The Shasta courier., 1861-11-23
Applied Strategy in the United States.
Strategy. from the Greek st,ateqos. a 9,

Applied Strategy in the United States.
Strategy, from the Greek stTategos, gen
eral, meant, in a very open signification
among the Greeks-generatship but to the
multitude of unmilitary readers, this would
be making the definition as obscure as the
thing defined. What is generalship? is the
pertinent answer. Strategy has been vague
ly deiincd-the art of directing masses of
troops on decisive points, and it implied more
clearly, perhaps-the hostile movements of
an army beyond the reach of the enemy's ar.
tillery Its field is the whole theatre of war;
its objective points and lines are mountains,
rivers. and fortified towns. Success in STRAIT
egv constitutes a great general, and, thus
explained, it appears that the Greeks were
right, that strategy is generalship, of that
kind which nav be sttdied in all its combi-
nations in library, and issued by bulletins
for inferior workmen to execute as task work.
But the general must be something more
than strategist. European strategy has
become, especially since the time-of the first
Napoleon, Il comparatively simple study,.by
reason of the war uses of almost every great
strategic point on the continent.
Tho mere mention of the Danube, with its
tributary streams. the Rhine, the Bidassoa,
the Alma, the Valley of the Po, the fields of
Saxony, and the Aceldama of Flanders-ex
amples taken at random will explain our
meaning. Let us premise few definitions.
The base of operations is a strong point or
line Of frontier, as river, coast, range OF
mountains or fortress, which gives at once a
point of departure and a safe place of return
in case of retreat This must be well chosen
with no possibility of being assailed in the
rear, and exceedingly strong in front. TO
define and use proper base is the very first
strategic problem to be solved.
Lines ofopcrdfions are the routes natural
territorial or artificial, by and upon which
the army corps move from the base to attack
the enemy or invade his country. Correct
strategy has been compared to a closed ist,
representing the collection of troops and ma
terial: open the hand, and the extending fin
gers indicate the lines of operation. These
should be always connected with the base;
and the communication, except in special,
exceptional cases, should be kept up with the
base; in this latter view the lines are called
also lines Of Communication. Political causes
often determine both the base and lines OF
operations; and divers nationalities in Eu-
rope affect the military movements constant
ly. -.~.
base or on the lines of operation. These are
formed naturally by mountain passes, bridg-
es. or fords of rivers, etc. and artlfcially by
cities. towns and forts. Thus the strategy OF
Napoleon at Marengo was dependant upon
the difficult pass of the Great St. Bernard,
and that OF Arcola and Lodi upon the storm
ing of inadequately guarded bridges.
The capital Of country is strategic
point. of the most decisive and important
kind it contains the national insignia and
archives. and is the great national represent
ative. History is full of illustrations Of the
military value of capitals. This explains the
eagerness of Napoleon to dictate terms In his
numerous wars at conquered capitals. In
his FIRST and second campaign in Italy, Ge-
noa. Turin. Milan and Venice fell into his
hands. and the treaties of Camp Fornlo and
Luneyille were the consequence. In lo0o
and 1900 he entered Vienna in triumph; the
treaty of Presburg followed the former, and
the peace of Vienna the latter entrance; IN
1906 he was in military power at Berin. In
all his wars lie had no less an aim than the
centre of hostile power.
The Allies retorted his strategy, and twice
ended the war at Paris-in 1914 and 1913.
Exile for him followed both occupations; the
last was final ruin.
1t was not until the capital of Mexico was
taken that our war with that Inntry was
brought TO an end, in 1913.
Let US apply these few principles to Amer
ica and particularly to the present war
Battle tactics will come in due time; but
strategy is our present subject. We are stu
diving our strategy almost for the first time.
That of the revolution was confined to the
Atlantic coast. and that Of 1912 only added
Canada and the Northwest, with the Cult OF
Mexico. And. be it observed, nations never
study strategy in time Of peace: 1t would be
better if they did.
The great bases Of operations are the slave
territories of the South on the one hand, ana
tho lono frontier formed by the Missouri, the
Mississippi. the Ohio, the Pennsylvania line
o,,d tbn Potomac. St. Louis, Cairo and
washington are the prominent strategic
,,o;nfs on our line and the Mississippi, with
is vast valley, its delta in the gulf, New or
leans and Cottondom near Its mouth, Is
most important strategic river
But to come down to narrower limits In
Eastern virgnia, the base OF the Federal r, ar
nv is the Potomac. prolonged by chesapeake
B3v- down TO Fortress Monroe. If the reb- |
als have really succeeded in closing the-Po- |
so,aae. as they assert, we have been there
dafc;ent in strategy, but time may show that |
tbev have not effeetually done thus.
The base Of the rebel army is the James |
river. Richmond Is strategic point h Prih-
einallv because it is the capital but Lynch
bnrr. In re-cntering of the river course, is
tbe sf-onr depot base-threatened in its rear /
bv the masses Of the Kanawha from Western
VIRGINIA. The lines indicate and rendered |
imnortant by railroads radiate through |
points extending from Harper's Ferry to
Earfolk The mountains strengthen their
rear. and the whole strategic arrangement
Constitutes their position an erceeding strong |
ons If tbeir--forces in Western Virginia keep |
Pozeneranz at bay But it is by no means
unassailable. The true direction t Of f attack |
,Ie...oe Then. if thev withdraw from Wash |
;as,ton ;,,gb, to defend Richmond, Mcclellan may
advance they are thus placed at Richmond
between two strong columns. with fortified
minor bases of extreme strength behind
Washington now in our judgment I'M
nreeuable, and Fortress Monroe, which Is
equally So Kentucky and Missouri are
themes for separate discussion.