The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-03-03
THE BOER ARMY SYSTEM.
UNIQUE MILITARY ORGANIZATION OF
THE TRANSVAAL.

EuRhcrs' Forccs Practically u Huge
Guerrilla Mob-Bow They Are Concen.
trated-Never Drilled - Marksmanship
the Only Thing They Pay Attention TO-
The army and military system OF
the Beers is without parallel in civil
lied countries. They may be COM
pared with the American army and
system of warfare of the early part OF
the Revolution. The burghers have
no military school, no standing army.
They indulge in no expensive expert
ments to keep pace with the up-to-
date ideas in armament; in fact, they
have nothing, apparently, to warrant
the conclusion that they know aught
of the science of war or are capable OF
presenting national system OF de-
fence or offence. Yet in remarkably
short time they have shown the world
that they have both knowledge OF,
and capacity for, military service, and
their effectiveness has been demon
strated most forcibly.
Practically every man IN the Boer
army was following some peacefui
pursuit six months ago. Yet he was
lust as capable a soldier then and as
much a part of the national defence
as he is now. The Beers do not be-
lieye in supporting an army IN time
| of peace. Nature has provided the
country with natural defences that
could not be duplicated by man.
1t was the savage, primarily, who
made the Boer O natural soldier, and
the wild beasts with which his coun-
try abounded enabled him to MAINTAIN
his skill with firearms. His free,
open air life has preserved his
physique and inherent prudence and
discretion have led him to perfect
military system suitable to the natur-
al conditions under which he exists.
From the time when he is able to
handle a gun until old age impairs
his faculties, the Boer is in constant
practice with the ride. His weapon
changes as distinct steps are taken In
the evolution of guns. His ancestors
took the matchbox and flintlock to
Africa from Europe, and it has been
replaced as occasion required, or as
advantage was apparent, until today
his rifle is of the best. Simultane-
ously with learning to shoot, the Boer
youth takes his place with men OF all
ages at the practice meetings, when
are held at stated intervals and when
correspond to the training days o.
American colonial times.
The Transvaal republic is divided
into military districts. The command
ing officer of each is called a weld cor
net field cornet), whose troops ma.
| vary in number from less than com
!, pany to battalion, or even regi
ment, of American formation. Usually
however, the commando. as the bodIe
are called, number about 125 men
When the cornet decides on date TO
a drill notice is sent to the bur ghers
who assemble with their families a
, the appointed place and the affair !
: made the occasion for holiday
Every man in the district capable
:. bearing arms is included IN the con
!, mando. An old Boer with eight
|" ten sons, and perhaps several CRANE
sons. is not an uncommon represents
. ton from one family. Each one ha
= his own gun aud equipments, and a
have horses, Like the minute me
of I776, they pay no attention to un
>, forms. but a certain similarity
dress gives them a uniform appea
Z ance. The men are drilled in simp
~ fashion, the evolutions being crud
y but applicable to the defence OF II
- boundaries. Competitive rifle pra
" tice is, of course, the most importal
- part of the drill, and the skill exhi
tied challenges the admiration
"a marksmen. Ninety-five per cent.
ID the Beers capable of bearing arr
n. could pass the sharpshooter's test
re Creedmoor with ease.
IL It has been said that the Boer do
not shoot as we'll today as he did
Majuba Hill, but those who know hi
best assert that his skill has I
It'll diminished. The losses of Britt
officers at Glencoe and Ladysm
rs seem to bear out the latter statemel
ch An officer is shining mark to
Fps Boer, for one of his military theor
let is that the loss OF officers demoralii
ny the privates.
10 Among the Beers themselves offic
i. are remarkably few as compared W
OF the modern army standard. The
zen net, who leads company, or perha
cts a regiment, is the first approach to
es, American or British commissoI
laii officer. But the cornst is dressed a
AZ equipped like the remainder OF
'ia' burghers and uses his rife with
ry' much effect. Heads of families dir
IN or advise the younger men, but tn
seq is not the elaborate system OF offic
that exists in the army OF other
:. lied nations.
i'm. As the system for action is based
NO dsfense rather than aggression,
!, ha general orders are given. Each
~ is supposed to look out for him
-. and his horse, and to fire at will
I'd the word has been given. He can
n.y." relied on to fire rapidly and
- curately. His target is the waistb
wi of the man among the enemy WI
ill., body offers the best shot; officers
~ course, are always preferred.
D tbs knows how to follow up his advan
. roc if the enemy wavers or retreats
o,,n how to beat a stubborn retreat
-. self. il necessary.