The New York herald., 1876-07-12
West Point Strategy and Indian
Strata gem.

We can readily understand why the art
Of war should form the chief study at
special educational establishment such as
West Point Academy There the military
science is taught in all its details, according
to system which has no superior in tha
world. The graduates leave the ranks Of
the cadet corps accomplished soldiers in all
that relates to the theory Of their profession.
They understand the intricate mannuvres OF
armies, corps, divisions, brigades and regi-
ments, as we'll as the various details Of
guard duty and the school of the soldier.
They can trace the flight of q hundred
FOUNDER she'll in algebraic symbols on the
blackboard and solve ths knottiest problems
of military law with equal facility.
All these accomplishments are an excel
lent foundation for q successful military
career, if ever the necessity arises for the
services of these students against regular
armies led by officers similarly trained; but
we submit that such an education of itself
does not fit them to cope with such an ad-
versary as the Western Indian, and, what il
more, it tends to unfit them for such a SER
vice. We referred in q recent article to the
indignant protests Of an old Austrian
theorist against the outrageous violations Of
the fundamental rules of military science by
the young Napoleon. Melas believed in
regular advances in perfect formation elabo-
rate countermarches, strategic retreats and
cautious groupings after the enemy. Napo-
Icons tactics were limited to the delivery OF
terrific blows by his storming columns OF
ragged, shoeless and often starving enthu-
siasts his strategy to meeting his enemy'G
columns and beating them in detail.
Now, it is regrettable tn t our generals
will not profit by this historic lesson when
fighting the Indian Napoleon, and adapt
their strategy to the system of warfare fol-
lowed by the redskins. The Indians plan
of warfare is simple and effective. He bu-
res his impedimentE, the squaw and the pap
poose. in the rugged recesses of the noun
tains and starts or the warpath free to fight
or to fly. just as fortune favors or compels
him. -ne mobility of his force is immense.
He is compelled of necessity to keep con-
stantly moving because his offensive and de-
fensive strength depends mainly on the con-
dition of his ponies, and these must eat
grass to live. This forage abounds on the
Western plains, it is true, but the vast herds
of cattle and Indian horses soon eat up the
supply on large area. He must manmuvre
along the water courses in summer and in
the sheltered valleys in winter He attack
with caution and retreats without any real
~f n.
cessful retreat as victory. He will not
await the drawing Of nets about him by skill
ful generals, because he is their superior in
stratagem and knowledge of the country.
He strikes with vigor and skill at transpor-
tation and provision trains, for he knows
their value to the white man; and for his own
use fold of his blanket is a sufficient
commissariat department for q long cam
paign. In word, he is constantly
moving objective point to his adverse
ries and TINS battles the most care.
fully laid schemes for his entrapment.
How, then, must the Indian be fought on his
own grounds Surely not by mathematics
and the higher branches of the art of war.
The chief of the Northern Sioux lauchs
at ''converging columns" and rubs his
dusky hands with glee at the sight OF
mule trains. The first give him revenge and
scalps, the others supplies. While Terry
and Gibbon are holding protrac.ed councils
OF war and making new plans" Sitting Bull
is probably stampeding the last mule from
Crooks camp and preparing another mas
sacre.
We must therefore, change our strategy
altogether or rather abandon it for tho 6rst
principles of Indian campaigning. There
must be but ono ''plan" and that of the