The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-10-23
HEAD OF THE COLUMN.
Sherman's Opinion of n Generals N.
Ties In Battle a Graphic Picture.

1t is related of Napoleon that his last
words were '.Tete-d -Armee Doubtless,
as the shadow of death obscured his
memory, the last thought that remained
for speech was of some event. when he
he was directing an important head of
column" l believe that every General
who has handled armies in battle must
recall from his own experience the in
tensity of thought on some similar occa-
sion, when by a single command he had
gwen the finishing stroke TO some COM
plicated action; but to me occurs anoth-
er thought worthy of record, and may
encourage Others who are TO follow us in
our profession. L never saw the rear of
an army engaged in battle, but | feared
that some calamity had happened in the
front. The apparent confusion, broken
wagons, dead horses, men lying about
dead or MANNED, parties fastening 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; perfect order,
men and horses full cf confidence and it
was not unusual for general hilarity,
laughing and cheering. Although the
cannon might be firing, the musketry
gathering and the cannon's shot hitting
close, there reigned a general feeling of
strength and security that bore mark
ed contrast TO the bloody signs that had
drifted rapidly to the rear; therefore EOr
comfort and safety / surely would rath-
er be at the front line than the rear line
of battle. So also on the march, the
head of the column moves on steadily,
while the rear is alternately halting and
then rushing forward to close up the gap;
and all sorts of rumOrs, especially the
worst, float back to the rear. Old troops
invariably deem it a special privilege to
be in the front, 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 sup
port of some position or battery under
fire, without the privilege of returning
1t; or to guard same train left in the rear
within hearing. but out of reach of dan
ger: or to care for the wounded and
dead or some corps which is too busy
ahead to care for its own.
To be at the head of a strong column
of troops, in the execution of some task
that requires brain, IS the highest pleas
ure of war, grim one and terrible. but
which leaves Oh the mind and memory
the strongest mark; to detect the weak
point of the enemy's line: to break
through with vehemence and thus lead
to victory; or to discover some key point
and hold it with tenacity; or to do some
other distinct act that is afterward rec
ogniZed as the real cause of success
These all become matters that are never
forgotten. Other great difficulties expe-
rienced by every General are to measure
truly the thousand and one reports that
come to him in the midst of conflict. TO
preserve clear and well-defined pur-
pose at every instant of time. and TO
cause all effort to converge to that end.
TO do these things he must know per-
fectly the strength and quality of each
part of his own army as well as of his
opponent, and must be where he can
personally see and observe with his own
eyes, and judge with his own mind.
No man can properly command an
army from the rear; he must be ''at his
'front.'" and when detachment is made,
the commander thereof should be in
formed of the object to be accomplished,
and left as free as possible to execute it
in his own way, and when an army is di-
vided up in several parts, the superior
should always attend that one which he
regards as most important Some men
think that modern armies may be so reg
ulated that General can sit in his office
and play on his several columns as on
the keys of piano. This is a fearful
mistake. The directing mind must be
at the very head of the army-must be
seen there, and the effect of his mind
and personal energy must be felt be every
officer and man present with il, TO secure
the best results. Every attempt to make
war easy and safe Will result in humiIia-
ton and disaster