East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1862-02-25

The necessity for this thorough per-
sonal training of the soldier remained
evident until comparatively recent pc
Rod. We will show presently what were
the causes which led to its abandonment.
In the meantime some remarkable
changes took place in warfare. Europe
was invaded by innumerable hordes Of
Asiatic cavalry, sweeping over the plains
like Egyptian locusts, and in the tracks
which their horses had followed grass
never grew again. From this period
cavalry composes the main bulk of armies,
and infantry is but an auxiliary. Yet no
material alteration takes place in the
training Of the warrior. The knight of
the middle ages no longer wrestlcs in the
arena. He no longer throws the discus,
or drives the chariot; but in him you be-
hold the perfect rider, able
"To turn and wind fiery Pegasus
And witch the world with noble horsemanship"
Completely encased in the armor under
which, we fancy, moderns could hardly
stand, he vaults unaided into the war
saddle. His sturdy arm wields the huge
two handed sword, the ponderous battle
axe, and the still more crushing mace -
Protected at every point by impenetrable
steel plate, arrows and stones rattle
harmlessly upon his helmet and curass,
and it is only weapon as heavy as
smiths hammer that can have any effect
upon him. Bodily strength and activity
are now more than ever the sine qua non
of the soldier; and these Joined to a
finely tempered armor will almost always
ensure tho victory. Woe to the weak in
body in this iron agel lie is fit fit for
nothing but the monks cowl and shaven
crown!
Until the introduction Of FIRE arms,
things remained unchanged. The man
who is destined for the profession of arms,
must harden his sinews by constant
practice Of gymnastics, and the continual
use of weapons; for his life may hang
upon a moments weakness, or a false
motion of his hand. Hence his training
is long, painful, incessant. But it makes
him sef-reliant. He does not depend for
his defence upon his companions. He
can fight alone as well as in the ranks
and with his good horse and trusty blade
he feels himself able to meet the foe.
But "a change comes over the spirit Of
his dream" An unknown monk, in an
obscure cloister ignites by accident a
of sulphur and saltpetre; and
this involuntary experiment is the germ
of mighty revolution. BY degrees, as
fire arms become more common and more
the knights iron panoply drops
off piece by piece. What Milan corslet
could resist the cannon ball or even the
bullet of the match lock? The mail
which once ensured the safety of its
wearer, is now but useless encumbrance.
Its occupation is gone, and after few
years the soldier goes to battle without
q vestige Of defensive armor. Mark the
contrast between the Black Prince of
Poctiers, and the officers Of Fontenoy.
The former is encased in steel. His very
steed is covered with impenetrable breast
plate, chamfron and croapiere, aud his
battle-axe rings on helmet and shield
The latter in powdered wigs, slk-stock-
ings, and pumps, lace cuffs and ruffies,
with no weapon but switch-like rspier,
stand at the head Of the English and
French guards, courteously inviting each
other to fire first!
We do not intend TO discuss the conse-
quences Of the invention Of gunpowder
in philanthropic point Of view; but
we will merely say, that it has made the
overthrow of civilization by the invasion
Of barbarous hordes forever impossible.
In modern times no nation can be sue
cessful in arms without cultivating sci
ence. The art of war is indissolubly
connected with the mathematical and
physical sciences, and the accomplished
soldier must henceforth be a well in
structed scholar.
Let us now glance at the effects of the
introduction of fire arms upon the tactics
of armies and upon the soldier individa-
ally.
While strategy, depending upon inva-
riable principles, is in its nature fixed
aud Interchangeable, it is far different with
tactics. The latter is that branch of mil
itary art which treats of the movements
of troops on the battle field, their forma-
ton for battle and for the march, the
changes Of front and direction, and the
different modes of passing from the line
of battle into column and conversely; all
this in presence of the enemy and subject
to his attack. We have already seen
that the feeblencss Of the ancient project
lie weapons prevented them from exert
ing any influence upon the formation Of
troops. But it was quite another thing
when modern artillery came into play
The velocity of balls is so great, even at
1900 or 1900 PAGES, that it is impossible
to determine with precision the number
Of men that may be killed by them. At
the battle Of Zorndorff Prussian cannon
ball killed or wounded AZ Russian grona-
diers. At Bleinheim battery of fifty
pieces killed or wounded 1000 men at the
first discharge. A bomb-shel has been
known to kill 100 men by its explosion
An eight inch howitzor shell filled with
powder and balls may by its direct shock
and explosion, in crowded mass, pro-
duoe effects quiteas terrible; and Thiroux
says, that even 6 pound ball, passing
through deep column, may sweep away
"a MANY ae th.rtv man In rrcaanco of