The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-06
The Rife and Rayonet.

FROM tho London lines, Aprll IL
Twenty years ago 1t still current pro-
verb that tho weapon the British soldier the
bayonet Tho meaning however, OF the maxim was
hsthat the soldier had then no other weapon 10 rely
upon. He carried musket, but he could not trust To
this instrument for sending bullet TO It's mark. AS a
machine for propeng balls with anything like accuracy
OF direction or range the old reloc was almost useless
indeed the reader may recollec perhaps, the testimony
given before committee by sergeant o. the Guards,
who said that II man took aim al all with his
musket the bullet might perhaps hit the target, but
that 1t could not possibly do so by force OF adjust
ment and level. At that time therefore, scientific
shooting was avowedly confined to one or two reg.
mens in the army, which were equipped with special
weapons and specially instructed in the art of using
them Gradually however, and in some degree from the
influence or French example began 70 think that the
difference between muskcteer and riteman was dis
nc,ion which unwise to maintain, and that every
soldier who carried musket might well have the best
weapon pocuabe and be taught to turn Il to the best
account AT first the old principle so far prevailed that
contented ourselves with increasing the strength OF
tho select regiments Of the army and making each OF The
two rifle corps equivalent to tour ordinary batalons
But in the end this distinction dropped altogether,
and every soldier in the line became In all but costume
a rileman. When tho bayonet the soldier weapon
other words that he should get quickly possible to
close quarters with the enemy, and decide the con-
test by charge. These tactics, too, were always
beeved-at any rate, by oursoves-to be peculiarly
suitable TO our national qualities, and peculiarly
conducive to success. III Is at close quarters that
battles are most commonly decided, and whichever
army superior kind Of practice likely TO
superior altogether The troops who best at the
bayonet would probably have tho best OF the day IL
was not often experienced officers said that bayoncts
actually crossed. but still the bayonet charge de-
cided the affair; for when II made with obvious
resolution by soldiers fitted for their work, tho
opposing line broke and rned before the shock Of the
collision These the tactics now thought TO DO super
seeded by the practice Of musketry The bayonet Is
longer the special weapon OF tho British soldier Hc
carries rifle which will deal death at Thousand
yards, and the fact Is carefully Impressed upon his
mind II Is natural therefore, TO suppose that he VIII
pom his arm, and try long range shooting, iu-
IF closing nstnc,ively with his enemy as in times
His famous RHO Is OF 10 him IL no is to
ika fba old NINA Of nd II
% however wc must ask whether change OF tao
iunt ing long range shooting for bayonet charges,
IT necessary incident Of the Improvement OF
attlcs.~rl be decided by actual collision - befors,
whatever may be done by rifles and cannon before the
I'm shock Not only is this Colonel McAnrdos opinion,
but minated by Sir Charles Russell IN tho iato
American show that rife snooting-though the
Americans have natural aptitude for the artdid not
decide battles but. the contrary led 70 eNraordi
nary carnage without any proportionae results Fed
erals and Confederates fired away Mt each other
from long distances till both sides werc 30
personal conflict aud the battle was drawn, though
each army had paid the price of victory No serious
affair I Is said, decided by fine shooting, aud wo
are conclusion that the old fashioned tactics
Of the bayonet would have been more cfeciusl than the
new science. Colonel McMurdo, indeed, Is not UMPIRE
pared 10 revert at 10 the old system OF forming
rifemen into select corps He does not pretend To de-
precaie OF long and extraordlnry pfecs on
in skilled hands but these and this practe may be
left he thinks TO picked regiments The great body OF
army the 'main baftle used 10 be- called VIII
have little need weapons such discipline rhe
real conflict will still DO decided ut close quarterf not
by hand-tohand gghtg at rate by yOleys delivered
such short ranges ca Tor exraord nary skill