The Savannah morning news., 1901-01-19

Curious Extracts From the Order
BOOK of the Gallant Gem Wolfe.

hook of the Gallant Cen w Olfe.
From the London Express.
Some curiously interesting matter has
lately been unearthed from an old order
book Of the Twentieth Regiment, the
"Minden boys" now the Lancashire Flu
siliers, which emanated from the heroic
soldier Wolfe when colonel of the regi-
ment, about 1850.
Their bearing upon military conduct in
the field. marks them very distinctly top
ical just now.
whoever shall throw away his arms in
an action, whether officer, non-commis-
stoned officer or soldier, (un1ess it APP
pears they are so damaged as to be use
less) either under the pretense of taking
up others that are of better sort or for
any other cause whatsoever, must expect
to be tried by court-martial for the crime.
1.-The death of an officer commanding
company or platoon shall be no excuse for
the confusion or misbehavior of that pla-
toon: for, while there is an officer or nom
commissioned officer left alive to COM
mand. no man Is to abandon his colors or
betray his country.
Neither officer, non-commissioned off,
Ger or soldier Is to leave his platoon or
abandon the colors for a slight wound.
While a man is able to do his duty. and
stand and hold his arms, it is infamous
to retire.
1.-THE battalion is not to halloo. or cry
out. upon any account Whatsoever. al
though the rest Of the troops should do it.
until they are ordered TO charge with
their bayonets: I'm tNat case, and when
they are on the point of rushing upon
their enemy. the battalion may give
warlike shout and rush in.
1.-THE soldier who takes his musket
from his shoulder and pretends to begin
the battle without orders will be put to
death that instant. The cowardice or ir-
regular proceeding of one man is not to
put the whole in danger.
1.-THE soldier who quits his ranks or Of
fers TO flv is instantly TO be put to death
by the officer who commands the platoon.
soldier does not deserve to live who will
not fight for his King and country.
III a non-commissioned officer or private
man is missing after an action and Joins
his company afterward unhurt. he viii he
reputed a coward and fugitive, and will
be tried for his life.
eff we attack body less In extent than
the battalion, the platoons upon the wings
must be careful TO direct their fire
obliquely so as to strike the enemy. The
officers are TO inform the soldiers of their
platoons before the action Begins where
they are to direct their fire; and they are
TO take a good aim to destroy their ad-
versares.
There is no necessity for firing very
fast A cool well-leveled fire. with the
pieces carefully loaded. Is much more de-
structive and formidable than the quickest
fire In confusion. (The soldiers are to take
their orders entirely from the officer OF
their platoon and he is to give them with
alt possible GOODNESS and resolution). The
misbehavior OF any other corps will not
affect this battalion, because the officers
are determined TO give the strongest
proofs OF their fidelity, zeal and courage,
in which the soldiers will second them
with their usual spirit.
THE men should consider that they are
upon the point of entering in TO a war for
the defense of their country: that a
drunken, vicious. irregular army is but a
poor defense to a state; but their virtue.
courage, and obedience are sure guard
in all assaults they should, therefore.
always be ready to perform their part
with honor and spirit. and not give them
selves up to any excess or irregularity.
In times like these both officers and sol
diers should particularly exert them
selves in every part of the duty, ana
show their country that they deserve its
esteem and admiration by their zeal, fidel-
ity and valor"
The principles on which the British
soldier should fight vary little TO this day
from those incucated by Gen. Wolfe.
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m LII. Il Inc T.ss