New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-08-27
New ri;IiAnry gsook.'

New Military Book.
Tho complaint las long been III but universal
anon. our officers ambitious Of knowing and dis
charging their whole duty, who have not had the
advantages Of regular military education, that
there are but few books in tho language capable Of
aoTdilg that plain, practical instruction III tAe &C.
tails Of sold.c-ship which j. specially required by
men who have picked up tho profession Of arms lato
in liie aud who not adopts IN te purely iechni-
cnl nnl arbitrary phraseolcgy Ct tie military
schools Mos, of the better class Of military books
arc written ~ scicuthc soldiers Tor the lenctt @:
students prcsupposed to possess ccrain amount OF
soientl, aul technical knosled-e; and thus It IT.
suits ,h., great difficulty Is experienced IN master
ing tie contents Of such volumes y mon having 10
previous professional acquaintance with tie fulJec.
matter.
Tic work ~ Cen. Culum Is from The pou Of az
officer who has already msdo important steps to-
vani remedying tho evil complained q. both b.
od ,inal cssqys ~ result ~ hs experience 10 the
service and hls lAbom rs Professor Of Practical
Engineering At " est j mt ala also ~ ira,!@tloas
with colous explanatory notes auI llastmt.ols
from tie beet military winters q France and Ger
many. IL his petition a. Chici-Oi-StaA To General
IIai.cck General Cuilum hos, doubtless, had ..c-
quonily forced upon his attention the carncs, but
blind cropping after military Lnowlcde, Of men
suddenly called from civil life 20 positions Of greater
or less comwand and in his prcscn; volume, simple
all cc-r IN tie text, and further made easily intel
iirtio ly copous illus,raiongAc has condensed
and put within the reach OF C'cGy officer all The IL
formation necessary Tor the construction, transfoI-
tailon, dsmauueLent and re-ostabishnDent of all
orders and qualities Of military bridges. The text
IL divided into brief chapters, each comprising
an thnt need be known for practical in one par
teuGr Department Of the general subject; and these
chapters are again subdvidcd into numbered para
graphs each paragraph being perfect subdivision
II one itcm Of the wo,l 10 be done. Going back 20
tie oar.cs, history OF military operations be briefly
paints Aer2cs porting lis vast hosts rcross Tie
Ilcllcspont. Darius crossing the Bosphors on his
bridge Of boats. Alexander with his conqucring
Grcrs spanning he Tigis, Hannibal aching the
rapid Rhonc with infantry AID cavalry, and Caesars
famed bridge across tho Rhino. Coming down 10
modern limos, reference is made To Napoloons nu-
mcrous passages % tie Danube al the Island Of I.o
lau, and ,o i'a; Stupcndous work by which Well
neton forced Lis entrance into France across the
Adour. Tncsc historical "reminiscences not only
impair. vivid interest 10 details Of thc poniouicring
art, vh!cl otherwise might he too dry for ordir ~
readers but also nave tnat most excellent quality
of " teaching by example" and holding mp before
all students of this branch of military, splendid H.
ustrntions Of the benefits 10 be acquired from
II knowledge and ready application OF the
subject matter. All the various kinds Of bridges In
use among the armies OF Europe ore infinitely do
scnhcd, with instructions 10 thctools, machinery,
equ.pogc aud transportation necessary for each kind
and special stress is laid upon the India rubber pom
toon bridgctha, IN by the armies of the United
States and now adopting by many Of the European
armics-a species of military bridge invented and
constructed by Gen. then Captain Cullum Tor tho
use of our armies operating against Mexico and 20
tho value, liehincss and mobility Of which Gen.
Scott, Gen. Tottcn and other high authorities have
borne testimony We commend this volume to the
study Of all volunteer officers and others likely any
time To bc ntrusted with the command even of de-
Gohment. 1t will AT least enlarge their ideas of the
great Art which they profess, interest aud excite
their ambition by tho splendid strategic achieve.
mcnts 10 which IL constantly refers in illustration.
and they know not at what moment of their careers
the knowledge thus acquired may prove invaluable,
either ~ enabling them TO strike a sudden blow
against the enemy, or TO secure retreat for their
command which might otherwise be- lost.
sYsrEas ~ MurAR, BRipcrs N Usr nv TIM UNrrp
and such employed h british I4dla Win illustration.
LOT tue pttservaon destruction and ro.stabishnent 81
BRIDE. ny ds Zen Gso W. Crss .,S ;s COL L IT,
OF tho uhitod staios. Now York. Van NosHand