The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-09

STIN OF dctlOH the CdSS uSLIdnOS" lie has
the power even to go beyond the regula-
tions in circumstances of urgency and
pressing necessity. The extraordinary
measures he may take on these occa-
sions may require their execution without
delay. The staff officer has but one duty
before obeying, and that is TO submit
his observations to the general aud TO
ask his orders in writing. With this
formality his responsibility ceases, and
the responsibility for the extraordinary
act falls solely on the general who gives
the order. The officers and agents
charged with supplies are placed under
the orders of the general in command of
the troops, that is, they are obliged both
in war and peace to obey, with the single
qualification above named, Of first max
ing their observations and securing the
written order of the general"
With US to-day, the law and regula-
tions are that no matter what may be
the emergency, the commanding general
in Texas, New Mexico, and the remote
frontiers, cannot draw from the arsenals
a pistol cartridge, or any sort of ord
nance stores, without first procuring an
order of the Secretary of War in Wash
ington. The commanding general
though intrusted with the lives of his
soldiers and with the safety of a frontier
in a condition of chronic war-cannot
touch or be trusted with ordnance stores
or property, and that is declared to be
the law. Every officer of the old army
remembers how in 1861 we were ham
pered with the old blue army regula-
tions, which tied our hands, and that to
do anything positive and necessary we
had to tear it all to pieces-cut the red
tape as it was called-a dangerous thing
for an army to do, and was calculated to
bring the law and authority into con-
tempt; but war was upon us, and over
whelming necessity overrides all law.
The subordinates of our staff corps
and departments are selected and chosen
from the armv itself or fresh from West
Point, and too commonly construe them
selves into the "elite," as made Of better
clay than the common soldier. Thus
they separate themselves more and more
from the comrades of the line, and in
process of time realize the condition of
that old officer of artillery who thought
the army would be delightful place
for gentleman if it were not for the
id soldier; or better still, the con-
clusion of the young lord in Henry ",
who told Harry Percy (Hotspur) "that
but for these vile guns he himself would
have been soldier" This is all wrong;
utterly at variance with our democratic
form of government and of universal ex-
perience; and now that the French
from whom we had copied the system
have utterly "proscribed" it, I hope that
our Congress will follow suit. 1 admit
in its fullest force the strength of the
maxim that the civil law should be 'su-
perior to the military in time of peace,
that the army should be at all times
subject to the direct control of Congress,
and assert that from the formation of
our Government to the present day, the
regular army has set the highest exam
pie of obedience to the law and authori-
ty. But for the very reason that our
army is comparatively so very small, l
hold that it should be the best possible,
organized and governed on true military
principles, and that in time of peace we
should preserve the "habits und usages"
of war, so that when war does come, we
may not again be compelled'to suffer
the disgrace, confusion, and disorder of
1861.
THE GENERAL.
1t is related of Napoleon that his last
words were "Tetc-d -d'-Armee." Doubt
less as the shadow of death obscured his
memory, the last thought that remained
for speech was of some event when he
was directing an important "head of col
umn." 1 believe that every general
who has handled armies in battle must
tensity Of thought on some similar occa-
sion, when by single command he had
given the finishing stroke to some COM
plicated action, but to me recurs anoth-
er thought that is worthy of record, and
may encourage others who are to follow
US in our profession. 1 never saw the
rear of an army engaged in battle but l
feared that some calamity had happened
at the front. The apparent confusion,
broken wagons, dead horses, men lyin g
about dead and manned, parties hasten
ing to and fro in seeming disorder and a
general apprehension of something
dreadful about to ensue-all these signs,
| however, lessened as / neared the front,
and there the contrast was perfect, per
feet order, men and horses full of conf
dence, and it was not unusual for gener-
al hilarity, laughing and cheering. AL
though cannon might be firing, the mus
| kerry Gathering, and the enemy's shot
hitting close, there reigned a general
feeling of strength and security that
bore a marked contrast to the bloody
signs that had drifted rapidly to the rear
therefore, for comfort and safety, sure.
ly would rather be at the front line than
the rear line of battle. So also on the
march, the head of the column moves
on steadily, whilst the rear is alternate
ly halting and then rushing forward tc
close up the gap, and all sorts of rumort
especially the worst, float back to the
rear. Old troops invariably deem it q
special privilege to be in the front, to bC
at the "head of the column" because ex
perience has taught them that it is the
easiest and most comfortable place, anC
danger only adds zest and stimulus t,
this fact.
The hardest task In war is to lie il
support of some position or battery un
der fire without the privilege of return
ing it; or to guard some train left in tn
rear within hearing, but out of reach o
danger; or to care for the wounded an,
dead of some corps which is too bus.
ahead to care for their own.