The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-07-05
MARK TWAIN AT HARTFORD.
Response to Toast at the Reunion
of the Army of the Potomac on the
9th Inst.
MA RK TwA1N's RESPONSE,

cious training" Mr.. Samuel L. Clemens
MARK Twain) responded as follows:
"Let but the thoughtful civilian instruct the
soldier IN his duties, and the victory is sure."-
Martin Farquhar Tupper on the Art of War.
Mr. CHAIRMAN-I gladly join with my fel-
low tow nsmen in extending hearty welcome
to these illustrious generals and these war
Scared soldiers of the republic This is a
proud day for us, and, if the sincere desire of
our hearts has been fulfilled, it has not been
an unpleasant day for them. l am in full ac-
cord, sir, with the sentiment Of the toast, for
have always maintained with enthusiasm
til 't>the only wise and true way is for the
soldier to fight the battle and the unprejudiced
civilian totell him how to do it. Yet when
was invited to respond to this toast,
and furnish this advice and instruction, l was
almost as much embarrassed as was gratifed,
for could bring to this great service but the
one virtue of absence of prejudice and set
opinion. Still, but one other qualification
was needed, and it was only Of minor i'm
portance. Imean, knowledge of the subject.
Therefore | was not disbeartened for c. uld
acquire that, there being two weeks to spare,
A general OF high rank in this army of the
Potomac said two weeks was really more than
l would need, for that purpose. He had
known people of my style who had learned
enough in forty eight hours to enable them
to advise an army. Aside from the compli-
ment this was gratifying, because it confirm
ed All opinion had before. He told me to
go to the United States military academy at
West Point, and said, in his nowery, profess
sional way, that the cadets would ''load me
up" L Went there and stayed two days, and
his prediction proved to be correct. | make
no boast OF my own aCCOunt-nOne. All
know about military matters got from the
gentlemen al West Point and to them belongs
the credit. They treated me with courtesy
from the first, but when my mission was re-
yealed, this mere courtsey blossomed into the
warmest zeal. Everybody, officers, and all
put down their work and turned their atten-
ton to giving NE military information. Every
question asked was promptly and exhaust
lively answered; therefore l feel proud to
state that in the advice which | am about 10
give you as soldiers, am backed up by the
highest military authority in the lard-yes
in the world, if an American does say it
West Point
To begin, gentlemen, when an engagement
is medltated, it is best to feel the enemy
first, that is,if it is night, for as one of the ca
diets explained to me, you do not need TO feel
him in the day time, because you can see him
then. l never should have thought of that,
but it is Unexpectedly true. In the day
time the methods of procedure are various,
ou@Suo oSS', IL oSehie W iio, 10 oho " ii'eh was
.',a ..S.ouussu Wy uen. uiahI' "el. ulan' al
ways sen. an act.Ve young iliai, feuouot 10 re-
connoitre and get the enemy's bearing. got
this from high officer at the Point, who told
me he used to be redoubt OH Gen. Grants
staff, and had done it often, When the hour
III .ns osIt'e @ 10 co'iie' move " Ihe ne!u WIN
~ a~ay ~ ..lne: onee, tn's heao
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