Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-05-23
General Sheridan's Views of the Eu-
ropean War.

A reporter of the New York Times.
who saw General Sheridan on his re-
turn from Europe, says:
His views upon the European war
are most interesting and valuable.
He has travelled over very large
extent of the contested territory. and
examined many of the forts, earth
wora and strongholds. He was pres
ent at several of the principal bat
tle-fields, including GraveIotte, Se>
dan, and various localities around
Metz. While abroad he has met tho
most cordial and distinguished atten-
tons from all the authorities, and
received especial and marked court
estes from the Emperor of Germany,
King William, and his royal suit.
He is very careful and considerate in
the expression of opinion upon the
merits and comparison of the several
national armies. "Why," he said, in
response to a question from our re-
porter, "it is not an easy thing to
say who fights best. They are all
good soldiers. But there is a won
deriul difference in their respectiv Q
peculiarities. The Germans are ire
mendously stubborn, and stand fire
like wall of stone. The French
are more full of dash" lie does not
make any invidious comparisons.
The grand success of the Germans,
he says, was partly owing to the ex-
eelleHt training their officers have
received in military schools, and to
the splendid discipline of their men.
The same thing may be claimed by
the French. 1t is a wonder that the
latter have stood out as long as they
have. Their reverses are not due to
lack of prowess or skilled officers, but
political troubles at home. Place
both of those nations in the same
state they were five years ago, and
the present situation might be very
greatly changed. Then, again. there
IS the questson of arms. The needle
gun is OF immense power. SO is the
Chassepot. But these do not excel
perfect gun Of our "Springfeld"
pattern. 1t is not fair to draw hasty
conclusions in these matters. The
campaigns are not comparable to
those OF our late war Their coun-
try is an older one. 1t has been
mapped out and surveyed, almost to
foot, for warlike operations. 1t is
all known. The roads are older and
better than ours. The territory is
more thickl y populated, and the bat
tle-helds in closer contiguity. Their
base of supplies and objective points
are OF easier range. Besides, they
have made war science for centu-
ries. Military schools abound Their
soldiers are more absolutely subserv-
lent than ours. They have drilled
reserves ready at all times-even in
peace. Our country is immense
with inferior and scattered roads.
The territory is not we'll known. We
have but one military school, with a
small number Of pupils, and small
standing army. But IN unlike oper-
atoms they have more red tape than
we do. There are many improves
ments suggested to US by their sys-
TENS. But, after all, there is no such
materia! as is found in the American
armies, They are composed of every
national ingredient, and have much
eminent talent from foreign schools.
Won Moltke is man of tremendous
inherent will. He moves large
bodies of men with rare success, and
handles them splendidly. He carries
out his plans as man recites some
thing thoroughly committed to mem
DRY. The King too, las a superb
judgment. The beauty Of the Prus-
sian military mind is it's great care
tuness' 1t is never hasty nor ill-ad-
vised. Possibly at Metz, had the
French people strong government,
and had their military leaders been
of the old Napoleonlc force and dash,
the fortune OF war might now be
vastly changed. Place those armies
here and they would be nonplussed
at the typographical difficulties we
overcame. There is nothing like
our army for our work. We have
an excellent system; but it needs
changes, and can be vastly benefited
by some of the European examples
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