Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-11-14

hhN aiNo q AVih vi WAC
erected, and the recruits to the army, In
strong unblesched linen undress, were
being taught by the sub officers and vet
ersns almost every possible variety Of
exercise required for service in war, or
for developing muscular strength and
agility. This was one of the many
phases OF q Prussisn soldiers training,
which made them 30 irresistible in con-
fict and pre- eminent in success, The
training OF soldier is so thorough tLat
he is no less qualified for any position
almost In civil as well as military life.
He must know, not specifically, but
we'll all the more ordinary degrees and
acquisitions Of an education. To read,
write and reckon Is the universal ability
OF every child OF proper age. The young
man is liable to and must perform active
military duty from the age of seventeen
to twenty -four. Five years service In
the army is indispensable, except under
certain circumstances, After this he
must serve seven years in the reserve
corps, then The balance OF his liability
of service is in the 'Landwehr," or mil
itia. From twenty to forty years OF age
government demands his connection
with its military resources. If young
man understands French, English, Latin,
mathematics, geography and history, he
is required to serve only one year as 8
common soldier, and after that he is
commissioned as lieutenant. Such sol.
diers are distinguished from the ordina-
ry private bya black and white cord
around the red shoulder strap. They
must provide their own living (at home
II they prefer)p but must be prompt and
regular in the discharge Of every duty,
drill, or service. They must take q
poor soldier, selected by the captain, for
aRservsnt and pay him two thalers
Isl SOY extra pay per month. They fur
nish their own equipments, and, in fact,
render service as required without ex-
pense to government. The number OF
these one year men is comparatively
small, but II is a powerful incentive to
all to possess these requisite quslifca-
tions. The success of the Prnssian
armies is owing more, in my opinion, to
their intelligence than superiority OF
armsor discipline. Almost every foot
soIutci Ias nlsa Aaap vr 49, S~~~s-p in
which his campaigns are made. They
move feom, place to- place according to
the facilities OF wster, rations, and for,
age. When they entered Homburg ONE
soldier asked another where the old
castle (the scbloss) was. His comrade
taking from his bootleg his map, says
This is such street there must be the
Schloss." In every order for march the
location OF every well, stream or river
is designated. The shortest routes are
selected. They always have rations,
good clothes and shoes. "A friend says
when the Austrians came to Homburg
they were ragged, authorizations, shoes,
and had marched the entire day, from
zone point to another, In so circular a
manner that they were sastoundedl at
being told they had accomplished bat
eight miles OF actual progress. The
needle.gun of the Prussian service
strikes me unfavorably. 1t is . heavy,
rifed musket, with chamber at the
breech for receiving the cartridge. A
stout handle, like that of an iron bolt,
projects about three inches above the
barrel. This is struck to one side, the
chamber slips back towards the bolt, the
cartridge Is placed in it, the bolt struck
up and erect, and the piece is loaded
The needle is drawn back by q project
ing knob or shoulder, and let go, when,
by the force of a stroBg spring, it pene
trates one end Of the cartridge, filled
with detonating powder. This causes
the explosion of the cartridge, and
throws the minnie. shaped ball, with &C
curscy and force, long range. But
the piece itself, as it appears in the
hands of the soldier, is unwielcly and
awkward. My impressions may, how
ever, be very erroneous. a21Ha- -