The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-18

anu Qeedle-gun, where O man could kill
ct 1900 yards, he fred upon ON individ.
unl enemy; he could select him. It had
become an exact mechanical task for the
soldier to kill his enemy. He General
b. had one advice which lie constantly
gave to his soldiers on every occasion; il
was his dogma, his constant remark
whenever he had tho opportunity to
speak to the private soldier: "6re low
and fro SLOW"
The common fault of the soldier in the
use of musketry was throwing the eye
on the sight at the extremity of his wea-
pom; thus instinctively, unconsciousIy~
it being below the Lowell of the eye-to
raise it too high; and the detection of q
hairs breadth in any OF the modern arms
of long range made all the difference in
the world. The obvious remedy was the
double sight near tho brecch to correct
this instructive elevation of the piece.
But, above all, deliberate firing had been
his point Of instruction.. Modern war
was becoming an affair Of death dealing
machinery; it abolished much Of the ro-
nance and cLivalry Of arms; but, after
ali, the speaker came back to the leading
idea, that the close competitions of mod
ern war were to bo decided by mechani-
cal differences. these sometimes of the
slightest description; and that o single
defect III the French military system
might supply all the explanation that
public curiosity has needed for their Sc
rics Of defeats.
In tho conclusion OF the conversation
General Beauregard remarked that he
thought Prussia would prove generous
enemy. and would not exact huniliations.
He spoke with great feeling Of the un-
worthy frenzy of the French people to-
wards the unhappy Emperor, even climb
ing Gve-story houses to tear down the
arms and insignia of his empire! Ma
poleon had given France not only pres
tigc, but development and prosperity
the most undoubted. Ho could testify
visiting France in 1866, that there was
not q happier people in Europe-"even
happier than the romantic peasantry Of
England"
General, what do yon think of Tro-
chu. Governor of Paris? The attention
of the whole world has been suddenly
drawn upon man of whom I never
heard before"
General Beauregard-W sir, he
may be 'the coming man." know his
record we'll; he is ono of the most tho
rough soldiers in France-a man who
adopted that deliberate, characteristic
choice of the thorough eoldier to serve
up through all the subordinate grades of
the French army. Remarkable of him,
he made himself unpopular in the French
army for his freedom and independence
in pointing out what he thought the de-
fects of it's system. The French, nice
and exacting in every other affair of life,
pride themselves on not giving attention
to military details. General Trochu has
had the boldness to criticise repeatedly
that affected magnanimity that neglects
details, and that has often lost the great
opportunities of history. He is the re-
putcd author Of the remarkable military
views just showed you in The Pal Nal
Gasstte. Curiously enough, France has
not been fortunate in her recent military
traditions. They are those of Algeria,
China, Mexico; in every instance Tex
cepting Solferino) that Of IN inferior
and despised enemy easily conquered by
that system Of attack in which the qua
lily Of the soldier is elan, dash, q sudden
enthusiasm rather than the quiet, sedu-
lcus confidence of the man behind the
machine who is taught the yaluc of posi-
ton, and the virtue Of perfect self
possession.