Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-04
GNOrtester Daily Spg.
MODERN MILITARY TACTICS.

military science. lie was the trst in modern
times to appreciate the value of thoroughly
educated staff. And here we may observe
that in the PeninSuar war, especially toward
its close, the importance of such corps was
equally appreciated in our own army; and so
high was the opinion the French entertained
OF our quartermaster generals staff, that they
carefully studied after the peace the system of
military instruction at the staff college of that
day, and ultimately founded upon ii the Ecole
Etdt Mayor We may rest assured that what
Alexander and Ere erick found necessary for
Their armies, and what Wellington encouraged
in his, must be matter OF the greatest impor-
lance to the well being and skilltu direction
OF the troops and hence the necessity of care
fully watching the effect of the present Staff
College, which has been established on the
broadcast possible basis for the instruction of
future staff officers, at the public expense, and
which we believe is well adapted to the pur.
pose for which it is destined.
THIN RANKS.
Another great advance in military science
is due to Frederick-in the lightness and ra-
pidity, as compared with the tactics of the
times before him, which he infused into the
movements of his troops of every arm. His
infantry was formed in three ranks, thus pre-.
senting striking contrast TO the formation of
Gustavus Adolphus century before in six
ranks, which was itself an innovation upon
the usual order Of that time in ten ranks. The
change is due to the gradual increase in the
number of musketers, with the extinction OF
the plkemen, and to the necessity which was
at once felt OF developing to the fullest extent
the line OF fire. while there was no longer the
same reason Tor the deep mass of ancient
times, for mere weight and ply sical force
which could in very few instances be now
brought into play
The British army, as is well known, has
for many years adopted still thinner fprma-
ton, that of two ranks; and it would appear
that tie French army, since the Italian cam
paign has followed our example. In point of
fact, another element has made its appearance
in the question since the time of Frederic. and
even OF the first Napoleon; namely, the ire
mendous force and accuracy of modern fire.
arms OF the accuracy, however, we can at
present say little in regard to its practical ef-
feet on war, saving that in the recent italian
battles the improvement in this respect does
not appear to have rendered the contest short
er than were general actions in the days of
good old Brown Bess. Nor were the lists of
killed and wounded greater; though in point
OF lac. ii was not to be expected that they
should be- since one of the most certain les
sons taught us in military history is, that the
more formidable the weapon the less will be
the carnage. The reason is that the affair is
IN nearly all cases decided before it becomes
nand-tO-hand conflict, and the more accurate
the firearms the greater will be the distance
between the adverse lines at which this de-
cision takes place, and consequently the facili-
ty afford d 10 the beaten party of making good
its retreat But the increased force of pene.
tration OF modern firearms may not mproba-
bly, give rise to the question Of formation in
three or even in two lines, since it is certain
that the same bullet will in very many, per-
haps in the majority of cases, prove the des-
truction of both front and rear rank man to-.
gether.
We see, then, that the order of formation
has become more and more shallow from the
time OF Gustavus to the present day and the
question is, has it reached its limit? There is
much to be said on both sides in the reply
but upon the whole it seems not improbable
that the ultimate formation is not yet attained,
and that the next gre 1t change in tactics will
be the advancing to attack i'll single rank fol-
lowed by second, and possibly by a third
rank, sufficiently near 20 replace the first in
case Of disaster, or at the critical moment to
join with it in the contest; thus presenting
succession of waves of attack, each light in
itself, and easily stemmed, yet in their accu-
mutation irresistible. But this question merits
far more space and time than We have at pres
ent to give to it, and we merely suggest it for
the consideration OF those interested IN such
speculations.
ARTILLERY.
. When to what we have already said of the
increased lightness and activity given by
Frederic to his infantry and cavalry we add
that he adopted the same view with respect to
artillery, by organizing horse artillery batter
les, it will be evident that this principle, with
the illustration afforded to it by his actions, is
the legacy that great warrior has left to militia.
nv science
RAW LEyIEs
From the military era inaugurated by the
great Frederic, the elementary tactics of
which have in great part survived TO our
own day. we descend through tile American
and French revolutionary eras to the times of
NAPOLEON and Wellington. The wars, how
ever, ofthose eFsfutions must not be altogeth.
err passed by. Indeed as paving the way to
the more regular wars of the nineteenth CEN
tury. they could not be neglected without man.
fest detriment TO military history Both SHOW
cd what could be effected by raw levies prop.
erly directed with reference TO the circum-
stances in which they were p,aced-the Amer.
leans in thickly wooded country, acting in
light diminishing order and depending on the
natural instinct of the individual marksnan;
the French fighting in masses, vet not trusting
their undisciplined hordes to the assault in line
of regular troops, advancing in dense columns,
and oyerthrowing the comparatively thin lines
of enemies who were not possessed of sufi-
cient moral force 10 meet su1.h an attack. Both
wore instances of Paixban's remarkable saw.
inc that ..tbe strength of nations is no lonper
in their barracks" Both were. after a severe
struggle. eminentIy successful
NAPOLEON AND WELLINGTON.
Seldom was there greater contrast present.
oil Inv two generals in the same ooo hon NO.
tween Nanoleon and WeIIiog,on Eel van