Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-10

ments is at a corresponding disadvan-
tage. The science of ballooning has been
brought to sue perfection hat balloons
a be steadied against the currents of
the winds, and therefore they are now
recognized as exceedingly useful for the
purpose Of obtaining knowledge of the
topograph of the country and the posi-
ton Of the enemy. Lyddite, a very pow
erful explosive, far more destructive than
the ordinary black powder, is used by
the British as the bursting charge in
their shells, n al be counted az one
of the modern appliances Of war. This
expGosive, however, is not as powerful or
destructive as a powder recently invent
ed by an American and adopted in u
own service.
AS TO ROUGH RIDERS.
The question has been asked: Is the
rough rider to be the ideal soldier of
the twentieth century? Such an i'm
preston is unwarranted. The skilful
hOrseman who can endure hardship and
can make long and rapid journeys with
the least possible fatigue to himself and
horse, and at the same time can dismount
and fight on foot, n Is an expert marks
man, and can take care of himself alone,
or can be Unanswered in brigades, di-
visions or corps composed of thousands Of
mounted men. a been and will be a
most useful soldier. Bodies of such men
were effectively used on both sides in the
Civ war. They are exceedingly useful
in accommodating a country, cutting ines
of communication, capturing and destroy
ing depots of supplies, and, when n
centrated, can do effective work on either
flank of the enemy.
Modern artillery also is most Inn
portant and essential. 1t is terrifying
and d~emoraliz.ng to the enemy, while
1t gives confidence and encouragement
to the troops Of the army using it. The
casualties as q rule are not SO great in
either h field artillery or cavalry as in
the infantry arm. which is the foundation
of all armies of the present day, as we'll
as in former times. Its movements are
slower, blu its fire is more destructive.
THE VALUE OF GOOD RIFLEMEN.
Much has been said in regard to the
value of good riiemen, as shown in the
Transvaal fighting. knowledge of their
rifles and skill in using them are of in
estimable value in the men of any army.
The modern magazine rifle is sighted
from 1900 up to 2.4O0 yards, and of course
the skilful use of it can only be obtained
from practice, intelligent care and proper
instruction: Both long-range individual
sharpshooting and volley firing will be
utilized in campaigns. The former rem
ders the ground between the lines dam
gerous, If not u%ntenable; and the latter,
in close fighting. as in wooded or broken
country, or during night attacks, when
the control by the officers Of firing is
most essential. is very effective.
The use of the telegraph and steam
power has made a vast difference in the
art Of war. Formerly it was next to i'm
possible to successfully carry on a war
against a foreign country at long dis
lance by the transportation then in use.
viz, sailing vessels, as illustrated in our
Revolutionary war, and as late even as
the Crimean war. Now the great steam
transports, bearing all the personnel and
Of war Of modern armies.
their way rapidly across the seas.
daily and hourly communication can
be maintained with forces operating on
the opposite side Of the globe.
To meet the trials. exposure, hardship.
disease and dangers of war requires in
the present time the same fortitude as
was necessary during the past ages, and
to become a true soldier. fulfilling all the
requirements and discharging his whole
duty to his country. one must be inspired
by the noblest patriotism as well as pos
sesssed of the toutet heart.
IJENDn DrO AZ A Nyv urAr~