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LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
Class
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UNIVERSITY
OF
Making a Soldier
— BY
LIEUT. COLONEL A. C. SHARPE,
« \
U. S. ARMY
Gold Medal Life Member Military Service Institution, Sometime Professor of Military Science and Tac- tics, Acting Judge Advocate, U. S. A., Ass't Adj't General and Inspector General, U. S. V., Military Secretary, Umpire, Chief Umpire and Chief of Staff Ma- neuver Camps, late Member General Staff Corps, Etc.
PUBLISHING Co. 3 WILLIAMSON BLDG.
CLEVELAND
1908
COPYRIGHT 1908
BY ALFRKD C. SHARPE
DEDICATION.
To all patriotic citizens who are proud to live under the protection of the United States Flag and who believe in "backing it up" with an adequate system of Na- tional Defense these pages are respectfully dedicated.
CONTENTS
Page PREFACE 7
INTRODUCTION 14
I DISCIPLINE 19
II DRILL 28
III HEALTH 36
IV HABITS 44
V RECORDS 47
VI CONCLUSION 50
VII QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 57
190832
1 ' Today the question is not so much whether a nation is strong enough to make war as whether its government is powerful enough to prevent war. It is the sword alone which
keeps the sword in the scabbard"
— Von Moltke.
PREFACE
The creation of an effective Army Reserve is one of the most perplexing questions with which the statesman has to deal. In Germany, Switzerland, France and other European countries the problem is solved by a system of conscription or compulsory service. Every young man on arriving at proper age, unless exempted for certain cause, is required to pass thru a prescribed period of military training. In England and the United States, on the contrary, no such system exists, as compulsory service, even for a short period, would be regarded by the people with extreme aversion. Reliance is therefore placed on volunteers. Neither of these methods, however, has been found entirely satisfactory. Conscription, being generally obnoxious, and especially so in time of peace, the term of service is reduced below a safe minimum and many exemptions are obtained. The volunteer system, on the other hand, is found equally defective. In peace it fails to secure sufficient men, and in war it has to be kept alive by the payment of enormous bounties. This has been the experience of fhe United States since the earliest days, and in the great civil war of 1861 even the bounty system finally broke down and gave place to the draft. If, however,
8 PREFACE
in spite of its defects, we are resolved to adhere to the volunteer system, it is all the more important that our preparation should be sufficient to make our wars short and decisive, for a protracted struggle wearies the people, who then cease to enlist even for large bounties, and we are thus forced back to the ob- noxious conscription.
It is the theory of a republic that every citizen must become a soldier if need be. A government by all and for all is entitled to the services of all. But to be of any value as a soldier in modern war a man must have considerable preliminary training, and this training in turn requires a certain irreducible amount of time. It is manifestly too late to begin such train- ing after war is declared. Therefore, if we are to have any training at all the people, or, at least, such portion of them as may be needed, must submit to it in time of peace. This was the idea of the fathers when they enacted the old Militia Law of 1795. Under that law every able bodied male citizen between 18 and 45 was required to be enrolled and to appear for drill on certain muster days each year. But while this plan was reasonable and just, and in exact accord with the theory of a government by the people, its requirements were found to be exceedingly irksome.
PREFACE 9
Being immensely unpopular it was. of course, ineffec- tive, and even became ridiculous, so that in time the whole system fell into contempt and finally disap- peared. The law, however, was not repealed for over a hundred years, and indeed it was not till 1903 that it was superseded by the act now popularly known as the Dick Law. This act practically recognizes that conscription in time of peace has been abandoned, and while it still retains its hold on all able bodied male citizens of proper age as members of the Militia, and therefore liable to be drawn into service in case of necessity, it accepts the National Guard as the only existing force which can be looked to as quickly available to supplement the small standing army. Now, the. present strength of the entire National Guard does not aggregate much in excess of 100,000 men. Deducting non-combatants and those who for physical unfitness or other cause might drop out, and adding a percentage of re-enlistments and recruits who might come in, we could not count, perhaps, on a final "line-up' ' of more than 100,000 of all ranks and grades. Some of these would not be available for field service, as they would be required for coast de- fense. Official reports of inspectors also show that quite a number are not yet quite fully equipped or in
10 PREFACE
a satisfactory state of instruction. This, then, is the sum total of the reserve forces which we have thus far provided, and for the maintenance of which the federal government and the several states make more or less hesitating appropriations. We recognize, of course, that this force is entirely inadequate and the appropriations for its support altogether too meager. But as this is the only organization in the nature of a reserve which we have developed it should be of deep concern not only to the Militiaman but to every other citizen under the flag to make it the best pos- sible. Until some better scheme is thot out we should bend our energies towards perfecting what we have, and to this end we should strive to make its equip- ment, its administration, its training and its discipline as complete and thoro as a citizen-soldiery can hope to attain. Anything short of this impairs public con- fidence, excites ridicule, brings the company into contempt, and saps the very foundations of efficiency. If the National Guard would have proper financial support it must win public esteem and to win public esteem it must show that it deserves it. There is here no royal road to favor. The American people are discriminating and practical. In the matter of military appropriations they are also disposed to be specially economical. For every dollar which they are willing to give they expect a return of one hun-
PREFACE 11
dred cents in military effectiveness and proficiency. We are therefore confronted with the question, Can the organized Militia, laboring under the many limitations which surround it, make such a return? And if not 100 per cent., what score can they hope to attain? Can they acquire sufficient cohesion and discipline to be handled tactically in the field? Can they under the existing and unchangeable system of our government become a stable, effective and de- pendable force in time of war? These certainly are questions of vital concern to the people of this country today. We know the history of the militia in former wars. We remember that Washington pronounced them "detestable," and in the war of 1812 their conduct was most wretched and inglorious. Even in later conflicts some of them soon tired of the dull round of camp life and begged to be brought home. These and similar unsavory events have ex- cited deep distrust, and many who are confronted with these questions only put their tongues in their 'cheeks and gravely shake their heads. But I am not prepared to share in this despairing view. I have seen some few organizations in the State troops which have already reached the high goal of military efficiency ; and there are doubtless others equally good which have not fallen under my personal observa-
12 PREFACE
tion. True, they may not yet have scored 100 per cent., and they never may. But they are well officered, well equipped and well instructed, and they have acquired a degree of unity and cohesion and re- sponsive spirit sufficient for all practical purposes. They have learned how to live properly in camp; they can be handled tactically in the field ; with a few practice marches they would be seasoned and ready for war. What has thus been accomplished by these few, often in the face of most adverse conditions, can be accomplished by others — perhaps by all.
