The record-union., 1893-08-26

ants dropped again when they had deliv-
cred their volley in reply.
There was something uncanny and in
comprehensive about the whole pro-
ceeding. From both wood and field
came crash after crash of musketry and
no smoke: they were firing with the new
snokeless powder. 1t WAS quite evident
at once that smokeless powder has its
draw backs as we'll as advantages. You
see better, but you are also seen better.
The attacking body on a ground which
anorded no cover whatever was simply a
target for the skilled riIlemen in the
WoodS-a target which spread over a
great space, in blaze OF sunlight, in
winch glltlered thousand spikes on
thousand helmets, ard every gilt button
and steel scabbard and buckle and epau-
let was d target by itself.
Inc effect was as dazzling for us as it
was dangerous to the troops themselves:
the Whole plain sparkled and cleaned
ana gIowed with these innumerable
points OF reflected light. But skirmish-
ers and their supports went steadily for
ward; the rush at the double quick was
repeated as soon as the fire from the
wood died away, and so many yards of
ground gained and held at every rush.
Presently the reserves also moved up
Almost at the same moment a body of
cavalry flashed out OF the wood, poured
along the crest of the hill and threatened
the right flank of the advancing enemy.
The right flank swung steadily round till
1t had ceased to be a flank and become a
solid wall OF armed men facing this new
foe, into which it delivered a hail of
blank cartridges that sent the cavalry
headlong over the brow of the hill. dis
mounted the guns OF the battery which
the cavalry supported and cleared that
part OF the ground altogether. once tho
cavalry and guns reappeared, but their
fate was the same. They could not live
under that fire and had to vanish
No more. | thought, could the infantry
have lived long on that flat, uncovered
held, had there been bullets in the rifles
from the wood. Next us stood a little
cluster OF military critics, who COM
mented freely, being out OF the Emper-
0r's hearing, upon ali these transactions.
w hen hnally The infantry, advancing in
line, reserves included. and skirmishers
still well in front, swept on to the edge of
the wood and into it and the defenders
fled in the wake of their cavalry and ar
tlLery, asked one Of the gentlemen,
plainly an old soldier, if, over such
ground as that, infantry could ever have
got near the wood? Never" was his
answer. The strength of the fire had
shown that the force in among the trees
was considerable enough to have annihil-
aUed the regiments outside. But if you
do not know the conditions under which
an engagement OF this sort takes place,
criticism is thrown away, and we, of
course, did not know them.
1t was possible to occupy the mind with
something besides tactics, to enjoy the
brllllancy and animation of the scene,
and to believe We had seen a battle in
miniature, which we had. What is called
a sham fight is often meager imitation
OF battle without interest, or beauty or
versimilitude. This was SO like the real
thing as to make one remember the
rather comprehensive remark of soldier
who is not German: There are no SOL
diers but the German" Such remarks are
not meant to be taken literally, they are
only form of the superlative only
note of admiration Herald.