The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-08
FIELD TACTICS OF MODERN BATTLE.
The Large Percentage OF Officers Killed at
santiago Astonishing.

What astonishes all who have made
a study of modern field tactics is the
large number Of officers among the
killed and wounded al Santiago.
No battle i'm any part of the world.
probably, could have furnished a better
test of the new tactics, made necessary
by the Improvement in the firearms.
There were the rough ground and the
long range magazine rifles, and there
also were trained soldiers. one of the
main objects of these tactics-or, drill
regulations" as they are called, ex-
cept when they are applied To the bat
tletield-is to preserve the officers unin-
jured as long as possible. More reliance
is now placed on the intelligence of the
~privates. and particularly Of the non
commissioner officers. than i'm the old
days Of shoulder-to-shoulder formation.
Conduct that would have fastened the
name Of coward" upon an officer i'm the
civil war Is. i'm a sense. made compul-
sorry to-day; that is, while he is still TO
inspire his men by example when occa-
sion demands, he is for the most part
To maintain a fixed position with rela-
ton To his subordinates. and is to keep
ehind shelter if he can. Thus all move
ments can be intelligently Directed
knowledge Of which fact is more en-
couraginE To the men than the physical
presence Of the officer at their elbows.
The non-commisSioned officers have i'm
mediate charge OF the men. and oppor-
tunities are open to them such rs never
were dreamed Of i'm the old days. An
eminent English writer said. at the time
the new regulations were adopted i'm his
army. that in actual warfare, after the
men, the non-commissinned officers
would be most exposed. the lieutenants
next. the captains next, and SO on,
which is as il should be.
To illustrate the idea Of the present
battle formation. take one
alone. The principle Is the same for the
battalion, regiment. etc. In each COM
pany there are four sections" each
under The immediate command Of a SER
geant. The sections are divided into
squads, which are under the immediate
command OF COrporals. At the hagiu-
Minis Of the formation. for the offensive.
one of these sections is designated as
the reserve. another as the support and
two as the Trims line. or in any other
proportion as may seem best. The first
lieutenant commands the reserve. the
second the firing line. and the captains
post Is near the support, with a bugler
beside him To give signals. also the first
sergeant and any who may be desig-
mated 10 carry messages. II he quits
that pos; for a m he leaves word
where he can be found.
-" SNtd'N are sent loFNafd nfSt.
AFTER they have gone $50 feet. the firing
Inc advances, the sections gradually
separating and widening the Intervals
between them until tney suhdivide into
squads, n the squads in turn sppar-
ate into skirmishers. who are about six
rect apart when on the firing line prom
er. The support at the outset is about
l0o yards behind the first line. ready TO
depioy and advance To the skirmishers.
n the reserve keeps about leo yards
on me rear OF the support. ready for
nahk attacks or 10 reinforce the first
line. Every man is taught 10 take ad.