Many valuable manuals have appeared in recent years for the use of National Guard officers and men. They have explained and elaborated almost every phase of a soldier's duty, and their multiplied editions indicate that they have been widely circulated. Recent inspection reports, however, show that in many organizations the vital quality is still lacking. Instead of being military companies, thoroly knit together and responsive to the will of their commander, they are merely uniformed rifle clubs with military incidents. Altho the men may shoot well, their action in battle would be uncertain, unreliable, and perhaps beyond control. Many have be- come so charmed with maneuvers and rifle practice
PREFACE 13
as to forget the elementary principles by which alone a soldier can be made. Such companies by their awkward appearance, their indifferent drill, their inattention in ranks, their spreading feet, the grotesque twist of their hats, their unsubdued individual independence and general lack of cohesion are little better than the old "corn-stalk" militia which was laughed to death years ago. They are rendering a questionable return for the people's support and their general figure of merit is exceedingly low.
But these defects are not the result of indifference or lack of zeal. It may be safely assumed that every officer and man who belongs to the National Guard belongs there because he has the instinct of a soldier, because he has a taste for military life, and because he wants to be in the first line in case of a call to arms. Such men are in earnest, and they need no urging; they are more than anxious to develop their commands to the highest possible degree. All they need is intelligent direction in the right way. With such direction they may go forward to the high standard already achieved by the few. To assist in this praiseworthy endeavor and thereby to lend a helping hand in developing the organized militia into an effective element of the national defense is the author's apology for these brief pages.
Manila, P. L, November 4, 1907. A. C. S.
Introduction.
WHATEVER Colonel Sharpe may write on military matters is of special interest to National Guardsmen, because for more than a quarter of a century he has been interested in the Guard, has been closely associated with it, has comprehended its spe- cial problems and the difficulties under which it la- bors, and has been in hearty sympathy with all efforts of the citizen soldiery of the country to improve in military efficiency. He speaks with the authority of one who knows, for few, if any, officers of the regular army are better qualified or have entered more heartily into the military life and experience of the state troops. He has been professor of Military Science and Tactics in colleges and universities, has lectured to National Guard companies, has inspected them in armory and in camp, has seen them on the maneuver field and in active service, both at home and abroad.
No one can write understandingly about the making of an American soldier who is not familiar with Amer- ican history, who does not appreciate the patch-work and make-shifts which make up our military history, and who does not comprehend fully the peculiar atti-
INTRODUCTION 15
tude of the American people toward things military. We are an intensely martial people in time of war, but in time of peace are disposed to quickly forget all the lessons of experience and to trust to luck and the goddess of Chance to help us out the next time the nation gets into trouble.
We can all wish for the era of universal peace and yet not bring the millennium any closer. We know wars have waged in the past, and it is not unlikely they will occur again. It is the part of prudence to be prepared for such an emergency. The Father of his Country never showed greater statesmanship and pre- vision than in his declaration that we should in time of peace prepare for war. Such preparation is the in- surance the country pays for protection against inter- national conflagation. No householder expects or de- sires to see his house burn down, but the almost uni- versal custom of protecting combustible possessions by a fire insurance policy is an expression of the over- whelming sentiment of the community that it is sound business sense to so safeguard one's house and fur- nishings. Under-insurance or inadequate insurance is proportionately as bad policy as to carry no insurance at all.
All that is necessary to cause the American people to make adequate provision for war is to educate them to the absolute necessity of such preparation. The majority of enlistments in the Revolutionary War were
16 INTRODUCTION
for a few days or a few months only. Armies were assembled for a single campaign, and when the danger was over the army melted away and the soldiers re- turned to their homes. In those days, and even down to a much later period, every man was familiar with the use of fire-arms and had a certain amount of pro- ficiency in their use. Discipline was much more easily enforced in those days than today, and the need of training was perhaps not so marked as at present. Our regular army consists of but a handful of men and will probably never be proportionately larger than it is today. The regular army cannot even consti- tute the first line of defense in case of foreign invasion, for the regiments and companies are scattered all over the United States, and besides doing service in this country are now stationed in Cuba, Alaska, and the Philippine Islands.
In reality the first line of defense of any considerable number of men upon which the country must rely in case of foreign war is the National Guard. Congress has done much in the past few years for the National Guard, and the states themselves have considerably increased their appropriations for that purpose. Both Congress and the states will do much more as they are educated up to the need of increased appropriations for that object and as they are assured that the money thus appropriated is well expended. The people of the United States are as patriotic today as ever and
INTRODUCTION 17
would respond as quickly to their country's defense. VVhat is needed is more education as to the necessity of military preparedness. It is admitted that a modern battleship cannot be constructed in less than two or three years. The people should know that an efficient, capable regiment of foot-soldiers cannot be made ready for service in a day or a week or a month. The pres- ent National Guard of the United States numbers about one hundred thousand men. This number should be doubled and made ready for immediate ser- vice. With such a body of men, well drilled and equipped and ready for instant service, the country would be reasonably secure against invasion. Such a body would give time for the organization and equip- ment of levies of troops large enough to meet any demands.
Numerous military books and pamphlets have been published in late years, more or less similar in char- acter to this work of Colonel Sharpe, and all have served a good purpose. In many respects this work is one of the very best of its kind, because it treats of the subject of military preparedness in a large and general way, while at the same time dealing with those matters of detail which are of particular value to the enlisted man. What impresses me as of particular
18 INTRODUCTION
value in the work is the insistence with which the author dwells upon the necessity of discipline. Ex- cellence in rifle shooting is absolutely necessary, but an untrained, undisciplined body of sharpshooters would not make an army. Discipline must be learned first. As has been well said, the three essential attri- butes of a good soldier are discipline, discipline, disci- pline. It is needed not only in the execution of tactics and of strategy, but it is vitally necessary for the pres- ervation of health. Our experience in war has been that disease has carried off many more men than wounds caused by bullets. This vital point is given due prominence in the following pages, together with the remedy.
I commend the book most heartily to the careful study of every officer and enlisted man in the National Guard, and also as a valuable medium for the educa- tion of every American citizen in the necessity of mili- t:.ry preparedness and of the only true way to accom- plish that much desired result.
CHARLES DICK,
Major General, Commanding Ohio National Guard.
Making a Soldier.
CHAPTER I.
