Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-10-22
COMMANDING An ARMY.

LII is T6laC6u Vi NdpOltOu Guot LILO 1eso' VIZ ~S
were "Tete darmee." Doubtless as the shad"
ow of death obscured his memory, the last
thought that remained for speech was Of some
event, when he was directing an important
"head of column" I believe that every gen.
eral who has handled armies in battle, must
recall from his own experience the intensity
of thought on some similar occasion, when by
a single command he had given the finishing
stroke to some complicated action but to me
recurs the thought that is 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 1 feared some
calamity had happened at the front. The ap.
parent confusion, broken wagons, dead horses,
men lying about dead and manned, parties
fastening to and fro, in seeming disorder, and
general apprehension of something dreadful
about to ensue-all these signs, however, les.
sened as neared the front, and there the con:
trast was perfect; perfect order, men and
horses full of confidence, and it was not unu'
sual for general hilarity, laughing and cheer
ing. Although the cannon might be firing,
the musketry clattering, and the cannons shot
hitting close there reigned 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 I surely would rather be at the front
line than the rear line of battle So also on
the march, the head of 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 special privilege to be in the front,
to be at the "head of column" because expe.
rience 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 returning it; or to guard
some train left in the rear within hearing but
out of the reach of danger or to care for
the wounded and dead of some corps which is
too busy ahead to care for its own. 10 be al
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 an enemy's line; to break
through with vehemence and thus lead to vic
tory or to discover some key point and hold
it with tenacity; or to do some other distinct
act that is afterward recognized as the real
cause of success. These all become matters
that are never forgotten. Other great diff
culties, experienced by every general, are tc
measure truly the thousand and one reports
that come to him in the midst of conflict, tc
preserve clear and we'll defined purpose al
every instant of time, and to cause all efforts
to converge to that end To do these things
he must know perfectly the strength and
quality If each part of his own army, as well
as of his opponent, and must be where ne can
personally see and observe with his own eyes
and Judge with his own mind. No man can
properly command an army from therear; ; he
must be "at its 'front.'" and when o detach.
ment is made, the commander thereof should
be informed of the object to be accomplished
and left as free as possible to execute it in his
own way and when an army is divided up
into several parts the superior should always
attend that one which he regards as most I'M
portant. Some men think that modern ar.
mics may be so regulated that general can
sit in an office and play on his several columns
as on the keys of a piano. This is 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 by every officer and man present
with it, to secure the best results. Every at
tempt to make war easy and safe will result
in humiliation and disaster.--Gen. Sherman.