The Lamar register., 1896-02-01


Va astounded were he
to return to earth and see with Whist
strides the science OF war has ad-
yaaoed during his absence, No nor
could his heavy battle columns oe
eessfully launched; no more eoula Mu'
rat, his magnificent cavalry leaher'
ride over an army with bis daring horse
men.
In place OF the grand and picturesque
bayonet charge We have thin sEirrnlsh
lines, seeking 10 crush the enemy Vtth
their hre alone. and modern cavalry
Will probably never again charge on the
battlefield.
To begin with, Il Is assumed by mill
tary authorities at present that the oe-
eupation OF territory by hostile army
Will be such crushing burden that We
must prevent Il AZ all hazards Inc
first and perhaps the decisive battle
of the war will therefore take place as
soon and as near the frontier as pos
sible. Where this frontier. as IN most
European countries. Is merely line on
the map. and Is not . natural obstacle.
the commander-In-chief will probably
set his forces in motion for Il as soon
after the declaration OF war as IS poe
sible.
His army will be preceded BY great
clouds OF cavalry, pushed forward both
to reconnoiter aud to hold back the
advanced bodies OF the enemy. In ad-
dition to this. bis screen OF cavalry VIII
serve to conceal the movements OF his
main body from the enemy. SkiTmishes
between the advanced cavalry OF the
two armies viii be Of frequent occur
renee. At last one Of the commanders,
not wishing to advance further without
accurate information and prevented
from obtaining this by the enemy's cav
airy screen. will make arrangements for
breaking through this screen. ConceR-
tratins his own cavalry. he will launch
II at some weak point In the enemy's
mounted advance guard.
II the attack is kept secret 1t proba-
bly, win succeed with ease; II the enc
my is warned In time he. too. viii con
centrate and great cavalry battle will
result. The victor In the engagement
win succeed in obtaining all the in
formation he desires. while the defeated
cavalry will fall back on their main
body OF infantry. Thus will end the
FIRST phase of modern war.
Every gun OF his artillery win be
brought to bear upon the guns OF the
defense. ana until the concentrated ar
tiilery FIRE succeeds In siiencing and
crushing the defenders artillery the at
ticker will move forward with his
infantry. for a rified gun will now carry
over five miles; its fire becomes decisive
at 1880 yards. and murderoas at 1900
yards. so that an infantry attack would
be doomed to disaster at the outset un-
less the artillery of the defense were
first silencec-
At last the Incessant pounding Of the
guns has done its work-the opposing
artillery has been silenced, and the
artillery of the attack can rest for
time. Now comes the chance for the
infantry. Spread out into three thin
lines-firing lines. supports and re-
serves-taey move forward. The firing
line, in open order. moves quarter or a
h.lf-mile In front Of the supports. a like
or greater interval separating these
from the reserves, who may be in
slightly denser order.
The defense has probably improgised
some way of hastily intrenching itself;
all that we see is little ridge of earth
stretching along in front of us. and all
know is that somewhere behind that