New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-30
VALUE OF DOGS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.
USEFUL IN SCOUTING, CARRYLNG MESS4GES' ID DEN
TRIES, IN AMBULANCE WORK AND IN ANBUSC4DES

THE extraordinary characteristics OF the dog
his watchfulness docility the acuteness of his
senses. his affection for mankind and his speed
enable h.m TO be Of immense value FOR military
purposes and the employment OF dogs for such
purposes can hardly be called an invention OF
modern times says Major +. II. Richardson IN
The Nineteenth Century. Far back IN the miste
OF antiquity we gather that the usefulness of the
dog ~ aUXfliary IN war was known. and 10 the
aucienis belongs the honor Of having first used
dogs in this connection. They used them for the
purposes Of defence and attack. bat the war dog
OF To-Day. tn consequence % completely different
method OF warfare has fulfil totally different
duties ard, as a means OF actual attack de-
fence. is out Of the question.
The chief work Of war dogs on the march is
scouting. In a column without cavalry the duties
OF infantry are so severe that Il is almost impos-
sible for them 10 execute the work; enormous ia
tigues are imposed on the advance guard, the
scouts being obliged 70 double out continually and
reconnoitre bushes streams woods swamps. etc.
and then rej0in the main body. probably stale al
ready, owing 10 forced marches and short rations.
The fatiguiug work causes many casualties. More
over. the scouts are SO much taken I'D with the
difficulties Of the ground that they cannot prop
erly look out for the enemy. hence grave cOnse-
Guences are probable. and ambuscade Of the
enemy not properly reconnOitred. may suddenly
fal the column with SERIOUS results. especially
IN wooded districts and IN hilly country, where
obstacles hinder scouting. 1t is here where the
speed would secure the safety OF the troops and
fnspire the scouts with confidence. being able 70
negotiate the difficulties OF the ground much better
than an infantryman- The war dog should assist
The advance guard. scour the country. and scent
the eneny's ambuscades from afar; and a dog so
trained IN peace should be invaluable in time OF
war.
The war dog should scout out by woFd OF COM
naud. and his movements and dencanor should DO
an easy index Of the Whereabouts Of enemy, Just
-1- -zs-7fr chi
Die may expect game; the smallest indentation OF
ground should therefore no longer serve for an
cneays anb5.scade when war dogs are employed.
Tie latter also scent out tracks Of the enemy
ard bring him bay; bat the rule must be strictly
observed that the eyes Of scout are fixed only on
The dog TO watch has movements. and on nothing
else ia RECOMMENDING hills the scouts should re-
main ct the bottom and put out the dogs over the
top. TWO dogs would easily through a small
covert and rec0nnoitre but for large wood I'VE 10
ter would he necessary; forest would have TO be
accommodated a certain distance round BY putting
out The c0gs 600 yards round. In recommending
deGles The dogs should be sent up both sides ana
through The centre. in examining villages the dogs
should sent up the principal streets and all hay
stacks, gardens etc. should be visited while look
ing out for lurking enemies; IN fact dogs do this
work far quicker than d.smounted men. Also, If
posted with flank guards defending the tanks OF
marching columns dogs ought 10 be Of the greatest
service.
by might marches during fog and rain It is
necessary 10 secure the troops from attacks as
much as by day bur night is specially favorable
surprises and moreover surprises at night fire.
Quenty cause paaics these results being far more
serious than attacks by day. At night time the
senses of man are continually At fault failing 10
distinguish objects short distances and creating
very great mistakes The dog IS more gifted than
mankind IN the respect Of nose and ears. and
should prove more Indispensable by night than by
day, and scouts going out night should be
compauied by dogs, who would give confidence and
calmness and protect them from surprises and
arnbuscades. A lest dog also ind the way
when a man IS at fault pitch dark night, and
a dog should be able scent out a missing party.
for example. in a terrific snowstorm when the
binding and driving snow renders forward move
ment impossible.
I'VE now come 10 another use of the dog a
body OF troops on the march-nanaely. means
Of connection with the different parts Of the col
umn. For long distances the telegraph or hello
graph. but for short distances cavalry, is best
AfIeC; II there is no cavalry, and II the duties OF
cavalry are very severe when accommodating, the
war dogs would prove invaluable for sending IN
news from patrols, and save them much fatigue;
6ret lt as :in .,ixiliarv 10 4iag sCTalllr he dog
should render great assistance. and, moreover. in
rT Gag seralllrr v-5l,i5 he of no I5se nor tHjs
purpose tie French and Germans employ dogs 10
up communication between the OutpOsts. The
message given TO the dog should always be written
and placed Ia a small dispatch case fastened
the dogs collar, stating time of departure, address,
etc. and the dog should be dispatched "a the re
guiIcd direction
The value Of war dogs 10 the sentTies IS 10 DO
considered, especially as IN modern warfare the
light attack appears 10 be taking foremost place,
because The attacking force can reach the objective
IL come up UuObserved in the darkness. In
ne InoeeIn system o aouble sentTes although one
bther, their powers OF hearing and seeing no
Elore increased lhan with the single sentry and
The enemy. led by a daring leader and crawling