The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-19
NOT DONE IN A JIFRr.
II Takes limo to Equip an Army for Service
In the Field.
From the San Nranofsco Cali.

VI wv Stf NNNNNoN NUFs
1t is related of Won Moltke that, when awak-
enod in the dead OF night with the announce.
ment that France had declared war against
Germany. he remarked:
Look in my cabinet, file A. drawer %; send
off the kilograms you find"
Then he turned over and went to sleep again.
An army is like snake; 1t has great length OF
body and a small hoad, The head Is the fight
ing part. and one of its most important duties
is to protect the body. which consists Of wagon
trains and lines of supplies; for IL the body 10
injured the head becomes powerless.
In time of war. or in preparing an army to
take the field. n vast amount OF supplies, forage
and equipment must DO constantly on hand or
In easy reach. While tho provisioning OF n com .
pany. battalion or regiment of 1000 men Is per-
haps not u difficult task. the supplying of .
meal for 100000 men is q far different matterI
and it is absolutely essential that transportation
from the base of supplies should at oil times be
uninterrupted and subject to no delays. For
this reason the Government would assume con.
troll OF such railroads and vessels AS might be
necessarily ana they would DO run temporarily
being permitted only 30 far as IL did not conflict
with military necessities.
III war should be suddenly declared, and 1t be.
came necessary to put an army in condition to
take the field. the General in command. upon an
order from the Secretary OF War, would at once
recruit the regular military establishment up to
its full limit of efficiency.
" ihCh' tpkGbuCI VIII buo NOlunbOCTS WIZ
had been requisitioncd from the Governors OF
tho various States. or had been raised by direct
venient point. whore they would be formed into
regiments. hriSadcs and divisions under otficerg
OF sufficient rank in tho regular army. Most OF
the volunteers. when they reached the rendez-
vous, would be found to be imperfectly clothed
and shod, and also in many cases entirely igno-
rant of the simplest features of the life OF a sol-
der in the field. These men must be taught to
know what is expected of them on the march
and In camp and what they must do to preserve
their health.
With an army in the field hardly one day in
thirty is given TO fighting. The other twenty.
nine days of waiting must be lived through In
order that everything may be in readiness for
fighting which turns the hair of an officer gray,
but the twenty nine days OF anxiety for his men,
maintenance OF health and good spirits among
them. Men do not fight well in battle on empty
takes care of the provisions which areiissued to
him for forced marches. He eats them oil al
SaSs Hf a .ndG "t the hhe% end fU OF y long lon " dSS!. march of 5hf he
Is hungry. with nothing to appease his hunger.
Then comes tho trouble, He does not reasoni
he grumbles and expects to DO supplied with
more.
In outftting an army other things must DO
looked TO besides the men. Horses and mules
for %cartinR. artillery and transport service have
to DO supplied and, trained. A cavalry horse
Is to serve with the artillery, and as much
knowledGe is required in choosing animals for
military service as in selecting men.
Medical officers also have TO be commissioned
and instructed In tho peculiar duties which will
ueNulNt upon lneH, anu supplies OF uTuRbs
medicines. hospital equipment and tentB must
be arranged for. Where many new and. unsea-
soned men are gathered there is sure to DO more
or less call for the services Of n doctor. All that
pertains TO the medical, department OF the, army
Is under the charge OF the SurEeon-Gencral. Tho
drugs are all supplied by contract.
Soldiers expect to BIO paid. no matter how
much they arc fired by patriotism. so the Pay
master-GenerGl and, the officers OF his depart
ment must, through requisitlon on the Trcas-
urer of the United States. see that the private
soldier receives his $l3 every month.
In short, every department and every officer
fultils certain duties, and 1t Is on tho prompt
and accurate adjustment OF all the wheels OF the
complicated machine that IL goes and performs
the duties for which it was created.