Discipline.
"An army without discipline is useless in war and dangerous in peace." — Bismarck.
What is discipline and what is its function in an army? Does it mean an inflexible system of iron clad rules, severe, inexorable, sometimes even cruel? Does it imply a draconian code of regulations so harsh and exacting that a self-respecting man could hardly comply with them and yet the slightest viola- tion of which means swift and excessive punishment? Is it enforced only under the spur and lash of fear, with a court-martial ever in sight and the guard house, on bread and water, ever impending? No, it is none of these; and yet, strangely enough, this is often found to be the popular idea, and many intel- ligent citizens, otherwise well informed, have been heard to say they would rather see their sons go to jail than to go into the army. Judges also have been known to turn young criminals loose on condition that they would enlist in either the Navy or Army, thereby stigmatizing service in these honorable em-
20 MAKING A SOLDIER.
ployments as an alternative to servitude in a peni- tentiary! But unlike prison control the discipline which distinguishes and adorns the profession of arms is not acquired thru fear of punishment or hope of reward. It is not like a garment which can be sud- denly put on at the will of the wearer and as suddenly laid aside. Military discipline is simply a habit, and it is a habit of slow and sometimes imperceptible growth. Moreover, once really acquired it can never be laid aside. This is illustrated in old soldiers who have learned to march. If a band is playing in pro- per time they are unconsciously impelled to "take step." Tho they may have been out of service many years, if they meet one of their former superior officers they involuntarily touch the cap.
Like all habits which men acquire, discipline is learned by frequent repetition — by doing certain things over and over again until they finally become, as it were, "second nature." The man himself may not be aware that he is acquiring the habit — in fact it is usually less perceptible to him than to his friends. But gradually, without knowing just when or how, he loses his angular movements and awkward poses; he forgets his hands and has no trouble in getting along with his feet. He gets his head up, and chin
MAKING A SOLDIER. 21
in, and takes on an air of alertness. He develops self- reliance, and can be trusted to carry out an order. In a word, he has become a soldier. Fortunate, in- deed, is the youth who has opportunity to pass thru such a course of training, and it would be a glad day for the great Republic if every boy of the land, in the formative period of his character, could be permitted, nay, required, to pass thru such a rare school.
The object of military discipline, however, is not merely to develop the individual soldier for the separate or individual action. While there are many occasions where he must act alone, such as sentinel duty, scouting, etc., where his soldierly habit will be highly valuable, the great test of his training will come in the troop, battery or company where he is to work in accord with others, all guided and controlled by a single directing mind. No matter how well dis- ciplined every other man may have become, if he has not acquired the habit he may compromise and pos- sibly ruin the whole command. I remember once seeing a beautiful company at a competitive drill. It had about finished its program and by the marks of all the judges had the laurels well within its grasp, when suddenly a man right in the center of the front rank was seen to spit! And the handsome prize was
22 MAKING A SOLDIER.
swept away! The history of war furnishes many bloody examples of disaster due to the failure of a single organization to do its allotted part. These failures have resulted almost invariably from lack of discipline and cohesion, or the ability to work together and do things in the manner and at the time specified. At the first battle of Bull Run the Union forces were composed of as patriotic and brave young men as ever went to war, but they were not soldiers; they had not had time to acquire the military habit; they were simply a crowd, an aggregation of civilians in uniform with guns in their hands. And so they wandered along the Centerville road with little semblance of formation, stopping now and then to pick blackberries, and also pick their steps in a gingerly way around mud puddles ! When spoken to by their officers and urged to press on they "talked back" or greeted their admonitions with cat-calls and laughter. On the night when Gen. McDowell decided to send a portion of his troops around by Sudley Springs so as to strike the Confederate left about day- light the whole movement failed largely because one of the brigades blocked the road, fell into confusion, and could not be handled in its allotted time. The same thing has been frequently seen at our maneuvers where many National Guard organizations got utterly
MAKING A SOLDIER. 23
out of hand, especially after the conclusion of the exercise, and wandered back to their camps in great disorder. But it is not necessary to dwell on our de- fects. Every intelligent officer knows that if we would handle regiments and brigades and divisions, we must first be able to handle battalions and companies and squads, and the whole system therefore upon which military operation is based relates back to the ele- mentary training and depends for its effectiveness upon the thoroness with which the soldier in the ranks, as well as the officer over him, has acquired this indispensable habit which we call discipline.
Now, as already stated, discipline is of slow growth. It is not acquired in a day; it cannot be learned by reading books, or listening to lectures, nor even by watching others who have acquired it. It is not learned at maneuvers, nor on outpost duty, nor in a sham battle. On the contrary it is the ten- dency of field duty to relax the bands of discipline. Street parades and target practice, guard duty and practice marches — these and other like features of instruction have their distinct value and proper place, but none of them furnishes the school in which to lay the foundation of military character and acquire the military habit which we call discipline.
24 MAKING A SOLDIER.
It is natural, then, that a feature of such vital con- cern in the making of a soldier should have received the best thought of the best soldiers in all ages, and that a special system of education or training should have been devised for its development. This system is essentially the same in all armies and is what we know as Drill. As already intimated, this drill is the only method ever devised by the wisdom of man whereby a recruit can be transformed into a soldier.
Strange as it may appear, and unfortunate as it may some day prove to be, there are - thousands of good people today who have no appreciation of this truth, and who actually believe that any man who is brave and in good health can be transformed into a soldier by the mere oath of enlistment! Even in some National Guard organizations which have come under my observation this dangerous error prevails to such an extent that men have had rifles thrust into their hands and been even put on guard before they had had half a dozen drills! To allow such a man to make a spectacle of himself in such a way is not only unfair to the man himself, but betrays a curious lack of pride in the company commander who is willing to permit it. I remember on one occasion of this kind overhearing a group of colored waiters near
MAKING A SOLDIER. 25
the Headquarters mess commenting with explosive laughter on the grotesque appearance of some men at guard-mounting. Some of these unfortunates had their collars turned up, a button or two open, their hats bearing fancy metal ornaments with the brim turned up at the side: some wore the hat in a peak after the fashion of Mother Goose ! Several had quids of tobacco or chewing gum in their mouths and were occasionally seen to spit. No effort had been made to shave or clean up, and the shoes were covered with mud. These conditions and fantastic decorations had apparently not been noticed by the ist Sergeants before marching out. At least the men informed me that they had not corrected them, and they were not aware that anything was wrong. As if to accentuate the ludicrous spectacle, a dog, playing about, frequently ran between the legs of a man in the front rank who accommodatingly stood with his feet nearly a yard apart! Meanwhile, the band (which happily knew its part all right) played on to the delight of the waiters, to whose eyes the whole thing was a precious bit of opera bouffe but to the military eye it foreshadowed a tragedy.
