The National tribune., 1897-11-04

Old troops invariably deem it special
privilege to be in the front-to be at
the head of column because ex-
perience has taught them that it is the
easiest and most comfortable place, and
danger only adds zest and stimulus to
! this fact
The hardest task in war is to lie in
support Of some position or battery,
under fire without the privilege of re-
turning it ; or to guard some train left
in the rear, within hearing but out of
danger; or to provide for the wounded
and dead Of some corps which is too
busy ahead to care for its own.
To be at the head of a strong column
of troops in the execution of some task
that requires brain, is the highest pleas
ure Of war-a grim one and terrible,
but which leaves on the mind and mem
ory the strongest mark: to detect the
weak point of an enemy's line, to break
through with vehemence and thus lead
TO victory or to discover some key
point and hold it with tenacity or to do
some other distinct act which is after
ward recognized as the real cause of
success
These all become matters that are
never forgotten. Other great Difficult
ties, experienced by every General, are
to measure truly the thousand-and-one
reports that come to him in the midst of
conflict; TO preserve a clear and we'll
defined purpose at every instant Of time,
and to cause ali efforts to converge to
that end.
COMMANDER MUST BE AT THE FRONT.
To do these things he must know per-
fectly the strength and quality Of each
part of his own army, az we'll as that of
his opponent, and must be where be can
personally see and observe with his own
eyes and Judge with his own mind. No
man can properl Y command an army
from the rear, lie must be at its 'front.'"
and when a detachment is made, the
commander thereof should be informed
Of the object to be accomplished, and
left as free as possible to execute it in
his own way; and when an army is di-
vidcd up into several parts, the superior
should always attend that one which he
regards as most important.
Some men think that modern armies
may be so regulated that a General can
sit in an office and play on his several
columns as on the keys Of piano. This
is a fearful mistake The directing
mind must be at the very head Of the
army-must be seen there, and the effect
OF his mind and personal energy must
be felt by every officer and man present
with it, to secure the best results. Every
attempt to make war easy and safe Will
result in humiliation and disaster.
Lastly, mail facilities should be kept
up with an army if possible, that off
GERS and men may receive and send let
ters TO their friends, thus maintaining
the home influence Of infinite assistance
TO discipline. Newspaper correspond
ents with an army, as rule, are mis-
chievous. They are the worlds gossips,
pick up and retail the camp scandal, and
gradually drift to the Headquarters Of
some General who finds it easier to make
reputation at home than with his own
corps or division. They are also tempted
to prophesy events and state facts which,
10 an enemy, reveal purpose in time to
guard against it. Moreover, they are
always bound to see facts colored by the
partisan or political character of their
patrons, and thus bring army officers
into the political controversies of the
day, which are always mischievous and
wrong. Yet, 50 greedy are the people
al-large for war news, that it is doubt
ful whether any army commander can
exclude all reporters, without bringing
down on himself clamor that nav i'm
peril his own safety. Time and modera-
ton must bring a just solution to this
modern difficulty.