The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-09
STRATEGY IN WARFARE.
One May Learn from Books How Bat
ties VIII BE Fought.

New York Mail and Express.
Those who are interested to know what
red steeT al and spsn Will Probably be
on land and sea may obtain very good
idea of naval and army warfare by the pc
rusal of certain books. Only few years
ago not single military or naval writer
of note was to be found in the United
States, but lately there have sprung up IN
this country number of such writer's who
have gained a national and some of them
even worldwide fame for the excellence
of their works.
First in Importance perhaps are the works
of Captain A. T. Mahan. United States
navy, on Sea Power" From these books
one can learn about all there is TO be
learned on raval strategy and tactics. From
their perusal one can obtain pretty clear
idea of the value of positions in the West
Indies and can imagine with some degree
of accuracy about what conflicts will take
place there between Spain and the United
States. In that part of Captain Mahan's
works which treats of the projected inya-
sion of England by Napoleon, the author
describes with minuteness how Napoleon
expected to transport an army of 10000
men across the English channel Many of
the details as to how the boats were con-
structed, their size. number and concentra-
ton, are of peculiar interest just at pres
ent, since our government doubtless has in
view the sending of an army into cuba.
Captain Mahan is the greatest living au,
thority on naval warfare and strategy, and
his books have been translated into several
languages and have given him great fame
throughout the world.
works of Lieut.. III. II. Sargent. u. s. A.
He has written two books on Napoleon
campaigns, which have been highly praised
and widely read on both sides of the At
lantic.
1t has been said that Napoleon's Italian
campaigns were more widely studied and
read by our officers at the breaking out of
the rebellion than any other campaigns In
history. Be that as It may; Lieutenant Sar-
First Campaign and THE Campaign of
Marengo," have already established them
selves as standard works and have given
the author much fame.
In his first book Lieutenant Sargent points
out and discusses the principles of strategy.
and shows how they are applicable at the
present time One of the peculiar features
of his books is that they are written so
cleverly that both civilians and soldiers can
readily understand them In recent review
Of The Campaign of Marengo," critic
says: The first thing that strikes the read
er is that here is an example of book
written in English which has that highest
and final merit OF French books-not only is
1t so clear that you cannot misunderstood
it; it is so clear that it is impossible not to
understand II.
Another work of merit by an American is
The Principles of Strategy, by Capt. John
Bigelow, jr., Tenth United States Cavalry
In this work the author divides strategy
into regular, political and tactical, and dis
cusses entertainngly each kind, illustrating
the principles by examples drawn mainly
into detail in his history of the Vicksburg
campaign; and the different positions of the
parts of the opposing armies are represented
by series of maps showing just where the
divisions and corps of each army were sta
toned on different days
In his remarks communications and
TRANSFORMATION he gives some valuable sta
tistics relating to the carrying power of
steamers, transports and trains which, ow-
ing to the probability of a Cuban invasion,
are of much interest to the military man
just at present
Another work which deserves mention is
book on THE Great Captains by Col.
Dodge. This work treats, of Alexander.
Hannibal, Caesar. Gustavus Adolphus, Fred
erick and Napoleon. 1t sets forth the pecu-
larities of these great masters of war; COM
pares them with one another and shows
how the method of fighting has changed
from time to time, owing to the effects pro-
duced by changes in weapons of warfare.
One might ask the question how Ii is
that these histories of past campaigns and
of great commanders are of such impor-
lance to-day, since the implements of war
fare are so different from what they were
n n the s.o past; The answer to this Is that
able; it is only the method of applying them
that changes from time to time.
I'm In the words Of Lieutenant Sargent:
Since Napoleon's time many changes in
tactics and in tactical formations have re-
suited from the inventions of man, from the
use of steam and from discoveries in cleo
have resulted from these causes. Improved
weapons and improved methods of trans
portation may, in some cases, slightly modi-
combinations, but the principals of strategy,
the great principles or war, are the same to-
day as in the days of the great Napoleon.
Tc divide the forces of the enemy and beat
them in detail, to maneuver upon interior
lines, to concentrate an overwhelming mass
upon the vital point of the enemy-these
are the principles that do not change, how
ever rapid the fire of modern guns, however
quick the movements of troops or however
swift the dispatch of orders.
And. furthermore, the words of Napoleon
on this same subject are convincing. He
says: Read and mediate upon the wars of
the greatest captains. This is the only
means of rightly learning the science of
war;"