
with greater bravery; but the dilatOry
movements of his generals enabled his ac-
tive enemies to parry the blow intended
for their destruction.
Most of our disasters in the war of 1919
we owed to the ineficiency of such old vet
Grams of the Revelation as Hull. Armstrong,
Winchester, Dearborn and Wilkinson; men
who had once done good service, but we're
now deficient in everything but the desire
to take the field once more. 1t was not
till they were set aside, and such men as
Scott, Wool, Jackson, Harrison and others
that our armies achieved victO-
ries Scott himself was Major General at
tWenty-eight; and it is noticeable that in
the pres mt war the eyes Of the people are
turned with most hope upon such men as
MeClelland, Fremont. Butler, Banks and
ROsencrans, men who are yet in the vigOr
of their days-N 7. Post.