A Narrative of Military Service

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1885. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXVII. LESSONS OV THE WAR. SO great a war as that of the Rebellion could not fail to be rich in valuable lessons,'which, if not new, had been forgotten until reealled to mind by a fresh demonstration. I have always theught it a duty incumbent upon officers of large experience to give some formal expression to their views as to the military teachings of the war; and I regard this as specially important, beeause, in time of peace, much of our military control and administration is in the hands of men whe do not take the field, and whe are consequently lost sight of in war, to come again to the front when war ceases. This is a bar to the prompt recognition and adoption, when war begins, of many things the value of which has been tested and proved in actual service. Our written rules change very slowly. Thus the light equipment and simple belt for ammunition were not formally adopted until they had been in general use for nearly ten years. So also the necessity of teaching our troops the full use of the rifle seems to have been first perceived by porsons outside of oflicial circles. In all actual affairs it is as important to know what to avoid as what to adopt. I early learned to take account of the feelings, preferences, and prejndices of civilians, and to forego sometimes, out of deference to their opinions, things that I believed were proper and needful. Too absolute and abrupt an enforcement of discipline once nearly cost me my volunteer commission, and with it my opportunity for usefulness in the field. This chapter records, under appropriate heads, some of the results of my own practieal observation and reflections. The theoretieal composition, organization, control, and discipline of armies has been treated at length in my book entitled "The Scheol a...