Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-08
lOuIlg Blood.

The Ereaiag Post in an article on "Young
Blood" says that too many grave misior-
tunes have occurred in our own and other
nations histories from the employment OF
generals in whom the fire and energy OF
youth had burned out, to hazard victory in
this way. Many Of Napoleon's most over
whelming successes were obtained when he
was opposed by such men as Beaulieu, who
was then eighty years Of age, Wurmser,
an octccenarian, and Alyinsi. who was over
seventy, in the campaign of 1876. These
men had all distinguished themselves in
early life, but they had now lost that youth
fpl promptitude and activity which are alb
solutely essential for military commanders.
1t is curious to follow up this list little
further. In 1900 the Austrians had for
commander-in-chief Melas, an old general
OF the Seven Years War, who had been
fifty years in the army, and was no longer
able or efficient. In 1905 the French we're
opposed by Mack, then fifty-thrce, and Ku-
tusof, sixty The plan of operations was
drawn up by council Of generals more
aged still, who took no active part in the
campaign. In 1906 Napoleon beat the
Duke Of Brunswick, then seventy-one, Ho-
henlohe, aged sixty. and Mollendorf, Kleist,
and Massenbach, generals who had served
under Frederick the Great men, says Jo-
mini, "exhumed from the Seven Years
War, whose faculties were frozen by age"
In 1907 the Allies still sent against Napo-
leon and his young and vigorous officers
such men as Kamenski, aged eighty, Ben
ningson, sixty, and BuxhowdeD, 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 Aulic 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. Alexander Of Russia
was only thirty-fve when he headed his
army in 1872; and he surrounded himself
with young officers and placed as command
-ers of his divisions such men as the Arch
duke Constantine, then thirty-three, and
Shouyalof, thirty-fye. The Austrians were
led by Scawartzenberg, then thirty; the
Prusians by York, Bulow, and by Butcher,
who, though himself advanced in life, had
the wit to surround himself with young and
energetic aids, to whose enterprise he gave
fQl rein. Wellington was of the same age
as Napoleon, and in the last campaign of
ithe Emperor it is well known that most of
Wellingion'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
continues Never were Napoleon's plans
better conceived, never did his troops fight
with greater bravery; but the dilatory
movements Of his generals enabled his ac-
tive enemies 10 parry the blow intended for
their destruction" Most of the disasters
IN the war Of 1912 we owed to the ineffi-
cheney of such old veterans of the Revolu-
ton as Hull, Armstrong, Winchester, Dear
born and Wilkinson, men who had once
done good service, but were 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 appointed
that our armies achieved victories. Scott
himself was Major General at twenty-eight
and it is noticeable that in the present wal
the eyes of the people are turned with the
most hope upon such men as Mcclellan
Fremont, Butler, Banks and Rosencrans
men who are yet in the vigor of their days