What a contrast to this picture was presented by another command from the same state, which, with
26 MAKING A SOLDIER.
no better opportunities and in the face of great ob- stacles, had perfected itself in almost every detail of uniform, equipment and drill, and therefore in dis- cipline, to a point beyond criticism. Following is an extract from the official report :
"The equipments are complete, in excellent con- dition and all properly marked. * * * * Hats were all worn properly and every one had its cord, this being the first organization I have seen here of which this could be said. * * * * The interior of the tents and the grounds adjacent presented a very neat and orderly appearance. * * * * In assembling for all duties the men are prompt * * * * and showed snap, alertness and understanding." Referring further to the drill and spirit of this organization the report says : "It illustrates in a striking way the possibilities of an organization of this kind under an energetic commander. The excellent condition of the equip- ment, the discipline and esprit of the men, and the fine drill under such conditions reflect great credit on the captain." And again, after describing the work which this organization carries on in its armory, "The effect of this patient and persistent work in the armory was manifest in the field not only in the exe- cution at drill but at all times in the bearing of the
MAKING A SOLDIER. 27
men and especially in the cohesion, alacrity and con- fidence of their movements. * * * * There was never any lagging or delay, no tardy ones crawling sleepily out after the roll-call had begun. The punctuality, the 'go' in everything was most admirable." The Inspector's report also showed that these men were able to. do some fine shooting.
Manifestly here is a militia organization which in spite of great discouragements and difficulties has qualified itself for war. When the tocsin sounds it need make no excuses, nor ask for any odds. It can answer "ready." Why may not every other troop, battery and company aspire to reach the same high plane ?
CHAPTER II.
Drill.
We have tried in the preceding pages to indicate the importance of acquiring the military habit which we call discipline, and we have pointed out that the only way of acquiring this habit is thru the system of exercises which we designate by the name of drill.
Drill, especially in its elementary stages, is not very agreeable. In fact, it is hard work, and unless the drillmaster is capable and wise it may become very irksome. A committee of congress many years ago was charged with preparing a system of popular military training and in submitting their report de- clared their opinion that there was "nothing more disgusting to the grown man" than the elementary training of military drill. This is undoubtedly true if it is not conducted wisely. If a new man becomes weary and dispirited it will be difficult to hold his attention, and without attention nothing can be ac- complished. While the chief end of drill is to knit or unify a command together into an intelligent machine, instantly responsive to a directing will, it is well to take advantage of every occasion which
MAKING A SOLDIER. 29
may contribute to esprit de corps or win public com- mendation or applause. This does not mean that we should return to the precise execution of former days when great competitive drills were held and great money prizes were won or lost by the mathe- matical position of a man's thumb. Those fine exhi- bitions were as extreme in their hair-splitting refinements as some of the fancy shooting which is now absorbing too much attention. Whatever will be of value on the field of battle should be assiduously cultivated; beyond that we need not go, unless, as above suggested, we can thereby sustain interest. Therefore an occasional exhibition drill before an appreciative audience will be found helpful.
Notwithstanding its dull monotony the elementary training or school of the soldier is the most import- ant part of the drill book. It should therefore be intrusted to the most skillful instructors and always supervised by an officer. It is a bad plan to let a new corporal practice on a recruit. He will probably give him a very erroneous idea of drill which it will take a good instructor a long time to remove. While the course should be progressive and the man be advanced as rapidly as he becomes thoroly grounded, yet it is more important not to go too fast. It is wise at this
30 MAKING A SOLDIER.
stage to "make haste slowly." Bear in mind also that drill does not consist merely in learning how to do an exercise. It means also such a repetition as will produce the habit of doing it "without thinking." Thus, for instance, a man is taught to stand in the position of the soldier. It is simple and easily under- stood. Any man can learn how to do it with absolute correctness and yet he may go out to guard mounting, be thinking of something else, and forget to keep his heels together. But if you have drilled, that is, cor- rected and admonished him often enough he will in time so acquire the habit of keeping his heels together that he can't forget. He stands correctly without trying. In fact, he would feel that something was out of place if he were standing otherwise.
Officers of the organized militia upon whom I have sought to impress the importance of drill have reminded me of the limited time available to them and of the many other obstacles which beset their path in carrying out any systematic course of training. But with all due allowance for these adverse condi- tions— and I know that in some states they are cer- tainly discouraging — I yet believe that a better adjustment or division of time could be arranged whereby more work can be devoted to drill and still
MAKING A SOLDIER. 31
leave a fair proportion to other lines of instruction. Twenty years ago, before maneuvers and target prac- tice were introduced, drills and ceremonies absorbed a large share of the time. Today the pendulum seems to have swung to the other extreme, con- centrating most of our energies on fine shooting and maneuvers to the great neglect of drill. Neither ex- treme is desirable, and we should endeavor to get back to a golden mean, neglecting nothing, but giving all features their proper share of time. In making this apportionment, if any favors are to be shown, I would advise the National Guardsman to give the "Lion's Share" to drill. This does not mean that other lines of instruction are to be slighted. Target practice is certainly to be fostered in every proper way. A man who cannot shoot will be of little use on the firing line. Also the lessons which we learn at maneuvers cannot be overestimated. But in urging the extension of target practice and the institution of maneuvers it was never intended that the drill, which is 'the only school in which men can be made fit to go to the rifle range and maneuvers, should be relaxed or neglected.
