The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-11-17
PrusSian Sham Fights Mimic War
Played with EarnestneSs.

The Prussian mannuvres last from a
week to a fortnight, and they resemble,
in every respect, the operations of real
war, with the exception that only blank
cartridge is used and the contending
forces do not cross swords or bayonets.
In every other particular no trouble is
spared TO make these "dress rehearsals'
as much like the real thing as possible.
The troops, which are divided into two
nearly equal bodies, placed under COM
manders who, within the limits of the
general plan, are intrusted with full
discretionary powers as to movements,
take the field in regular service order
and without tents, and each army as.
sumes a strategical position having ref
erence to its supposed and pre-arranged
object. Here it may be remarked that
the object which each army is to strive
to attain is the only thing which is set
tied beforehand. Every morning "tiie
general idea" of the days work is dis
tributed among the officers, each of
whom is provided with field-glass and
large-scale map of the district. Thus,
instruction is not confined to general
and staff officers but every one has an
opportunity of profiting by the ma
nRuvre. By this means not only is the
instruction impaired even TO the young
est subaltern, but his intelligent coop
Grafton is secured. Every appliance,
every precaution required in actual war
is made use of. Field telegraphs, pa
trolls, "Reminiscences, outposts, are all
employees and parties, single officers,
videttes and orderlies are, whenever OPP
off
eagerness as if real enemy were in
front. Consequently it becomes as diff
fcult to obtain intelligence as it would
be in real campaign. We learn that
an adventurous general who approached
too near the opposite force was so closely
chased by detachment Of cavalry that
he only escaped capture by riding Cross
country as for his life, and that some Of
his staff, worse horsemen or worse
mounted than some Of their compan-
ions, were actually made prisoners.
Every elevated SCOT of ground, each
steeple in front of the armies, is occu-
pied by officers who, with field glass to
the eye, scan every approach with the
closest attention. Every moment either
signals or written or verbal reports res
pecting the movements of the enemy
arrive from the front, aud stranger
finding himself suddenly in the midst
Of the troops would imagine that in
few minutes q genuine general action
would take place. The Prussian mill
tary train, re inforced by few country
carts, brings up supplies, and, indeed,
every department of the army performs
its work precisely in the same manner
as on service. Signs are erected in GER
tain spots, which signify that those
spots are to be avoided, if possible; but
no consideration of trespass or damage
of crops is allowed for an instant to
hamper the necessary movements of
the troops. At the close of the day the
damage done by the army is assessed by
q mixed board of civilians and officers,
and the amount is paid within short
period afterwards. AS matter of fact,
the total amount OF compensation is
not very large, owing to the season Of
the year selected for the manpuvres.
Care is always taken to protect the in
habitants from every annoyance which
can be saved them. For instance, in
the defense of village or farm the
men stand against the outer walls of
the houses, and are not allowed to enter
them.
The great feature in the Prussian
maneuvres is the appointment Of UNI
pires. Without them, indeed, there
would be endless confusion, numerous
disputes and very little profit. The
king or senior general is the umpre-in-
chief or final referee, and he is assisted
by certain number Of officers of suffi-
Gent rank and approved excellence.
These umpres, distinguished by white
band round the arm, and each attended
by couple of dragons, post them.
selves here and there on the high
ground between the two armies. They
have full power to order the troops to
retire given distance, to remain halted
for given time or, in case of assumed
capture, to take no further part in the
day's operations. While an umpire is
engaged in considering case, the con-
tending forces in the part of the field
are bound to remain stationary, the
officers sheathing their swords, to indi-
cate a suspension Of hostilties. 1t is
also the duty of the umpire to check
apv breach of the rules laid down, or
10 put stop to any manifest absurdi-
t;es-absurdities which can scarcely be
guarded against without umpires, and
which have for years been the chic,
characteristics of our few sham fights.
In Prussia skirmishers are not allowed
TO push on as if the fire OF the enemy
caused no delay; lines are not permit
ted to approach nearer than sixty yards.