Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-21
THE BIG ARMIES OF EUROPE.
General s. Wylie Crawford Gives His
Impressions of Foreign Forces.

| trip in 1873. have revisited Europe five times
On each occasion / have endeavored to take
| advantage of every opportunity to observe the
military condition and resources of the respec-
tive countries in which have travelled.
The first bodies Of European troops that
saw were in England. The letters of introduce
ton that carried, and in particular one from
Mr.. Drummond, first secretary of the British
legation at Washington, to Lieutenant-Col
Stephens, an aide-de-camp to the duke of
Cambridge, field marshal commander-in-chief
brought me in direct relation with the highest
military authorities in England, and proved an
open sesame to all that wanted to see or
know. l was at once invited from the Horse
Guards to witness a review of the Scots Fusi-
lier Guards in Hyde park by the duke of Cam
bridge.
The troops went through the ordinary evolu-
lions. and afterward were deployed as skirmish-
ers, and l had an opportunity of observing
very thoroughly their capabilities. As we rode
away the duke asked me how l was impressed
with their appearance. In answering mis- ques-
ton reminded him of the famous remark of
the First Napoleon concerning the English
infantry: That it was the best in Europe. and
that he was glad there was no more of it"
ENaLIsH ACCoUTERMENTs TOO HEAVY.
Then 1 frankly proceeded to give the duke
my candid impressions. l said that, while the
appearance of the Scots Guards was impressive
and in every way military. yet it seemed to me.
after my experience with the alert and keen
eyed American soldier, that they were much
too slow in their movements and lacking in vim
and dash. The accouterments were far too
cumbersome and heavy and the transportation
necessary to mobilize such a force would prove
not only source OF embarrassment, but of
actual danger, in time of active service. The
commander-in-chief freely admitted that my
criticism was just. 1t has often occurred to
me since what overwhe lining disadvantage such
force. so equipped, would labor under in the
case OF campaign among the Virginia pines
against troops like those of the Army of the
Potomac or the army of Northern Virginia.
The most valuable experience l had was once
as a guest for week of the fourth royal
dragoon guards, at Aldershot. where took
special pains to examine carefully into all the
details OF the service. Once. at HYDE park, I
witnessed a review of $4,000 volunteers, and
again, at Gibraltar, saw 1000 regulars put
through their evolutions. But after all is said
can but conclude that in modern warfare the
English troops are too heavy, their commissa-
riat too bulky, requiring trains that would
surely prove source of great weakness in
campaign.
While this is the striking feature of all the
English service, it is specially noticeable in the
cavalry and markedly so in the cavalry of the
guard, where large proportion of privates
kit Is only for the articles necessary in keeping
his uniform and accouterments in order. In
the American army this sort of thing has been
very wisely reduced to minimum. The time
honored cuirass and brass helmet are, save for
show and dress parade, out of date. The grim
endurance and splendid courage of the English
soldier remain. however, great to-day as
ever, while the body of British non-commis-
stoned officers are probably the best in Europe.
And it is but just that should record the i'm
preston / have formed that Lord Wolseley is
as advanced in the application of modern ideas
to military life as any general have known.
RUssIA's ADMIRABLE SOLDIERS.
In 1876 was in Russia. The king of Swe-
den was at the time the guest of the czar and
grand review was given in his honor on the
field of TZarleceto. near st. Petersburg to
which, as foreign officer, ! was invited through
our legation. The visitors accompanied the
car as part of his staff Scattered over the
immense plain was large body of troops of
which there were $4,000 infantry alone 4 Cir
cassian bodyguard, in their coats of mail, the
regiments of Cossacks from the Don. probably
the most representative of Russia's forces, pre-
sented magnificent spectacle to the military
eye. In character this review was different to
anything that had heretofore seem Instead
of the rigid lines customary under like circum-
stances, the different bodies of troops wheeled
into their several positions and struck the line
of march before the reviewing officer.
member OF the emperor's staff indicated to
each one ds III passed. tlt Oruef IN winch IL was
desired to march past the reviewing stand
This was peculiarly effective with a body of
Cossacks who. upon a given signal, galloped
past i'll open order at full charge with flash
ing sabers, creating in the mind of the beholder
the deepest impression of their efficiency as
cavalry. The horses were the sturdy, sure
footed animals from the Ukaine. Their riders
sat them like Centaurs, and if there ever was
an inspiring sight it was that which they pre-
sented as they dashed by under the admiring
eye of their emperor. conscious of his conf
dence and trust. What a lot of fine. hearty
looking fighters they were to be sure
The infantry, too, impressed me as a splen-
did set, not tall men, by any means. but steady
and solid marching by with swing and move
ment and military precision that stamped
them as masters Oh the field. These were the
same soldiers who were later to demonstrate in
the Balkan mountains their capacity and valor
and add luster to the fame of the Russian
army.
Once, for the sake of the excitement and di-
version joined Don Carlos at Los ARGOS in
the mountains OF Navarro, and accompanied
his troops to Vienna. on the Ebro, and was
witness to the attack and capture of the place.
They were tatterdemalion lot of soldiers and
no mistake, clothed in every conceivable gar
ment, and armed with every conceivable
weapon, from pitchfork to q broken scythe
strapped on stick, and from an antiquated
out-of-date army musket to the latest improved
American breechloader. But nondescrpt and
homogeneous as they were they had stout hearts
in their ill-nurtured bodies, and when put to it
and spurred on by the presence of their prince
they would fight rs CALAMITY and desperately
as only brave men can. As for artillery. they
had none, but that did not appear to affect
them one way or the other
/ stood by the side of Don Carlos on a rustic
bridge one dismal and rainy morning as his de-
voted followers filed by on the march, and
was much struck by seeing number of wagons
IN the line loaded down with barrels. / asked
Don Carlos what they contained, and he care
lessly answered, in his most nonchalant man.
ner, with Just trace of smile on his hand
some face:
They contain petroleum"
"And what earthly use," 1 asked, shave you
for petroleum on the march?"
''What use?' he answered 'sWhy much use to
be sure. That's our artillery. We employ it
| to smoke out our enemies from barricaded
strOnghOlds and can assure you it's been tried
and found very effective in case confagra-
ton is deemed desirable" And then after a
moments pause and look at my face: sOh,
| yes l can assure you, General Crawford, petro-
| very good, indeed"
THE FRENCH AND GERMAN ARMIES.
| While Marshal MacMahon was president of
the French republic was one day invited to
witness review of 10000 troops at Long
champs. 1t was not very long after the Franco
| Prussian war. In their equipment the troops
showed every detail carried to the extreme
| perfection point. The artillery was, as the
| French artillery has ever been since the time
| of the first Napoleon, admirable in every way
| 1t Is an arm of the service upon which the
French nation has every reason for reposing