The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1861-12-19
1872 and 1861.

The magnitude of the scale upon which
the war now raging in this country is con-
Quoted is apalling if we compare it with
those which preceded it. The war Of the
Revolution was relatively a mere succession
of skirmishes. The war of 1912, both in
numbers and the field of operation, shrinks
into contemplate ins:gnIficance beside the
\gigantic operations that are going on at the
present hour. If we look back at the his
tory, more especially Of the last war with
England, and compare its leading incidents
with those of the conflict now raging, we
shall find that it hardly rises TO the dignity
Of modern reconnaissance. The O. battles"
dwindled down into the veriest easeutes !;
the casualties are few, and the number cf
prisoners taken in victorious engagements,
counted rather BY hundreds than thousands
We cite few incidents from the war of
1872 to show what petty affairs relatively
were some of the most brilliant victories
achieved BY our arms.
The first @ battle of any importance was
that of Brownstcwn, near Detroit, fought
August 9th, 1872. Our force was only
600, that of the British aud Indians COM
bined, $50. Our loss was Is killed and 63
wounded; that of the enemy, l60.
General HulVs "army," which disgrace
fully surrendered at Detroit, six days later,
only numbered t1renty fee hundred men
while that of the enemy consisted of only
200 English and COO Indians. No wonder
General Brock, who commanded the latter,
wrote to Sir George Provost" When !
detail ny good fortune, your Excellency
will be surprised
AT the battle Of Queenstown, two col
umns of 500 men each, did about all the
fighting on our side. Gen eral Van Rensse.
lear, in his report says: "Onc-third part
Of the men idle, might have saved ALL
AS it was, some looked on, while "many
fed into the woods" leaving their brethren
to their fate.
At the seige of Fort Erie, the English
threw 1000 red hotsehot without hurting
man. Our loss was only 1 killed and
wounded
Brigadier General Smith abandoned his
favorite project of invading Canada West
because, although he had been preparing
the greater part of the summer, and had
energetically drummed up volunteers, he
had succeeded in collecting only 1890 men;
and he did not think the expedition would
be successful unless be had 1900 more.
At the battle ofs.York our force was
100; tha. of the enemy, 700 English and
100 Indians. Our loss was 800 in killed
aud wounded, that of the enemy, 100
killed, 500 wounded, 200 prisoners. This
was one of the most brilliant of cur vieto.
ries, yet it is not to.be compared with the
battle of Belmont, or that of Balls Bluff
either as regards the numbers engaged OF
the losses sustained.
AT the battle of Sackett's Harbor, the
enemy's force was 1000; ours, 500. Hi;
loss in killed and wounded was 15O; ours
154. Among the trophies taken by oul
troops were the British standard and mace
Ocer tie latter hung hamam scalp!
Commodore Perry's victory on Lake
Erie was esteemed a "big thing in its
day; yet his whole feet consisted of only
"a guns and two swiyels! Our loss in
killed ard wounded was 123; that of the
enemy bas never been definitely known.