Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-06-27
Ruses in War.

war Just ended between Ohlha anu
Japan to show few Of the tricks OF
the trade" in other words, few OF
the peculiar stratagems which have
been successful from time to time IN
past years.
Pampeluna was lost to the Spaniards
in peculiar way The French troops
stationed in the district were all al
lowed to enter the town occasionally
for their provisions, and this foraging
party gradually increased IN number
One day, on arriving in town, they
started snowballing each other, andas
the excitement increased, each soldier
from the outside kept joining IN the
battle. Comrades armed rushed IN
apparently to share the sport; but
when a sufficient number Of the French
soldiers had been introduced, the
guards at the gates were seized, and
the remainder of the army entered the
town to complete the conquest.
About the same time the French
gained access to San Sebastian by
another clever arti6ce. The general
commanding the French soldiers OBJ
tanned permission from the Spanish
commander to send the sick of his
army into San Sebastian, He seems
to have had a large number of men
sick and in need of sea air, for on re-
ceiving permission, he sent upwards OF
1000 to the hospitals.
They were bandaged in every con-
ceiyable way, and some had their arms
supported by slings The Spaniards
afforded every accommodation, and
ultimately allowed about five hundred
to be placed in the citadel. Having
been thus far successful, it only re-
mained for these, presumably, poor
diving cripples, but otherwise healthy
soldiers, to leave the hospitals one
morning, before daylight, and take
possession of the fortihcatlon-and
this they did before the bewildered gar
rison realized that the soldiers that they
had so carefully tended were not
friends, but enemies.
The Americans once played a neat
trick upon an English fleet. The ships
in question were threatening a part OF
the American coast, when II was rum
ored that a man had discovered a COM
bustible which could be easily trans
mitted to the feet and ignited and
which would produce terrible results.
OF course the information was con-
veved to the British commander, and,
no doubt, he was sadly disturbed IN
consequence. At any rate, one day
several barrels were set atoat IN the
direction Of the vessels. followed by a
man with a complicated arrangement
in boat. On nearing their destina-
tion one Of them exploded, whereupon
the feet shipped anchor and departed
in great haste. The inventor had done
his utmost, however, for the remain
ing barrels were harmless.
1t is said that once when the French
made a descent on the coast of Wales,
thev were held in check for some time
by a rather peculiar stratagem. The
women, who then generally wore long
red cloaks, were collected and marched
among the hills in full view of the IN
vaders, and as they kept appearing IN
full view of the invaders, and az they
kept appearing in different points, II
gave the idea that there was a consld'
cradle number of soldiers near at hand
The French were somewhat afraid o.
attacking, and, as sufficient force
was soon collected to repel them, they
took to their ships in a hurry.
In another case a besieged city
short of provisions, was on the point
of surrendering, as they found 1t im'
possible to convey message ontsld'
for help. In these straits young mar
volunteered to pass the enemy and u
possible obtain assistance. To do TIN
he left the city with bride in HI
hands, and mixing with the invaders
asked if anyone of them had seen hii
horse. In this way he got through
their ranks, and was the means o
getting the city delivered.
A Moorish general on one occasion
rallied his troops in a very slmpl
manner. They were beginning to re
treat when he sat down in field. de
claring that he would there wait 70
death, seeing that he was fOrsaken b
his troops. They were ashamed 0
? their conduct, and returning, ultimate
" gained the victory.
, George-"Well, life Is worth living
after all. >"