Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-08-22
THE PRuss1AN ARMY.

There is remarkable simplicity and com
nrehensiveness in the military organization of
Prussia. Every able bodied man is bound to
military service from the age of twenty until
he reaches his ffieth year. There is no ex-
emption for special reasons, which must be pre-
sented and examined when the new recruits
come up, each May, before the military COM
mission. A young man, whose aged parents
Jpnond ON him for support, is exempt for a few |
Years. until his brothers and sisters grow up to |
lake his place if he is an only son. however, |
he is Usually permanently exempt; as is also,
always. the only son of a widow, by a special |
humane provision.
The soldiers are divided into four classes:
|. The Standing Army, comprising the re-
cruits, who serve in this class for the space of
three years They are, in fact only troops in
training. They are subjected to severe drilling
from six to eight hours daily-and are
thoroughly instructed in field service; to march
and maneuver in companies, regiments, brig
AIDES and divisions. They have also regular
lectures, from experienced officers, on the duties
of soldier on guard, in the field and in hi
vouac They learn, also, the fundamental prin-
principles Of field fertilization. They all learn
that important part of soldiers training-how
to prepare their food. The total expense of
these soldiers of the standing army is not more
$40 per year.
After the appointed term of service in the
standing army, the soldier is dismissed, and
goes back to his home to follow his trade or
profession. He costs, from this time, but lit
tie in time of peace yet is still trained soldier,
ready TO be mustered, at a few hours notice,
into his regiment ready for active service.
IL. The Land-wehr or militia Of the first ban
or summons. This includes all under the age
of 80 years who have been discharged from the
standing army They are the reserve force, to
be called out in time Of war, for any service in
connection with the former class. In time of
peace their military duties are very light.
They meet at certain times in the year for mus
ter and target firing. They also meet twi a
year for instruction in field service, or to ma
neuver with regular army by brigades and di.
visions There uniforms, arms, the harness of
their horses their guns and field equipage,
are kept in large store-houses provided for
them at convenient distance apart. They are
guarded by few officers and men, who are
retained permanently in the service for that
purpose. Their cavalry is mounted by pres
sing into the service for a fixad compensation,
such horses belonging to private persons as are
fit for the field.
ILL., The Land-wchr of the second ban or
summons. These comprise the men from ~ to
40. They are not called out in time of peac e,
but form the garrisons of fortresses in the time
of war; and may, in an emergency, be callea
into the field TO cooperate with the other forces.
~ The Land-strum, embracing all the men
from Is to 80 years of age who are not inclu-
ded in the other three classes. They are not
regularly organized, and would, of course, only
be summoned to render such aid as they might
be able, in case of an invasion.
The total force of the peace establishment,
exclusive of the Lan9-strum, is 7j,7l2 infantry
23,7l2 infantry, %, 452 cavalry, 10000 artillery
$500 pioneers, making an aggregate of llS,
1854.
The war including only tht
first three clasesis composed of 3S3,310 in
.efantry, 65,024 cavalry, 6000S artillery, IA;
pioneers giving total of jlG l45. To these
must be added the soldiers of the artillery
bridge, provision and hospital trains, numbering
10000, and the regimental officers, about TO-
O0O and other special corps, which will make
the grand total 100000.
Experiments have been made to determine
how rapidly this great army can be mustered
under arms, ready for active service. Thu
whole body can be assembled at their appointed
stations, in less than a week after the order ha
been issued from Berlin. In three days time
force of about l0G, 600 men could be assem-
bled Mt any given place within the kingdom.
This is the military force of kingdom wit
q population of 100000. 1t embraces al
between the ages of 20 and 40, who are capabl
of bearing arms, with the exception of the FEY
srecinl cases noted above. II is. probably the
cheapest military organization possessed by an
kingdom in the world. 1t may safely be IT
garded as also the most efficient. A centur
since, when Frederick the Great took the iiel
to confront the Austrian league, it was though
wonderful that he could bring into the field
force of 10000 infantry and $4,000 cavalr,
out of q population of over 100000. BIT
with l,ut rnn tln