New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-04

BeEsarius. His most stubborn foes were the
Goths, and he tells US himself how he defeated
them. They were armed as cavalry only with
the lance and the sword, and good only for a
charge and a fight at close quarters Their
bowmen on foot were always drawn UP in the
rear, where they were Of little use. But Belisa-
RUS drew UP his infantry in the centre, with
cavalry well advanced on the wings. The
Gothic cavalry were CALLED by arrows from the
whole opposing line. They were shot down be-
fore they could charge. and when they did
charge were sure to be caught on the flank with
horse less numerous but as good as themselves
and untouched by arrows. Meanwhile the
Gothic bowmen. soon as they were uncovered.
were attacked by squadrons Of cavalry sta
toned by Belisarius far GU, on his own tanks
for the purpose, and often ran away without
doing any execution whatever. For long time
the story OF war changes little Even the stout
English infantry behind breastwork which
fols cavalry are obliged 70 yield a. last TO the
combination OF the horse and the bow a. the
battle OF Hastings In studying that battle We
must not let ourselves be deceived by the rus
tic arms of many men in the English line A
woodchoppcr's axe was as good as battle
axe, and a fail would serve good purpose
against feudal lancers poor as il would be in
face Of a modern carbine or revolver. In spite
Of the English lack Of discipline. things went
i'll with the Norman cavalry until William be
thought him TO have his archers shoot 50 that
their arrows would fall upon the enemy from
above As soon as the bowmen got the range
the battle became a massacre, and the Norman
horse drove the remnant Of the SaXons into the
forest Part Of the fatal efficiency Of the arch
ers in the Norman army was due undoubtedly
to the crossbow.
This weapon was the Roman halsta in NINA
ture, and vastly more seryiceabic weapon than
the gigantic bow on wheels, simply because It's
d -structive range was a. great while there was
practically no limit 10 the numbers in which II
could be made effective. In the hands Of vet
eraAs trained TO stand or 10 move together as
one man, and willing 10 fight. IL was really
never beaten in the field until a better missile
weapon was found to replace IT. Whenever il
got bad name il was either supported by raw
militia or commanded b. an incompetent gen
eral.
Without abiding TO the !nnumerablc fall
ures in medieval warfare. lei US look al once
upon a field where both the opposing command
ers are men OF military genius and both the
armies engaged are under proper discipline
Such a field only could be a proper test OF the
relative efficiency OF Eastern cavalry and the
Western combination Of horse and foot. II was
also a test in its way OF the modern principle OF
strategic initiative and tactical defence for Rich
ard the Lionhearted chose TO march on a line
where every days advance was a victory. and
where bis enemy, Saladn, must force the night
Richards army marched in order Of battle ready
by a simple left face" to confront the enemy
al any moment. The train and its guard OF foot
soldiers were nearest the sea. The cavalry,
heavy armed knights. were told of in small
squadrons TO each Of the twelve divisions OF IN
fantry On the march the knights were To the
right OF the infantry column, and IN the rear
when the latter faced left for battle. The front
OF the line Of battle from end TO end. was one
long rank OF crossbOwmen. Behind them were
81 carmen, and behind these cavalry, with Their
long lances. Saladin's troops were all on horse
back, a cloud Of skirmishers to the front and
the heavier squadrOns at the rear. IL was cas-!
for the Saracer light horse 20 enveIop the "hoIc
Crusadjne army and veX II with clouds OF ar
rows But the peremptory orders Of Richard
lept the knights from breaking out and losing
the battle in their usual fashion. Many horses
were shot down. however, but the riders al
once Joined the infantry with their lances or
picked up crossbOws and took their places in
the front The flying. yelling mob or Aslaucs
were not able to stop the march or their foes
On the contrary, the European crcsspoWiIeh'
without hating inflicted such severe PUNISH
ment on horse and man That the Saraceh SHIT
mishcrs soon gave up their scattering methods,
redoubling their attentions TO the vanguard as
a diversion covering their main purpose-and
setting upon the rear under SaIad4h III person
NTH tho bopc OF breaking up the line. The
knights Hospitallers, under TINS strain oes"n
20 think of breaking out from the rear guard
to ln l.