The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-21
SABRE AND BAYONET.
FIFTH AvxSus, NEW York, July Is. 1877

FIFTH Avgxus NEW YoRK, July Is, 1878.
10 TEE EDITOR THE HEsALD:-
l notice that an important discussion has been nk
tiated by the General OF the Army upon recommea-
aation Of tho Cnief Of Ordnance that the sabre and
bayonet should cease to form part Of the armament
OF our troops. General Sherman has wisely called
Tor the viows OF officers oil line, who speak ~
experts, and commanders whose mon are thus armed.
As tho ultimate decision OF the may snect
tho minlia oil this and other States have noticed
tho correspondence upon the subject published durns
the last Two montns ~ tho Army and Navy Journal
setting aside The opinions all but cavalry and In
lantry officers the weight OF testimony 10 in favor Of
the retention OF these time honored weapons. The
Chief OF Ordnance, General Benet, dwsils upon the
comparatively small percentage OF sabre and bayones
wounds in recent wars, aud believes that improved
firearms have greatly neutraiizsd, II they nave NOS
entirely superseded colo STEEL and points out the
greater economy 10 result from change proposed.
a prominent stan officer thinks the sabrs should
Ds dropped a. an obsolete ~s "se , sns
snail tail wlthout witnessing death agony
from gaping sabre cut or quivsrng upon tue
swords point, and would substitute a. = badge
Of authority Tor officers ''trunchson," but some.
what ,nconsstenty ~oua rctain tho pAyosst a. useful
would drop Tue sabre unless troop. wsrs
Thoroughly traiaed ~ It's use; although seldom
occasion. wnsn this weapon Is useful such a. night
attacks, surprises. riots az. and beiisves tine Gus.
tor massacre gave lease oil lie 10 tue sabre "
Several artillery aud Infantry officers would dispense
with sabre altogether
On the other hand most OF The cavalry oihcerss
headed by General Wssley Merritt-wno was Sner-
idan's rignt bower duriny the civil war and h now
Colonel oil the Finn cAvairy--strongIy oppose The
change. General Merritt claims that the number OF
ktIisd Ia lair test oil the value oil
weapon, but Father The pumovr captured ny its USE
Inaan warfare the only use Tor cavalry. ana tho
loss VI death cavalry charges IN fuur
tsndency OF improved hrvArins Is ~ keep troops
great distance apart anu WITHOUT OCCASIONAL cous
sions-nsud 70 hand--thers IL loss oI morale
Auv, her officer 'is hrmIy convinced that 10 sub.
yt,tute the caruine or The pistol tor the sabre In Z
mouutsd light VIII always result Ia d'ssstsr" General
Howard holds The tho sabre uAakes soldier
more conndeut aud improves his horscuisnshipi also
that Charge with subres when the ground admits, IL
" elective against m0unteu Indians ~ against Con-
iedsra,e cavalry Not the least convincing or vAua-
bic tesnvpy favor OF the oayonet ~ that oil leu-
tenant Grssu corps oil suginosrs, military attnchS
Win the Russian army during ths lAte cauipaiya on
the Danube. He gives humorous instances oi s use
vi critical moments ana quoes General Skooeien -
show several recent battles were actually decidsd
w The bay Duet he also says that The German
oincsss has met Coua not 10 iua ucsa w ANY
consideration TO pAit with II. IL would seem, then,
tafy achieved py The use oil sabre Or oaysues
n would be ~ wise discard either Aud although
The genera character OF American military oporAoIs
| may he unlike those Of kutops We must re member
thai nowhere Tho conditions more varied ana un-
prxccdeuted under which our soldiers may
be nght and mat Increased Father shan
reduced armament would seem necessary, including
| We pops suited to every contingency.
the DISCUSSION has developed Inc want oil more
complete oil Instruction Tor ina roops, esps-
c,ay ~ regards norssmanship rine prsc'es and
| sxurs sxsre.sa T. y. H., U. y. A.