The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-09
The Prussian Army After Jena.

Inc ICIlllS vi lltdCt w
after the Jena campaign, and the conse'
Quent conquest Of North Germany, al
lowed that army to consist OF only 42,O0l
men. But the conquerOr omitted to stpu'
late rs to how long each Of these mep
should serve. In order TO secure the means
of striking for independence on the
first favorable opportunity Scharn-
horst introduced the krdmper system,
by which certain number of sol
diers were always allowed TO go
home on furlOugh after a few months
drill, and recruits brought into the
ranks to supply their places. These were
in their turn sent away on Through,
and other recruits brought in for training.
Through this system, at the begnning OF
1913, not only could the regiments be filed
up to proper war strength, but 81 new bat
talions were raised from prepared soldiers.
This force, however. was insufficient for
the great struggle with Napoleon. so, early
in 1913. volunteer rifle detachments were
formed, which mustered together about TO-
900 men, and shortly afterward the raising
of the Landwehr was decreed, which, five
months after the issue OF the decree, was
able 10 take part in the war with strength
of $4,000 men. Thus in August, 1913,
Prussia possessed an army OF 100000 sol
diers, OF whom 10000 were ready to take
the field, while the remaining 5000 formed
reserved and garrison troops. This army
fought i'm the war of independence. and
formed the first nucleus OF the existing
military organization OF Germany. This
organization dates from a terrible misfor-
tune, of which the bitter experience has
4 I.r
stantly been improved, and with care
full study brought to such high pitch
Of excellence, that in 1866 il enabled the
Prussan forces TO march and conquer with
an almost miraculous rapidly, and TO
achieve in a few days the glories of the
seven weeks war. This organization, too.
empowered the German army i'm 1870 TO
etlace the memory Of Jena by laundering
on the attention OF the startled world the
suddenly decisive victories OF Worth,
Weissemburg, Grayelotte, and Sedan. and
to spring over the ruins OF the suburbs OF
Paris into the foremost place among the
armies of the earth. After Prussia, on the
fall OF the first Napoleon, regained her
position as a great power, her Gov
eminent considered ii necessary that
she should have an army OF a
strength prOportionate to that OF
other great powers, and decided that it,
muster-roll should include about half a
million OF men. At that time the other
great powers kept the majority OF their
Sodiery, IN peace rs well as in war, in the
ranks, and only allowed a few trained vet
Grams, who altogether amounted TO about
one-fourth OF the whole strength OF the
army, to be absent on furlough. Prussia
was then the smallest OF the great powers.
and had neither such large population
nor revenue as the others. Before the war
OF 1856 her area was but 1915 square
mlles-the yearly revenues came only
to about f2l 100000, the expendi-
ture OF the Government was ALWAYS
confined within its income, and the national
debt only amounted TO Ei2,000,000. The
army cost in time II peace only about Co.
100000, and the navy about fG, iJO, 900.
Thus Prussia in the first half of the nine
teenth century had never sufficient men
nor enough money TO maintain an army
on the ordinary system. She could i'm
peace keep together only a much smaller
portion Of her soldiery than her possible
enemies. Special means had 10 be adopt.
ca to meet her special circumstances.
10 supply war strength Of 800, 900
men the country was required every year
10 grant 10000 recruits. Each OF these
served Tor three years with the colors, and
ior TWO years in the reserve. The stand
ing army thus amounted TO 10000 men,
and could b. raised Immediately by calling
10 the reserves TO 100000; but 10 complete
me requisite number Of 100000 warriors. |
100000 more men than were necessary. |
and In time OF peace the kingdom could |
ahord to maintain only very small stations
'or these additional troops The Nine
eenfh Century. 1e !