Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-27
SOLDIERS WHO STUDY.
Gel. DtgelOW Tells How War In Learn.
ed from Books - Well N on the
Field.

AZ stated In THE STAR Col Bigelow, adjutant-
general Of the District National Guard, delivered
before the ofncers OF the National Guard at head
quarters Wednesday evening, the first OF q course
OF lectures on the cart and Science OF War" The
purpose Of the lectures, as Col Bigelow announced
h st TO teach his hearers their duties as oicers
and second, 70 interest them In the business of
war. While admitting that an offlcer cannot be-
come perfectly accomplished In those duties ex-
ceps through experience, he maintained that war
could not b learned without study. at Is" he
said. - great mistake In inquring into the secret
OF military success during our late war to con-
ader our officers as divided into two classes-the
ono regularly trained, the other altogether with
out traintng-and TO compare the success OF these
two claaDee with each other. The latter class
should be divided into those individuals that could
train themselves and those that could not We
stder-the ready trained, the ssl-trained, the un-
trained Assuming such q subdivision to be made
claaA and that In the third among the creatures
OF Inspiration and luck and political influence, not
io saSis name Of good military reputation VIII be
THE MOST BRILLIANT SUCCESS
the most brilliant success II not the highest
order Of military fame, Is attained only by means
OF inventions, Improvements, and Innovations,
their author. These advantages, It is needless 10
say, can hardly be attained without study, but
ence No campaign Of Napoleon,s was more bril-
liant than that upon which he entered at the age
OF twenty SIX, fresh from his preparatory studies
and researches at the French war department with
out ever having commanded a brigade, division
or an army, and Napoleop laid IL down as a spe-
the rirsf condition Of praciical success WelIinGs
ton, as the close OF his last great campaign, con-
fessed 20 junior stan of1cer his personal obiga-
ton 70 daily study. Marshal Turenne, the great
est OF those great soldiers OF the age OF Louis XIV
thought that the art Of war was learnt more from
books than upon battle FIELDS, and his great talents
were the fruit OF the deepest study. The Arch
duke Charles, who nrst showed the generals Of
Europe that Napoleon could be beaten formed his
reputation as strategist upon emerging from his
study, where he had spent many mouths pursuing
the theory OF war; having previously served In three
The great English art critic, John Ruskin, whose
opinion on this subject though not that OF an ex.
pert deserves al least our respectful notice as
address delivered TO the WoOlwich Cadets used
THESE words, 30 admirably adapted TO impress his
No good soldier In his old age was ever careless
thougntless boy has become a good bishop, or a
one ever became good general There is no form
o. science which soldier may not at some time
never waste an insssnts lime therefor tue ain
OF 6lenees h q thousandfcld greater In you than
IN other youths, for the fates OF those who WIN
knowledge; lost moments now WIN De lost lives
then, and every instant which you carelessly take
pay yO0 Ouy Win OlOO0.
'fo be sure, Won Noltke has said that great gen
sralA Ike postA are born, not made; but he has
been himself an interchangeable student, ana is re-
puted 70 De q walking military cyclop9dia. Gen.
sherman In his article on the grand strategy Of
the war OF the rebellion uses these words: There
may be such men as born generals, but I have
never encountered them. and doubt the wisdom
o. trusting 70 their turning up In an emergency.
sciNcR Art OR Trade?
rs was Frederick the Great who said that war Is
science for superior men, an art for ordinary
men and q trade for ignorant men i trust gen.
tlemen, that accepting this dictum as correct you
are resolved that 70 you IL shall be q science As
such IL VIII raise your minds above the narrowing
details OF drfll and save you from becoming mar
unee it VIII guard you In time Of peace against
the vices and the folies OF false military idcal Ia
time Of war IL will assist your higher nature 70
resist the bsnefu influences Of the soldiers rough
Life and horrible wofk, and II II does not secure 10
you Ali the recognition and ard which you may
think you deserve, IL can hardly fail 70 win for you
toe honorable esteem OF your Immediate superior
and brother oncerA, and what Is more to b. priced
than that the loyal affection and fearless devotion
o. you mem"