Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-10
A Talk with sherman.
WHAT The OLD GENERAL THINKS The NEXT W
WILL BE LIKE.

WHAT The OLD GENERAL THINKS HE NEXT WAR
WILL BE LIKE.
From the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette Mayo
"Gen. Sherman" asked Capt Mattox, lido you
think II there was another war that as good ma
terial would orertself sin the last war-material
like Grant, sherman. Thomas, and Others?"
why, certainly" replied the general, "there
are as many good men In the Army now as there
were when the war broke out, and they'll make as
good generals, too What they want Is the OPP
portunity. That Is what makes men great Why,
In 81 out OF the 1000 officers OF the Army, there
wasn't one who would put his hand on Grant 5
shoulder and say, Here's the greatest general OF
the war; They didn't know then IL takes the
opportunity 10 bring men out There Is the
making OF as great generals now In the Army as
there was then There always Will be men who
Will come to the front In times Of great emergency,
and there always was"
answer TO a question from Capt.W. 6. Smith. "will
be a terrible slaughter. Men won't be able 10 come
together and tight. These machine guns are ter
rfble things anu with them war will be as bloody
as big slaughter-houSe. War won't be fought
over again as IL was in 61-'65, and IN 20 across
the water. Those were hand-to-hand engagements
almost. Men fought close TO one another, and
physical strength and prOwess counted for a good
deal; but In the next war all that VIII De changed
chimes that IRE thousands OF bullets in minute
or So"
general asked an inquisitive young man, "dO
you think that the strong, robust, young fellows
from the country made better soldiers than the
young men nom the city,"
strated the fact that the boys from the city could
stand more fatigue and hardship and marching
than the country boys. The boys IRON the country
were stronger always. but they were used TO a
regular life. and when they got into the ARMY the
irregularity OF the life it, hardship and exposure
weakened and finally killed many a strong young
farmer boy. while the boys from the big cities, be
ing used 10 Irregular hours, Irregular living, and
unmethOdcal ways OF life, could stand any amount
OF hardship without going under. This was proved
By the war. / saw IL proved In many cases myself.
Young city chaps were tougher In every way.
They weren't 50 strong physically as the country
boys, but then they could stand the irregularIy OF
OF Army life better.
-If there's ever war In this country again
think the greatest army Will be made up OF the
railway men, In the rrst place. they are strong
physically. Ia the second place. they have learned
Obedience, and have learned 10 obey all orders
without Questioning them This wasn't so In the
late war, for then men had 10 be taught obefi
ence, and their lesson was bitter one Sometimes
But. as was saying, the railway men will make a
grand army. They, above all other things are
Injured 70 life OF irregularity. They are used to
fatigue and the h2rCiships OF long hours OF work
without rest This irregularty OF life, which all
railroad men know Is u fact. more than anything
else will make them the best soldiers in the world
but hope they VIII never be called upon 10 Shout