It is sometimes erroneously supposed that drill means merely the formal positions and movements
32 MAKING A SOLDIER.
laid down in the book. These of course should be thoroly learned, and as the book itself says, "fre- quently recurred to." But in addition to these exer- cises there should be a quick inspection at every formation, and if there is anything out of place it should be pointed out and corrected on the spot. Opportunity should be given every drill night for some "orderly duty," such as carrying messages, etc. Every man should be placed on post as often as pos- sible and practiced in "turning out the guard," re- peating calls, "turning over his orders," etc. There are very few men who know much about the duties of an orderly, and yet there is probably no position in which a well instructed man can "show off" to better advantage. Every visitor to camp sees him, every one who calls to pay his respects to the Com- manding officer is met by him and escorted in. He above all others has opportunity to make a favorable impression on the public and win friends by his courtesy, by little polite attentions, answering ques- tions, assisting visitors to alight from carriages, offering a camp stool, etc. These courtesies should be practiced in the armory. American boys know that they should be observed but unless practically trained they are very liable to neglect them. In all these
MAKING A SOLDIER. 33
details, of course, the commissioned officers should set the example. They thus help the soldier to get accustomed to doing the right thing with ease and as a matter of course. Officers who see omissions and errors of this kind sometimes hesitate to correct them for fear of giving offense. But it is a well established fact that the man in ranks has a great deal more respect for the man who is constantly trying to teach him than for the one who is apparently indifferent and neglecting him. It is a sheer waste of time to go thru a drill without correcting an error, and the old soldier knows it. He knows that mistakes are constantly being made by the less instructed men and that either the officer can't see them or is too timid to correct them. In either case the time is being wasted. Nobody is learning or improving.
Another feature of elementary training which seems to have become almost a "lost art" is the setting up exercise. Every company drill should begin with it,^ tho the men have had it a thousand times. The drill master should also never tire of teaching his men to salute — not hoiv to salute — they all know how, perhaps, but teach them by constant repetition to do it. Some men salute fairly well all officers of their own regiment, but should they meet an officer from
34 MAKING A SOLDIER.
some other camp, or from the Army or Navy, they forget to be courteous. Practice the men in rising and standing at attention when an officer enters, not confining the instruction merely to an admonition and to the first arrival, but making it the subject of repeated exercise. Good non-commissioned officers can be relied on to perfect a company in these details, but they must be given frequent opportunity. The more attention you give to the individual soldier in the early part of his career the better your progress, and the better your discipline and cohesion will be later on. I believe the greatest difficulty which the drill master in a National Guard organization has to contend with is the restless eagerness to push on to advanced instruction. This is too often yielded to, and then their company commanders wonder why the Inspector does not grade them very high.
Finally, I would admonish every drill master to lay out in his own mind, before he goes to his squad or company, just what he is going to do — the pro- gram he intends to follow, and he should be careful not to lay out too much. This is the only way in which we can make rational progress, and the only way to develop good commanders. Every corporal should be required to drill his own squad at least a few minutes each drill with an outline of the course that is to be pursued. The officers and sergeants
MAKING A SOLDIER. 35
should supervise them and see that they do not get in advance of the program. All non-commissioned officers should be given occasional opportunity to act in the next higher grades.
These and many other details which will occur to company commanders will go far towards keeping up interest in drill. They are so obvious and simple as to seem not worth mentioning, yet I have dwelt on them here because there are hundreds of officers who do not practice them and who therefore probably do not appreciate their value. They have excellent men, well equipped, and some of them enjoy very good armories. Yet they come year after year to the maneuvers or camps of instruction with no ade- quate preparation for such advanced work. To such officers we appeal to establish some rational course for the training of their men, at home, in the armory, remembering that once launched into the field, either in active service or in mimic warfare at maneuvers, it is too late to try to make soldiers. That should be done as far as possible before you come. The maneuvers are a school for officers, in which they are to move the battalions and squadrons and batteries in the great game like chessmen on the board. If the drill has been neglected, if the units lack discipline and cohesion, you are defeated before you begin.
CHAPTER III.
The Soldier's Health.
It has generally been found difficult to interest soldiers in proper measures for the care of their health. The National Guardsman or volunteer is willing to take his chances in battle, and if wounded, knows that the surgeon and hospital corps men will be at hand to care for him. But he makes little cal- culation on the ravages of disease and, unless he is well disciplined, often disregards the regulations prescribed for his protection. He should bear in mind, however, that in all our wars disease has killed more than twice as many men as bullets. In the great con- flict of 1861-5 the Union Armies lost in round num- bers about 100,000 killed or died of wounds while over 200,000 died of disease. And in our brief war with Spain the disproportion was even much greater. Campaigns have failed and the general's best laid plans have had to be abandoned because of a large sick report. A sick man not only drops out of ranks him- self but he requires some other man to drop out to care for him, and he fills a place in the ambulance or hospital which should be reserved for the wounded.
MAKING A SOLDIER. 37
It will therefore be seen that it is of the utmost importance to preserve the health of the men. Pre- ponderance of fire is the great desideratum in battle and the captain must therefore strive to bring to the firing line every rifle in his company. If the com- pany is so reduced by disease and by details caring for the sick that it cannot fill its allotted space, its effectiveness is destroyed. Weak and demoralized companies are left at the rear to guard the trains.
Company commanders sometimes seem to think that they are not responsible for the health of their men. They say the Medical Department is charged with all matters relating to disease ; if the men fall sick it is the doctor's business to cure them. But this is a very mistaken notion, calculated to do infinite harm. Every company or detachment commander is quite as responsible as the surgeon, in fact, more so, and it is a grave reflection on his fitness for his position if he habitually has a large sick list. It in- dicates that something is wrong and he is not correct- ing it. The experience of late wars shows that the diseases which most commonly attack soldiers, such as typhoid fever and bowel disorders, are preventable. Therefore it is the commanding officer's business to do his utmost to prevent their appearance. If they
38 MAKING A SOLDIER.
prevail to any extent in camp it indicates that some- body is neglecting his duty. Company commanders should therefore instruct their men in the simple elements of hygiene before going to camp. If there is a medical officer available invite him to give the company a few brief talks. If not, perhaps some physician of the city would be willing to lend his assistance.
Immediately upon arrival in camp (and before, if possible) see that proper latrines are provided. Form the company and warn them against polluting the ground. Indeed, it would be safer to do this before they are allowed to break ranks. Explain to them again, what the surgeon has probably told them be- fore, how flies carry infection and why they should all help to keep the excreta covered and the camp clean. Let every man see that you are relying on him individually to do his part to preserve the health and the reputation of the command. Do not fail to inspect the latrines and kitchens and quarters every day. These inspections are prescribed by Army Regulations but in some National Guard camps they are very little observed. If there is a speck of food, a potato skin, an egg shell, a lemon peel, a scrap of meat, a crumb of bread, a spoonful of coffee grounds — any-
MAKING A SOLDIER. 39
thing, in short, which can attract a fly or create an odor, or offend the sight, call the kitchen police or fatigue detail and have it attended to on the spot. Take no chances. Do not leave the spot till you see it done. You may remain only a few days or a week in camp, but do not neglect it on that account. The camp is a camp of instruction and no lesson is more important than this.
