Evening journal., 1904-09-15
LESSONS OF
The MANEUvERS
Citizen-Soldiers Had a Try
ing But Profitable Ex-
periencc
MUCH LEARNED FROM REGULARS

UUGll LlhllNLu HUU HluULnn0
Washington. Sept. l5.-There seems to
be a unanimity Of opinion among officers
lf the regular army that the recent ma
loeavers held in the vicinity OF Manassas,
Va. were Of incalculable benefit to the
military efficiency of the United States
For the first time in the history OF this
country large bodies Of militia and regu ar
soldiers from the North and South were
brought together for the purpose OF sim
ulating conditions of war and. as a gem
eral proposition, the result was entirely
The selection of the particular spot
where the manoeuvers were held was due
not to the fact that two famous battles
were fought there during the civil war,
as nest people imagine, but 20 unavoid-
able conditions. Happily, however, the
afforded for extended drill
were excellent, and the country provided
unusual advantages for Stimulating actual
war in the solving of the two problems
given the division commanders by the
higher authorities q the army. The men
entered with much enthusiasm into the
work-and it is conceded that 1t was work
too. that they had while in Virginia, ana
at times during the mimic battles had the
roar of the artery and the rattle OF the
musketry been accompanied by the
screaming Of shells ana the kissing OF bui-
lets it would indeed have been impossible
to say that actual war did not exist. sucn
was the enthusiasm Of the men. both OF
the regular and militia organizations, that
on one or two occasions had It not been
for she watchfuiness Of the military UNI
pires there might indeed have been ac-
tual physical contact. which would have
had a disastrous effect upon all prospect
for future games ~ war.
Lack Of Rsst Criticised.
There is one great criticism OF the Vir-
ginia manoeuvers which may lead 70 a
better arrangement next year. and tnat
is that the men should have been given
at least one days rest between the two
problems. There Is a Iinit to human en-
durance, and officers of the regular army
now realize better than ever before that
it is not practicable to put militia organ
izations in the field and expect them 70
march and fight for four days without
any rest. Unlike the men in the regular
service. who live an outdoor lite and are
constantly resorting to physical exercise
to keep themselves in the pink OF conuI-
tion, the militia is made up of men whose
life is Of a sedentary nature. When they
are put in the fed ane made to live the
life OF a soldier under the most trying
conditions 1t must follow that they VIII
wear out.
The hardships of the Virginia campaign
Of last week were most severe. For fouI
days and practically for four nights IN,
troops were kept on the march over soms
OF the toughest country in this section o.
the United States. Up hill and down DAT
the men marched. and while they always
showed the forutude so Characteristic o
the American when ioading the life OF ;
soldier the physical condition Of some o
the militia was not such as to stand th'
strain. This fact is now frankly admitte,
by the authorities OF the War Department
and it is not believed that men Will agar
be made to work thus hard without suth
Client rest.
Proper Food Supply Overlooked.
Reports have been received at the Wal
Department showing that some OF th'
militia organizations did not receive then
proper supply Of food while ION the fe.I
Of battle" There is no doubt that this Il
true. on one occasion a regiment Of mint
from one OF the Southern states wen
nearly y hours without a bite to eat
This was not the fault OF the Federal au
thorities, however. as the officers OF tn'
regiment were wiising 10 admit, but L
the lack OF experience of the regimentd
commissary officer. There was plenty o
food at both Manassas and at thorough
fare ana plenty Of wagon transportation
to take 1t 20 the field, but through lacl
of appreciation of their duties some o
the militia commissaries failed to get tn
food to their respective regiments Il
time. This has led the War Department
to the conclusion that at future manocu
vers it would be better from all points o
view if a regular commissary officer wer
assigned to duty with each militia regi
ment for the purpose of instructing tn
militia commissary how TO manage hi
supplies and to keep his men well sup
piled with food.
The manoeuvers, it is generally be
lieved, have taught many things essen
tial to a soldiers knowledge to the mem
bers of the National Guard who partici
pated in them. In the first place the me
in the militia who took part Will hard
be so careless of their drinking waite
when they 90 in the field in the future.
The Regulars Drink.
A regular will fiji his canteen IN III
morning and harbor. his water during IN
entire day. When THIRSTY he will moiste
his mouth, but not drink his nil. The mil
tiaman, on the contrary, would drink q
the water IN his canteen, II thirsty, befoi
noon and run the chances Of replenishin
his supply. This expectation Of tindin
good water during the recent manoeuvei
often was Disappointing, and consequent
There was considerable complaint anon
the militia that they were not well SUI
piled with good water.
Officers OF the regular army, howeve
speak highly in praise Of the exee,iei
showing made by the militia during u
manoeuvers. The men, while not used
long marches of the kind they were col
fronted with in Virginia, showed exec
lent spirit and worked hard 10 gain %
commendation Of their superlors. The
were willing to learn from the longer e.
perience Of the rsgulars and emulate