The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-21

ZenS nave learned. ana Tot success III
any business the evolution from the
simple TO the complex must be accom-
panied by a more perfect system. a more
careful selection OF agents and broad
er training OF the men upon whom fall
the responsibilities Of control.
Tribute to General Upton.
mo better illustration Of the necessity
of such an institution as this. and Of
general staF 20 make it's work effective.
can be found than in the fate which be-
fell the work Of a soldier to whose mem
DRY l wish to pay honor today-Brevet
Major General Emory Upton. colonel Of
the Fourth Artillery. Graduated from
West Point in 1850, he became. while
almost a boy. one OF the most distin-
guishad officers OF the civil war. He COM
manded successfully a battery of artll-
lery. a regiment OF infantry. a brigade
OF infantry. a brigade Of artillery, and
division OF cavalry. Constantly in the
field. he exhibited in camp and march
and in scores. Of battles dauntless and
brilliant courage, strict and successful
discipline. and the highest qualities Of
command. Prof. Niche. revered author
ity. said OF him.
q" NO one can read the story of his
brilliant career without concluding that
he had a real genius for war, together
with all the theoretical and practical
knowledge which anyone could acquire
In regard to it, He was the equal, IL
not the superior. Of Hoche, Desaix, or
Skobeleff in all the military accomplish
ments and virtues. and up 20 the time
when he was disabled by the disease
which caused his death he was. all things
considered, the most accomplished sol
der in our service. His life was pure
and upright, his bearing chivalric and
commanding. his conduct modest and I'M
assuming, and his character absolutely
without blenish. History cannot furnish
/ a brighter example of unselfsh patriot
I ism. or Of ambition unsullied by an ig
noble thought or an unworthy deed.
Revolutionized Army Tactics.
I addressed himself to the task OF inter
preting the lessons of that war to his
/ countrymen for the Improvement OF our
military system. or his own motion be
devised n new system OF tactics, which
being capable of adoption by a simple
military order. was adopted and revo-
/ lutionized the tactics OF the army. On
the recommendation Of General Sherman
he was sent around the world wirh TWO
! associated officers to study the armies OF
Europe and Asia. and upon his return
he made a report which gave the results
Of all his accumulated experience and
I11.4
/ battalion formation in cavalry and in
! fantry regiments. He recommended in
Interchangeable service and line as against
! the permanent staff departments He
recommended examination as a condition
! to promotion. He recommended the es-
/ adjustment OF a general staff. and he
/ recommended the general and syste-
matte extension OF military education
His recommendations had behind
! them all the prestige OF his military ca
reer. They had the sdtocacyy and sup
port Of the great soldier who then com
manded the American armies-General
| Sherman. They embodied the practical
lessons Of the civil war, and the results
of military science throughout the
world. Yet his voice was as the voice
OF one crying In the wilderness. The
Government did not even print his re-
port. but with those of his associates it
was filed in manuscript and forgotten
among the millions of documents in he
archives OF the War Department. Cen
eraI Upton subsequently printed the re
port himself for the benefit OF the pub
lie through a private publisher. a copy
may now and then be found az a second
| hand book store.