New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-18
A1ERIcAN ENGIYEEFS coMPLIMENTED;

ABERTC1N ENGINEERS COMPLTNENTED.
Mr.. Archibald Forbes has paid well-mcritcd
commitment 70 an American Naval officer
Upon receiving copy of Lieutenant-Com-
mandcr Goodrichs official reports ON the recent
naval and military operations in Egypt he pre-
pared n paper for Tie Nineteenth Century, en-
bodyng the conclusions of the author and
warmly commenting the intelligence, thorough
ness and technical skill with which most re-
sponsiblc duty had been discharged. A. this
distinguished war correspondent had the al
yantagcs of n military education, and now has
an established reputation rs an expert IN all
matters relating to war, this is a tribute of re-
spcct and admiration from the highest source.
Mr. Forbes refers to the author rs n trained cx-
pert in his profession, the internal evidence of
his work proving that lie brought TO it "A keen
eye, a slrcwd intellect and an independence in
which there has been no consciousness" llo
does not hesitate to pronounce the two volumes
tie best history of the campaign yet contributed
TO the military literature of the world, and ex-
presses the hope that some English publisher
will reprint the report for the benefit OF the staff
Of the Army and Navy.
1t is a singular fact that the United States
Government, representing pacific, industrial
republic, should take the lead in professional
Studies of active military operations. Lieuten-
ant Greene, of the Corps of Engineers, wit
messed the Bulgarian campaign in 1877, ac
companying the Russian staff by courtesy as a
representative of the United States Army. His
report to the War Department was a complete
account of that campaign, and has been gener-
ally accepted by military experts abroad as a
work of the highest value, having been trans
lated into German and Russian. Mr. Forbes
saws that the general staff Of st. Petersburg
have given it their official imprmatur as
standard authority" When the tact is borne
in mind that nearly every important Nation sent
military officer to Bulgaria in a similar
capaclty, this American officers success be-
comes a source of legitimate pride. Lieuten-
ant Commander Goodrich, it is equally graft
fving to be able to state has also distinguished
himself in the same department of professional
criticism. His report, which now lies before us,
is admirable alike for lucdity of style, pains
taking care in the recital, and professional learn
ing. Ii contains a complete account of the bonn
ba1dment of Alexandria, with descriptions of
the attacking fleet and the land defences, and
the effect upon the ships and the damages sus-
tanned by the Notifications. This record IS
supplemented by an outline of the naval opera
tons subsequent to the bombardment, the
change of base to the Suez Canal, and the cam
paipn ending at Tcl-el-Kcbir, and also by de-
tailed studies of special branches of the service
The authors reflections upon the bOm0ardment
and the campaign are OF great value to profess
sional students of the art OF modern warfare.
II Is 4 fact worth mentioning that the atten-
ton which these volumes of Lieutenant Com
mander Goodrich are attracting at home and
abroad is partly to be attributed to the hand
some style in which they are printed and illus
trated. The second volume is entirely made up
of heliotype plates and diagrams, executed
with the perfection of the bookmakeI's art. 1t
is highly creditable to the United States Gov
eminent that reports of this character should be
published in form which does but justice to
their intrinsic merits. The census reports
illustrate the same generous treatment of the
results of important professional labors. Each
volume, as it has been issued, has been received
by statisticians abroad with feelings of envy
and admiration. No series Of census compila