Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-13
WAR ART.
THAT THE OCCUPATION AT CAMP
CUBA .LIBRE
" BOTH OFFICERS AND MEN.
A School Of Tactics-Experts' opinion
of Virginia Soldiers-Discomfor
Caused by Rnin-very Rigid Dis
cfpIinc-The Sick.

CAMP CUBA LIBRE, JACKSONVILLE
FLA. July 12.-(Special)-Th fighting
around Santiago has had very notice
able effect upon the army here. The
splendid display Of American valor anC
the great loss Of life cause officers and
men 10 regard the war IA manner con
siderably different from that in which II
had been looked al before.
Among the enlisted men it seems to have
had the effect chiefly OF making them
more eager to get to the front and take
part in the fray The effect upon the
officers is different, and more interesting
They manifest in many ways a deeper
sense Of the responsibility resting upon
them-a duty not only to follow the
flag and 10 accomplish the thing ordered
but to save the lives and limbs of the
men under them all that is possible.
II know Americans will every time %
that which they are ordered" an officer
of the regular service said to me, but
1t is the solemn duty Of the officers TO see
that they do IL with the loss of just as few
lives as possible. TO that end IL behooves
US TO drill our men up TO the highest
standard Of proficiency and TO be ourselves
prepared TO take advantage Of every rule
and suggestion Of the tacticians for the
preservation of the lives of the men
under US"
Problems suggested by the battle OF
Santiago are constantly discussed, and the
most casual listener though not an expert
cannot help being impressed with the fact
mat experiences there are proving valu-
able TO the officers of General Lees d.
vision The details Of getting the men into
battle, Of replenishing them with ammuni-
ton. of charging fortifcations are all
carefully discussed. In the officers school
in the Fourth Regiment Major Blow. the
Instructor. has the companies and bat
ta1ons of the regiment represented by
sticks placed on the floor Of the tent, or
on the ground. Each officer is 10 move his
command at the word from the instructor,
and in this way a battle is fought out.
This acknowledgement is thought to be
highly effective in giving the officers prac-
teal knowledge of the manoeuvring under
hre. The men are also being given the
most careful instruction in guard duty
and drills in advance guard and outpost
duty will be begun in a short time.
NONE BETTER.
There can be no question as TO the eff
cheney Of the Virginia troops after they
shall have been thoroughly drilled. The
personnel Of the Virginia companies is
constantly commented upon by the officers
here. The regular officer alluded 10
above told me last night that though he
had been thrown with soldiers from nearly
all the States Of this Union, he did not
believe there was 10 be found in all the
world as good material from which 10
make lighting men as could be gotten from
the agricultural districts of Virginia
There are just as good men in the towns
and Cities he continued. but a larger
percentage not first-class than is to be
found in the country. They are courage
Gus, intelligent, industrious light-hearted.
sood-natured, but highspirited. The
world can't beat them. Wait till you see
them under fire. They'll go 10 the front"
The present military tactics provides
that company officers-indeed, all officers
shall be in the rear Of the firing-lne-
that the men shall be sent against the
enemy instead Of led; but this is not
thought practicable. To quote again from
the officer referred 10: THE men with
the shoulder-straps must lead. sIen will
follow when they won't go in front. II
believe the only way company and regi-
mental commanders can do their duty is
to take the lead"
l find here a general feeling that our
loSS at SduLldSO was larger IMAM snOulu
have been, the result Of General Shafter
using the old civil war method Of fighting
instead Of conducting his attack on lines
laid down by modern tacticians, and made
necessary by modern long-range rifles. |
The old method of charging in a solid line
Is utterly discarded and in its stead the
men are now ordered to rise, a section OF
say sixteen at a time. fire, rush forward
few PAGES, and fall. In this way the at
tacking line is brought forward by short |
PUSHES. and fatalities are greatly lessened. |
But where the opposing force is entrench- |
ed il is nearly always the case that the |
final charge is made by the whole line. |
as i'm the old days General Shafter seems
TO have followed the latter method en-
tirely.