New-York tribune., 1870-08-23
THE AR5uEs OF FRANCE AND GERMANY.

THE ARMIES OF FRANCE AND GERMANY.
The reports hitherto published concerning
the vast armies field by the two cOutendng
Powers have been mostly confined O. "a comparison 81
figures as to their numerical strength The following
tracts from series of letters published in the Ga-eeo Of
Cologne by julius Wckede, OF the best military
writers in Europe enter fully into the details OF
organization, equipment and armament OF the two
armies:
We commence with the infantry a. the most important
branch of an army. The equipment Of the French, M
roduced for the campaigns in Algeria and Italy Is very
lt and especiav calcula ted for field service in warm
climate or during campaign, 80 that the Ger
mans with their tight heavy coats, Will he under dis
advantage unless they leave their coats at home or on
the baggage teams and fight either IN blouses or IN shirt
sleeves The oyercoat, used for protection against the
rain and cold nights the I'm the French as IN the
German army The military cap OF the French, while
undoubtedly lighter and comfortable than the Ger
man helmet doe, not afford equal protection against rain
and wind and lnst the sahrecuts OF the cavalry As
regards the armament there is now hut little dC't tlat
although the chasepot may be superior at long range
when carefully handled K bears comparison with tle
uccdle-n in general Engagement at shorter distance
In fact il is generally conceded that the PruSsans have
had out-andout the best Of it in shooting far. The
French are generally bad maIksmen; they hardy know
how 10 take good aim, and appear 10 take parucuir
pleasure in wasting ammunition. They advance rapidly
upon the enemy fire into the air 20 no purpose whatever
and when sufficiently near may be easily routed bya
wclldrectcd fire from strictly disciplined enemy, es-
pccially when followed by firm charge N the bayonet.
The pied decidedly the hest par Of the
French infantry ud are decidedly preferable in any -
rous engagement and i'm open battle 10 the much
vaunted Laucers and Turkos The four light infantry
regiments II the Imperial Guard, ana the twenty
batiaons Chasseurspied constitute the now'r oi te
French infantry but they cannot compete with The
German Chasseurs aud Fusi,ilrs in rapidy and accn'
raey OF firing
The lftraHlcusc OF which we have heard much
lately Is found 70 of but little practical use In Tie
field and il "a already rumOred that the French VIII n
nouucc it before the campaign is over. is transport
tion across the country il difficult and it Is not ea9
lrough, utoposition. Wherever it can he made a'ai'
able, % Light rGcd piece OF artillery does much D'''''
service.
The French infantry are generally good skirmh hers
especially the veterans who have served in Algeria I'9
likewise excel IN the rapid hudingup Of camps siIi.ns
Of tents ans their peculiar adaptation 20 camp Ire bu
on the field battle they lack precision IN all movements
in closed columns. ana, although apparently s"' III NV
ton. they in all their eyoutons decidedly lnien"
their German antagonists. The outpost service = De
imperfecy and uegli gently attended TO- ana fien'"
fantry can he but very little r,lcG upon IN an u't
tacks .
The FrenchIariilcry forms, beyond all DOUBT 'V -,
disciplined branch OF the army. The onc'is i' .1 -
without exception men of theoretical kno""us -,
fair practical experience. while the ra"N ~ -tg,Ied
composed Of robust, picked men. The pr"'o ,.
German artillerists will nnd them {, DO Noi'n' 80,
onists with whom Il will be an honor ana "'"e"s ~ 80
vie in skin and dariug on the battlefield fI"",o
undoubtedly brought into action heavy 'o'.o -.
lery and Il Il more than probable that iuAp 49, '',,
OF the entire contingent Of the rtshl" d. '' -,
tptirs with Qi2 hell-peces) Is now lhu'"''''e I'll
against the Prussan lines. The FItnch ""'o
riacd cannon. made after the model in'en~a w ~