The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-02-24
THE FEET OF AN ARMY.
Generals Have Paid Close
Attention.

Some historians have found the Sc
cret of Julius Caesars military success
in his astonishing faculty for constant
attention to small details. The impor-
tance Of this principle Of strategy was
practically realized in modern times
by Moltke and his subordinate gener-
ais. Many a joke at The expense OF the
victorious Germans, in the year fol-
lowing the war of 1870, was founded
upon their punctilisus attention to
matters which, in the popular Judgment
Of those days, seemed more appropriate
subjects for the cares of housewife
or a school matron than OF Il great
strategist at the head Of an army com
posed Of hundreds of thousands OF
strong men.
One of he bits at that time esteemed
most farcical among the odds and ends
of gossip that foated about long after
the indemnity had been paid was an or
der issued to German lnfantrymen In
regard TO the care OF their feet. This
comical order directed the men TO rub
their socks with soft soap before put
ting them on, in order that the blister
ing incidental TO long marches might
be prevented. People who had never
walked more than five miles at stretch
In all their lives found much amuse-
ment In the idea of a soldier having fee,
so tender aa TO need such precautions
OF being so sensitive to pnin as to mind
little thing like blistered foot.
The conversion OF military authori'
ties in other countries to Moltke's ideas
was the chief historical evidence OF the
Germans greatness as an organizer Of
victory. BY no means the least zealou'
among his disciples is Lord Wolseley
who for 25 years has been the Object
of incessant chaf, more or less good hui
mored, among his own brother officer
as the great Germsnizer" Of the Brit
ish army. And the Influence Of Moltk'
and his school is to-day felt by "rom
my Atkins" gratefully, It IL TO be hoped
in the careful regulations in regard Il
his feet and their fitness for service.
Realizing that column of infantr!
suffering from bunions is sadly handi
capped in the field the British infantr.
routine has been made TO include al
inspection of feet" and the inspect
Ing officer has TO see that the feet o
his men are in every respect as FIRE,
from blemish as their weapons. Thi
touches the feet themselves, but Their
are other regulations based upon tn
unquestionable principle that the sho
makes or mars the foot:
Commanding officers win be held rS
sponslble that officers commanding bat
teries and companies personally suporir
tend the ftting OF the ankle boots. A
these are issued in sizes. ana there is ofte
a slight difference in sizes with the sam
number. they require TO be very CAREFUL
fitted"
In order TO secure good iit, for tn
prevention OF corns, bunions and bills
ters, to every man, the ankle boots
are ordered TO be worn for some tim
on trial, and, in case OF a faulty fit, T.
be then either exchanged or rclegate
for treatment TO the cobbler. Their
is also a strict injunction regardin
the prompt repairing OF worn shoei
and the characteristic tendency OF mi
Atkins" TO fopplsh follies Is officiall
noticed In .he provision that "the stanC
ard pattern" is to be adhered to by III
cobbler in making his repairs or altel
ations, to the rigid exclusion Of "hig
heels and pointed toes" and all sue
vanities.
"The Queens Regulations also II
clude rule by which inspecting of
GERS are obliged 10 make the command
march past mot at attention" so thT
any sign OF sore feet in individuals ma
be detected. Such cases are to be note
and the names Of the men taken dow
and given to company officers for met
ical or other attention.
"In our army" said a United State
infantry officer, who had Just arrive
from some hard marching in Cub
1--WE leave good deal to the sense
the enlisted men In these matters. IT
SoldierG' Hand Book contains recon
mendations about the care Of the fee
including the recommendation TO ru
the socks with shaved soap and to poy
der the inside OF the shoe with pre-
aration which is sold for the purpos
But there are no strict rules ON Il
point. Your old infantryman very soc
learns how 10 take care Of his feet, ar
sad experience teaches him wha, Il
pains and penalties OF neglect are. /
soon as a detachment comes into can
off the march you will see that mo
Of the men go TO work at foot bathin
Cleanliness is a tradition among o.
men, and the man who ignores 1t fee
the force of public opinion among b