Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-12-18
Commanding am Army.
BY GEN. SHERMAN.

BY GhN. SHERMAN.
1t is related Of Napoleon that his last J
words were " Tete d'armee" Doubtless
as the shadow of death obseured his mem
ory. the last thought that remained for
some event, when he was directing au inn
portant "head of column" | believe that
every general who has handled armies in
battle, must recall, from his own expert
ence the intensity of thought on some
similar occasion, when, by single com
mand he had given the finishing stroke
to some complicated action; butte me oc-
ours the thought that is worthy of record
and may encourage Others who areto fol.
low us in our profession. | never saw
the rear of an army engaged in battle,
but | had feared that some calamity had
happened at the front. The apparent
confusion, broken wagons, dead horses,
men lying about dead and manned, par
ties Fastening to and fro in seeming dis
order, and general apprehension of |
something dreadful about to ensue--all |
these signs lessened however, as neared |
the front, and there the contrast was per-
feet perfect order men and horses full
of confidence, aid it was not unus-
ual for general hilarity, laughing and
cheering. Although the cannon might
be firing, the musketry clattering and
the cannon shot hitting close, there was
general feeling of strength and security
rhat bore marked contrast to the bloody
signs that had drifted rapidly to the rear;
therefore, for comfort and safety / surely
would rather be at the front than the
rear line of battle. So also on the march
the head column moves on steadily
while the rear is alternately halting and
then rushing forward to fill up the gap
and all sorts of rumors, especially the
worst, float back to the rear. Old troops
invariably deem it special privilege
to be at the head of column" because
experience has taught them that it is the
easiest and most comfortable place, and
danger only adds zest and stimulus to
, this fact. The hardest task in war is to
lie in support of some position or battery
under fire without the privilege of return
> ing it or to guard some train left in the
5 rear within hearing, but out of reach of
danger or to take care of the wounded
and dead for corps which is too busy
to take care of its own. To be at the
head of strong column of troops, in
the execution Of some task that requires
brain, is the highest pleasure of war, a
: grim one and terrible, but which leaves
: on the mind and memory the strongest
' mark to detect the weak point of the
! enemy's line to break through with ve-
e hemence and thus lead to victory or to
d discover some key point and hold it with
n tenacity or to do some other distinct
: real cause of success these all become
: matters that are never forgotten. Other
great difficulties experienced by every
u great general are to measure truly the
thousand and one reports that come to
g him in the midst of conflict, to preserve
g clear and well defined purpose at every
0 instant of time, and to cause all efforts
d to converge to that end. To do these
!, things he must know perfectly the strengh
y and quality of each part of his own army,
!, as well as of his opponents. and must be
r where he can personally see and observe
r with his own mind. No man can prop.
y erly command an army from the rear
d he must be at its front :" and where a
detachment is made, the commander
9 thereof should be informed of the object
o to be accomplished, and left as free as
IS possible to execute it in his own way,
e and when an army is divided up into
L several parts the superior should always
e attend that one which is most important.
3. Some men think that modern armies
: may be soregulated that a general can sit
r in an office and play on his several col
Z umns as on the keys of piano. This is
: a fearful mistake. The directing mind
e must be at the very head of the army
7 must be seen there, and the effect of his
mind and personal energy must be felt
by every officer and man present with it,
to secure the best results. Every attempt
to make war easy and safe will result in
humiliation and disaster.
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