It would be well for the Commanding Officer to instruct the Officer of the Day and one of his sur- geons to go over the entire camp at least once every day. The Officer of the Day should require every delinquent to clean up his grounds immediately. The surgeon should be directed to make a written report of unsatisfactory conditions and this should be re- ferred to the offending company commander for such explanation as he may wish to submit. A repeated offense or habitual negligence should receive drastic treatment.
Official inspection reports show in some states a 'remarkable inattention to the personal appearance and habits of the men. It would be advisable just before going to camp to see that every man has his hair cut. Army Regulations require that the hair and beard be kept neatly trimmed, and yet men are sometimes seen
40 MAKING A SOLDIER.
at guard mounting and other ceremonies who look as tho they had not seen a razor for a month. First Sergeants have been seen to march a detail out to guard mounting in very unkempt condition, some with blouses unbuttoned, a collar turned up or orna- ments missing, tobacco in the mouth, the hat cocked into a grotesque shape, perhaps a fancy badge or decoration pinning up one side. These are little de- tails which may not seem important but they catch the eye of an Inspector and mark the difference between a soldier and a bumpkin. If the man is careful to observe orders in these apparently trifling matters, being neat in person, having his clothing and shoes clean, and the grounds about his tent properly policed, the chances are that he can be relied on in other details and will do his part to maintain the health and efficiency of the command.
National Guard officers often grow discouraged when they contemplate the innumerable requirements essential to the making of a soldier, but whatever else they may be tempted to omit they should ever bear in mind that without health their effectiveness is gone, and no matter how excellent their equipment, how perfect their drill, how accurate their shooting or fine their maneuvers, if, when the hour of action ar-
MAKING A SOLDIER. 41
rives, half their men are sick and half the remainder engaged in taking care of the sick, as was the case with some of the regiments in 1898, they are of no value in the field. In fact they are an impediment, as they have to be fed and clothed and paid, and yet render no service in return.
It hardly seems necessary in these days of physical culture to suggest the military value of athletic sports and games. Nothing contributes more to the con- tentment (and therefore the health) of soldiers than a rational intermixture of duty and amusement. It is an old saying that "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Every encouragement should therefore be given to such games as base-ball, foot-ball, polo, etc., and where troops are to be located in semi- permanent camps they should be allowed liberal opportunity to hunt and fish. To promote athletic training Field Days should be instituted and competi- tion aroused among the companies in such events as running, jumping, relay racing, wall scaling, tent pitching, rescue racing, etc.
Care should be taken in rainy or cold weather to see that men do not remain indoors too much. Card playing and other sedentary games help to while away the hours, but if soldiers neglect to get out and
42 MAKING A SOLDIER.
move about a portion of each day they cannot be kept in prime physical condition.
Every one appreciates the stirring inspiration of good music, especially of the war songs of one's country. In some foreign armies the influence of music is so highly valued that certain men are de- tailed in each company to lead the singing, and all soldiers are taught and required to join in singing the patriotic and martial airs of the land. Frequent band concerts should be given wherever there is a band available, and the men should also be encouraged to form glee clubs. Sometimes there is a funny man who can sing a side splitting song, or tell a good story, or make a humorous speech. He is worth much to the company. Sometimes one will give an exhibi- tion in the "black art," or possibly a clever group can be organized to give open air theatricals.
All these and similar amusements are valuable in their effect on the spirits of the men, and go far towards promoting good feeling and therefore good health.
Let us repeat, then, that it must ever be the ambi- tion of the company commander to bring every possible rifle to the firing line. To do this he must preserve the health of his men; and to preserve the
MAKING A SOLDIER. 43
health of his men requires intelligent and unremitting attention to sanitary details. He is not only respon- sible for the cooking and regularity of his company's meals, the proper use of their clothing and bedding, the ventilation of their quarters or tents, the cleanli- ness of their habits, and the daily exercise of their bodies, but also for the contentment of their minds. If after he has done his utmost there is still sickness, discontent, and lack of efficiency, he cannot be held to blame. But this will seldom happen, for while it is no easy matter to be a competent company commander the captain will nevertheless find that just in propor- tion as he approaches the requirements of good health and good discipline will his company be found ready, reliable and responsive to his will.
CHAPTER IV.
The Soldier's Habits.
Intemperate language, like immoderate drinking or other vicious habits, is liable to injure a soldier more than other men. The soldier is looked upon in a special sense as the guardian of the people's lib- erties and the defender of the flag. If he is seen in an intoxicated condition, or if his language is coarse and obscene, public confidence is shaken and respect for the uniform is liable to be impaired. Members of the legislature have been known to refuse their sup- port to appropriations for the National Guard be- cause they believed the camps were mere picnic occa- sions where the men received a modicum of drill and spent most of their time in drinking and carousing. They doubtless were led to this erroneous idea by hav- ing seen or heard of some rowdy conduct in some par- ticular camps and thus formed a sweeping opinion that all military camps must be of the same bad character. Any gross conduct or rough language by a soldier in uniform thus not only compromises himself but tends also to bring his company and regiment, and indeed the entire army, into disrepute. In the middle ages the
MAKING A SOLDIER. 45
boisterous conduct of soldiers often so disgusted and terrorized the people that they dreaded to have them even pass through the country, and their forbidding appearance and coarse profanity became proverbial. Shakespeare reflects this sentiment where he speaks of—
"The soldier, full of strange oaths, And bearded like the pard."
This distrust of the soldier has come down to the present day, as we find it manifest in the reluctance of farmers to rent their lands for the use of maneu- vers, fearing the soldiers may commit depredations. Happily, however, for the knightly profession of arms today, the soldier is no longer permitted to be a ruf- fian, and any officer who is convicted of conduct un- becoming a gentleman is dismissed from the service. Officers and men should strive in every way by the excellence of their conduct to overcome these unfor- tunate prejudices.
Bringing liquor into camp is prohibited by existing orders in the army, but under the statutes of some of the states the militia may be permitted to maintain a respectable canteen. Under such circumstances there will be no temptation to go outside, and under no circumstances should men be permitted to patron-
46 MAKING A SOLDIER.
ize the "joints" which usually infest the outskirts. Let every captain remind his men, and not weary in reiterating, that however much freedom of language or habit they may indulge while in citizen's clothes, the moment they put on the uniform they assume new obligations to society, and the eyes of the people are on them. So long as they remain in uniform their conduct must be such as to excite no reproach. And let every soldier remember that his uniform is the livery of his country, that it is an honor to be per- mitted to wear it, and that, like the flag, it should be held too sacred to be compromised by conduct offen- sive to the just sentiment of the people.
