Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-07-11
military MaxIms OF NapoI.o,


Tents injurious to health 1t is much better for
soldier to bvouack because he then sleeps with his
fleet to the fire. which quickly dries the ground which
ne es A few boards little straw shelters him from
Sthe wind
Tents however. are necessary for the leaders, who
2ha7e to write and consult the map. They should be
gven therefore, to the superior officers who should be
3 ordered to never lodge in house.
tents attract the observation of the enemys staff ar
make known your numbers and the position YOU occupy
But of army bivouacking in two or three lines moth
Sng is perceived at distance except the smoke which
the enemy confounds with the mist of the atmosphere
be cannot count the fires.
Nothing is more important in war than unity in
\ Hmand When therefore, you carrying hostites
8aganst single power only you should have but one
sarmy acting on one line, and led by one commander
The effect of discussing, making show Of talent,
land calling councils of war; will be what the effect of
these things has been in every age they will end in
the adoption of the most puslianimous if the ex-
OPPRESSION be preferre the most prudent measures which
I'm war are almost uniformly the worst that be adop
@ted True wisdom, 80 far as general is concerned,
Aconssts In energetic determination.
There are certain things in war; OF which the com.
Amander alone comprehends the Importance. Nothing
but hs superior hrmness and ability can eubdue and
%surmount all difficulties.
To authorize generals and officers to lay down their
by virtue OF special capituaton under any other
circumstances than when they constitute the garrison of
fortified place, would unquestionaby be attended with
dangerous consequences To open this door to cowards
Ato men wanting IN energy, to misguided brave
Smen IS to destroy the military spirit OF the nation An
eXtraordnary situation requires extraordinary resOu
Mtion. The more obstinate the resistance of armed
Nbody the chances it will Lave of being succored
Got forcing a passage. How many things apparently
impossble have nevertheless been performed by
& zlute men who had no alternative but death
No sovereign, no people, general, be secure, If
the officers are permitted to capituae the field and
Clay down their arms by virtue of agreement avora
10 themselves and to the troops under their command
sbu opposed to the interests of the remainder of the
Sarmy. To withdraw from peril themselves and thus
Nrender the position OF their comrades dangerous is
Nmanestiy an act OF baseEess. Such conduct ought to
prescribed pronounced Infamous aud punishable with
deah The generals officers, and soldiers who, in bat
ae, have saved their lives by capituang ought to be
adeclmated he who commands the arms to be surren-
dered and they who obey him. are alike traitors and de
Serve capita! punishment.
There is but one honorable way of being made pris-
oner of war; that is, by being taken separately, and
awhen you longer make use OF your arms. Then
there condtions-for there can be none conss-
8tenty with honorbut you compelled to surrender
Sby absolute necessity
To be familiar with the geography and topography
SOf the country to be skul D making reconnaissance
tO be attentive to the despatch of orders to BE- capable
So exhibiting with simplicity the most complicated
movemens Of an army these the qualifications that
ashould distinguish the officer called to the station OF
chief Of the staff.
81 u SeHerdi Vi artHery shOuo Do acquainted with all
she operations of the army, he is obliged to supply
sthe different divisions of which it is composed with
Ssarms and ammunition. His communications with the
artiery officers at the advanced posts should keep him
Uniformed of all the movements of the troops and the
Encouragement of his great park must be regulated by this
ssinformation.
81 To reconnoitre rapidly defles and fords to obtain
gudes that be relied upon to interrogate the cer
gyman and the postmaster to establish speedily an un
slderstandng with the inhabitants to send spies to
seze the letters in the mails translate and make an ab
sract of their contents in Short to answer all the in
quries of the generalinchef his arrival with the
whole army such are the duties which come within
eahe sphere of good general Of an advanced post.
g Commanders in-chief are to be guided by their
experience or genius Tactics evoutions the science
of the engineer the artillery officer may be learned from
reatise but geueralship acquired only by experience
and the study of the campaigns Of all great captains
SGustavC3 Adophus, Turenne, and Frederic as also
Alexander Hannibal and Caesar, have all acted on the
Same principles To keep your forces united to be
vulnerabe at point, to bear down with rapidty up
important points, these the principles which in
Ssure victory.
1t is by the fear which Sthe reputation Of your arms
Snspires that you maintain the fidelity of your allies
land the obedience of conquered nations.