, 1864-03-26
Ancient Wars.

The word battle, in the military art, signi
ffes an engagement between two hostile ar
mics, drawn up irregular order. 5i.l. l'
Unlike different nations of old, our gene
ais entertain no superstitious notions OF
plans, but fight when it may be deemed ex
pedient. o. ~
The rigid superstition of the Jews in old
en- times prevented them not only from Civ
ING battle, but even from defending them
selves, upon the Sabbath day. &
81 The Athenians were prohibited by the an.
cient laws of the country from drawing out
their forces for battle till after the 7th day Of
the month. .ao -.H
Lucian, speaking of the Lacedamonians,
relates that, by the statistics Of Lycurgus,
they dared not fight before the full moon.
8 A similar custom prevailed among the
ancient Germans, who regarded it as impie-
ty to engage in the wane Of the moon.
The Romans had their peculiar days, called
pre7iarieS dies, wherein alone it'was lawful
to Join battle; and others, whereon it was
unfit, called dies dtt but less scrupulous
than the Hebrews, these latter were only Oh
observed in respect to attacking a.naa-
The ancients never Joined battle without
great deal Of ceremony The signals Of
battle among the Romans were sounding the
classicum, general charge, striking upon
their shields with their javelins, and display.
ing from the 'pretorium peculiar flag, call
ed by Plutarch red mantle. Similar to this
was the custom which prevailed among the
Greeks, ofsinging the pecan, or hymn o.
combat, as they moved forward to the
charge. % . aH9H 200 iI 'lno
The many readers unacquanted with mod
ern and ancient military events will be as
tonished possibly, when we assert that not
withstanding the great armies which have
been opposed to each other upon sanguinar5
fields during the progress of the rebellion
they are but small bodies of men, compared
with the immense armies Of ancient times
Do Indeed, the armies which we are assured
by history have been brought forth to bat
tie in the earlier ages almost stagger our be
llief. H G Oh -3di9d IN np .z9H
Seostris is said to have led 1000 foot
$4,000 horse and $4,000 armed chariotst OF
his famous expeditioninto Upper Asia. Lah
We are told in Scripture that Zeriah,
barbarous potentate, invaded the Kingdom
of Judah with million of his subjects, who
were totally exterminated by the Jewisl
monarch Asa Nor are the accounts of The
numbers engaged at mount Zemaraim OF
both sides, and the carnage Of the Israelites
less marvellous. 'aU T.- 1ra a3l,ta $500.
Xerxes invaded Greece with feet of more
than l 300 triennes and land army of,
100, 900 men, According to Herodotus tn,
whole of his sea and land forces numbered
above five millions. ssd ed 5ldI su.
The last Darius, when he engaged Alex
ander at Issus, mustered in his army 600, ,00(
and some historians make his forces at The
battle Of Arbela amount to Million The
ease with which these immense hosts were
defeated by comparatively trifing number
of Greeks gives us the meanest idea of .thei
bravery and military skill. We must excep
the instance of Platae, where the victory wal
obstinatelY disputed, and the carnage cOnse
quently dreadful There are few instances
upon record Of battle so completely decis