It is related that an officer at Gen. Grant's head- quarters once proposed to tell a story, but before be- ginning asked if there were any ladies within hearing. Gen. Grant replied that there were no ladies near, but if the story was not fit to be told in the presence of ladies he did not care to hear it himself.
Soldiers, perhaps, cannot all be expected to reach this high plane, but while in uniform at least they would do well to bear in mind the great captain's ex- ample.
CHAPTER V.
Records.
It may not appear at first thought that the correct keeping of company records can have much bearing on the making of a soldier. But if we recall the old saying that "an army moves on its belly" we shall un- derstand the importance of keeping our ration returns right and of seeing that a strict account is kept of the company fund. Likewise the duty roster is of most vital concern to insure that every man is given fair treatment and not required to do more than his share nor permitted to escape his regular turn. The Morn- ing Report, showing the exact status of the organiza- tion each day, giving the names of those who have "gone sick," those who are absent, those who have returned to duty, the gains and losses, is the basis upon which all details are made, and in its aggregate in the higher commands may determine the place of a regiment in march or battle. A regiment whose morn- ing report shows a large percentage sick or absent would not likely be chosen for service at the front.
Notwithstanding the importance of these records, official inspections of the organized militia reveal the
48 MAKING A SOLDIER.
fact that they are frequently full of errors. Indeed, in some organizations they seem to be much neg- lected or not in use at all; even the muster rolls are often carelessly prepared. In one regiment which fell under my notice at a maneuver camp the muster rolls were sent back no less than twelve times by the Pay- master, thus delaying payment for several days. In other regiments certain men were carried "sick" with- out the knowledge of the surgeon, and even in disre- gard of the fact that he had marked,. them "duty;" some were put on "special duty" without the author- ity of the commanding officer and in some companies it was observed that the morning reports had not been signed, and, in fact, bore no evidence of having been even seen by the company commander. These matters may not seem to be of much moment in a camp of instruction, but if not learned and practiced there they will bring a rich harvest of trouble when war comes.
Army Regulations prescribe what records shall be kept and the service manuals and printed models and instructions show in detail how they are to be posted from day to day. If every soldier knows that an accurate account is being kept of his clothing and ra- tions and tours of duty ; that no favoritism is possible
MAKING A SOLDIER. 49
because the duty roster gives every man credit for his guard, his fatigue, his detached service, his kitchen police, or other special duty, and likewise charges every man with his furloughs, his absence without leave, his confinement in the guard house, or other escape or evasion of duty; if he knows, in short, that every man will get just treatment "without partiality, favor or affection" as the law expresses it, he will be satisfied, there will be a spirit of contentment in the company, and this will help measurably in discipline and efficiency.
CHAPTER VI. Conclusion.
It has been my endeavor in the foregoing pages to emphasize the paramount importance of discipline. In- dispensable as this quality has always been in the mak- ing of a soldier, even in the long ago when men fought with clubs and spears, it is a thousandfold more so today with our rapid loading rifles and far reach- ing guns. So long as men could be held together in close order and therefore within the grasp of their commander their action could be directed and their fire controlled. The enemy could be seen and his de- ployments observed long before he could be hit. But under modern fire, masses are compelled to break up and pass into dispersed or extended order at great distances. Thus they get "out of hand/' and the task of direction and control becomes infinitely difficult. Greatly increased responsibility therefore has fallen upon the commanders of smaller units, and even the squad leader will have opportunity to put into practice all the military skill he has acquired. Recent wars furnish many striking illustrations. Observers in the Russo-Japanese conflict report that the artillery fire was so searching and so overwhelming as to dominate
MAKING A SOLDIER. 51
the entire field. To escape this sweeping hail storm, opposing troops were not only compelled to keep out of sight but to execute all of their principal movements under cover of night.*
Now this necessity of marching by night and keep- ing under cover by day, of suffering losses from an unseen foe without being able to reply, of breaking up and losing cohesion long before coming into action — disintegrating as it were just at the moment when cohesion and mutual support are most needed — all im- pose a nervous strain on officers and men never before known in war. It is well recognized that nothing is so exhausting to troops as a long night march, and where such marches are of frequent occurrence, and culmi- nate as they so often did in Manchuria in bloody night assaults, it requires the best attainable discipline to hold men together. If the soldier in our next war is
*Gen. de Negrier, who is recognized as one of the highest living military authorities, in his description of the battle at Tashishan, says: "In the meanwhile the ist Russian Corps ^held the enemy the whole day on its front with six batteries, supported on the outer wing by two additional batteries. * * Not a single Russian infantry soldier was engaged, and yet the Japanese were unable to push their own infantry nearer to the Russian guns than a distance of i^ miles. As the war went on it became quite clear that artillery was the dominant factor by day, while infantry could seldom act effectively except by night."
52 MAKING A SOLDIER.
as little prepared as were the boys who fell out to pick blackberries on the way to Bull Run how many will ever return to tell the story of the resulting debacle! Let us not shut our eyes and refuse to see the facts. This is no fantastic speculation. It is the teaching of our own history. Gen. Sherman said that it was not until after both Vicksburg and Gettysburg that the northern armies could be handled profession- ally. It took two years of constant training, accented by not a few humiliating defeats, to learn the habit of the soldier. And this history will repeat itself with far greater humiliation if ever again we commit the crime of sending untrained, unsuspecting, helpless boys to the field of battle as we did in 1861.
In urging the National Guard and, thru them, the people of the United States to aid in the development of an effective Reserve, the professional soldier is lia- ble to be misunderstood. He will perhaps be sus- pected of seeking to magnify the power of the sword. Educators have been known to discountenance military training in schools because they discover in the mili- tary spirit the seeds of imperialism and a menace to our cherished democratic institutions. The tendency of military organization is towards strong government, and ultimately, they tell us, towards a militant nation.
MAKING A SOLDIER. 53
But, turning again to our own history, we find that no American commander has ever yet lost touch with the people. The American soldier springs from the people and to the people he feels accountable. So long as he remains a volunteer and not a conscript or a hireling, his service will be a service of love. He deplores the havoc of war as only the intelligent, the brave, the noble hearted can. He does not wage war for the love of carnage or the glory of conquest, but for the love of liberty, in the cause of humanity and for the succor of the down trodden and oppressed. This was so in 1812, in 1846, in 1898. And where his countrymen have become involved in bitter interne- cine strife he has been seen to cling tenaciously to his people and cast his lot with the place of his birth. Preeminently the American soldier is one of the peo- ple and not of any caste or class.
