Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-09

their own responsibility. They must send out
scouts to obtain information as to the exact po-
stio2s taken up by the other side must decide
for themselves on what points they will deliver
their assault or concentrate their Defence and
must keep continually on the alert by night as
well as day, in order to guard against surprise,
and be ready to take advantage of any rash or
laundering movement of the enemy The
duke of Cambridge, as / have said, is chief
umpire, and decides with whom the victory of
the day is rested. He is assisted by a very dis
tinguishcd and able staff in the discharge OF this
duty, which involves the settlement of great
many delicate and difficult questions, such as
how fast the troops may advance under artil-
lerv fire, assuming il to be real and not blank
cartridge) whether the regular rules of war
fare are observed as in the field, when body of
men may be supposed to have been cut off,
and so on. All these arrangements are modelled
very closely on those of the grand maneuvreS
of the Prussian army. The employment of UNI
pires is supposed to give zest TO the game-it
makes the difference between playing for stakes
and playing for fun. But ii has its disadvan-
tages. Human nature being what it is, the de-
ciSon of the umpireS is sure to be resented on
one side or the other. No amount of reasoning
will ever convince a soldier that he is beaten,
and English soldiers have traditional reputa-
ton for stubbornness in resisting this conyic-
ton. A great deal of jealousy, heart-burning
and ranking sense OF injustice, will, am
afraid, attend the verdicts of the military Jury.
In Prussia, this has certainly been found to be
the case, and have heard high authorities who
have had good opportunities of studying the
working of the system, pronounce against it on
this ground. Besides, it is scarcely possible, in
certain cases, to give far decision. move.
ment may be rea> Onable or unreasonable, just
according to the amount of dash and dcvltry
with which it is performed. And how is this to
be determined except by the actual crossing of
bayonets or pelting fire? In mimic warfare
everything is in favor of the commander who
acts strictly according TO established rules.
There is no room for the display of the inspira-
ton of genius which has so often determined not
only the fate OF battle but of campaign.
Such movements as those of the PrusSianS at
Spicheren and GravelOtte would | am afraid, he
condemned by a jury Of cooked hats in make
believe fight.
A distinguished body of officers of all ma
lions has been collected at AlderShot, on the in-
vitation OF the cOmmander-in-chief, to witness
the manoeuvres. They are lodged at the Queens
hotel, and are entertained in very good style.
Each morning they have horses and carriages
at command, in order TO visit the most inter-
eSting point of the days proceedings. Major
General J. G. b Barnard and Captain S. S. Sum
ner represent the United States; General
Blumenthal, who was chief of staff to the
crown prince of Prussia during the late war,
and Major Won Alien, one Of the emperor OF
Germany's adiutants, have come over from
Berlin; Austria, Portugal Russia, Spain and
critics are naturally very reserved in the eX-
preston of their opinions, and, like the sailors
parrot, don't say much but "think great deal
They prefer to point out to their hosts the pleas
ant aspects of the campaign, and to say all the
good they can. But, from all | hear, there is
plenty of room for criticisms of all kinds, and
some friends have let out some hints of this.
One of the Prussian officers has expressed de-
cided opinion that Englishmen waste too much
time and trouble OH mere show, brushing up
- H.
a coffee kettle or some piece of bright drawing
room furniture And, to certain extent, he is
right. fancy there is apt to be something de-
moralizng in letting the troops 90 about any
how and that smartness has high moral
value. But surely sufficient smartness could
be obtained without so much securing and
pipe-cay. What can be more absurd than to
see a soldier compelled to get up at an earlier
hour than would otherwise be necessary, in or
der 10 rub damp pipe-clay into his belts or
gloves, and then put the things aside to dry, so
ms to be ready for parade? A shower
of rain plays sad havoc with an equip
ment got up in this fashion, and the
nasty white stuff comes off on his coat or
breecheS and makes more work for him in
brushing it out of the cloth. About half the
troops now carry the new infantry wallet slung
round the back instead of perched on the nape
of the poor fellows neck; but those who are
still condemned to the old pack suffer not only
from the uncomfortable position in which it is
adjusted, but from the tight straps round his
armpits, which are used TO keep it steady. And
yet again, regiments are still TO be seen choked
with the tight, hard throaf-cutting leather
stocki Its use is discouutenanced by the more
intelligent officers, but martinetS of the old
school seem to have discretionary power of in
ficting this cruel and wanton punishment on
their unfortunate men. Another point to which
foreign criticisms have been directed is the care
lessneSS of our troops in regard TO exposing
themselves to an enemy's fire. They never seem
to pick their ground in order to take advantage
Of cover, or throw up little lines of earth or clay
to protect skirmishers. The artillery seems to
have excited good deal of legitimate admira-
leaders, breech-loaders having been generally
condemned, as in many ways inconvenient and
even dangerous.
THE HUMoRs OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Of course there are plenty of stories in Cir
culatiOn through the various camps. AT Hart
ford Flats, the Prince of Wales took it into his
head to go round the lines one night with his
aide-de-camp. AS he passed one of the militia
sentries, who was slouching about with his gun
under his arm, the fellow made no salute but
Just stared at him. Don't they teach you to
salute a general offieerH asked the Prince.
"Well," said the militia man very cody, "now
you mention it think they do. But you came
round the corner IN such a deuced hurry, hadn't
time to do it, and it isn't worth while now"
Another miliha-man who was on sentry duty
challenged some one who was passing through
the camp, declaring that the sergeant had told
him he must not allow anybody to pass who did
not say Newcastle" That's the word, you
know" he added, innocently, and the intruder,
thus provided with the pass ofcourse mentioned
the name and went on Perhaps the best story,
however, is one which the Prussians brought
over An old general in their service the other
day addressed a regiment as follows :-"Now,
my men, we have got over the war, there is no
more fun for us, and we must settle down to
serious drill" Among the practical jokes of
the campaign has been the capturing of pris-
oners on both sides. The hussars have several
times been down on the "heavies," and the
temper of the Life Guards, still sore about the
stampede of their horses, has been further
ruffied by number of troopers and an officer
having been carried off prisoners by the enemy.
A militia regiment has also been surrounded by
the foe greatly TO its amaZement and disgust.
The colonel is reported to have said that he
didn't think this gentlemanly conduct on the
part OF the enemy, and that they should have
given warning when he should have put his
men in position to repe attack