Moreover, he realizes as fully perhaps as other citizens of the Republic that the desolating effects of war do not stop with the field of battle but are projected far into the future, imposing blights and burdens on posterity for genera- tions to come. He probably appreciates quite as clearly as any soldier before him the truth of the philosopher's indictment that "the essential feature
54 MAKING A SOLDIER.
of war is the slaughter of the young, the brave, the ambitious, the hopeful, leaving the weak, the sickly, the discouraged, to perpetuate the race."* And it is just because of his intelligent understanding of these facts, because of his devotion to the people, to the sa- cred institutions of his country, to the cause of hu- manity, to human freedom and justice and fair play, and because of his keen apprehension of the melan- choly effects which follow in the train of war that he pleads with his countrymen to prepare in order that these evil days may be postponed and if possible pushed far into the distant future.
The American soldier is familiar enough with the trend of events to recognize that conditions may sud- denly arise, even in this refined age, when a rash ap- peal to arms can only be averted by the persuasive appearance of a battle ship ; and no matter how right- eous our cause or long-suffering our forbearance the only means in such instance of securing a respectful hearing in the halls of diplomacy is through readiness to strike. But readiness to strike means also readi- ness to defend. The offensive and defensive are so interdependent that they can not be separated. There-
*The Philosophy of Hope, by President Jordan of Stanford University.
MAKING A SOLDIER. 55
fore, again we say, he pleads with his countrymen to prepare, and he asks that our little army, wholly inadequate as it is even for the requirements of peace, be put on a proper basis, and that it be supported by a thoroly qualified Reserve. He urges that this be done now, while yet there is time, while the dogs of war are sleeping. "Modern War/' Lord Roberts warns us, "moves fast, and time lost in peace can never be made up during the stress of the Campaign." So, we in- sist, there should be no further delay, and a promising place to begin certainly seems to be in the National Guard. Every intelligent National Guardsman recog- nizes the necessity of enough regular soldiers to give a reasonable relief on foreign stations, and at least one relief at our sea coast guns. They should also endeavor to expand their own organization to at least double its present size.
But before very material development can be hoped for there must be a great change in the attitude of the people. Instead of employers refusing to spare their men for a few short days in camp, as many now do, there should be such an enlightenment of public senti- ment, that any man who seeks, for fear of a losing few paltry dollars, to evade or compel others to evade, this paramount obligation of citizenship, shall be
56 MAKING A SOLDIER.
branded as an unpatriotic citizen, and held up to the reprobation of the community in which he lives.
For the creation of such a sentiment and for the development of a suitable and effective reserve the American soldier will continue to labor, and he ap- peals to all National Guardsmen to join him in this worthy endeavor. In this effort, as I have suggested in the preceding pages, the Guardsmen should ever bear in mind that the best and perhaps only effective way of educating the people is by object lessons; to be not only in name and appearance but -in training, in deportment, in spirit, soldiers. In a word, to become disciplined. Having thus disarmed the people of ridi- cule and distrust and won their respect and esteem, it will then be easy to save them from the dreams of visionaries and the sophisms of doctrinaires.
"War," wrote Napier in his great history, "is the condition of this world." Peace conferences and in- ternational conventions may seek to mitigate its hard- ships, but only adequate preparation can hope to hold it at bay.
Sincerely, devoutly, we may unite with Bishop Potter in the beautiful prayer of his church, "Give peace in our time, Oh Lord," yet as sincerely and con- sistently may we agree with him when he says, "Not in your day or mine, nor as long as the world lasts will there be cessation of war."
CHAPTER VIL
Questions and Answers.
Introduction .
1 Q. What is a National Army Reserve?
A. It is an organized body of men, uniformed, armed, equipped and trained for the purpose of reinforcing the Regular or Standing Army in case of war.
2 Q. Of what should it consist?
A. It should consist of proper proportions of all branches of the service, including Staff Corps, such as Adjutants and Inspectors General, Quartermasters, Subsistence Officers, Judge Advocates, Medical officers & Hospital Corp men, Paymaster and Signal Corps. Also regi- ments of Engineers, Field Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry.
3 Q. Do all great nations maintain an Army Re-
serve ? A. Yes, all except the United States.
4 Q. How does it come that we have none?
A. Our grandfathers tried to create one by pass- ing a law in 1795 requiring every able bodied man between 18 and 45 to be enrolled and
58 MAKING A SOLDIER.
drill, but the system was unpopular and grad- ually fell into disuse.
5 Q. How do the European Nations maintain their
Reserves ?
A. By conscription or compulsory service, simi- lar to our law of 1795.
6 Q. What system does the United States depend
upon when soldiers are needed? A. Ever since the old law of 1795 fell into disuse we have depended on volunteers.
7 Q. Has the volunteer system proved satisfactory? A. No, it might do for a single campaign but in
a long war it fails.
8 Q. Do you mean to say that it was a failure in
the great Civil War between the North and the South which was fought out by volun- teers ?
A. Yes. As the war progressed the people grew tired and men ceased to enlist. Soldiers then had to be obtained by the payment of big bounties. This also failed, and finally resort was had to the "Draft."
9 Q. Is there any other defect in the volunteer sys-
tem?
MAKING A SOLDIER. 59
A. Yes; it allows the unpatriotic, the shirks and cowards to stay at home, while the brave and heroic go to the front to fight their country's battles.
10 Q. Has any effort been made in the United
States to prepare a Reserve since the old law of 1795 failed?
A. Yes; the Dick Militia Law, passed in 1903, recognizes the National Guard as the organ- ized Militia, and is intended to encourage and assist them in their equipment and training.
11 Q. Why should we seek to develop reserve troops
in time of Peace when they are intended for service only in war?
A. Because it requires considerable time to make a soldier, and modern wars rise so suddenly that we have no time to prepare after the storm has burst.
12 Q. Under our present system is it possible for a
militia company to attain a satisfactory state of preparation for war?
A. Yes ; inspection reports show some organiza- tions excellent in every respect.
*3 Q- What appear to be the principal defects indi- cated by Inspecting officers?
60 MAKING A SOLDIER.
A. Lack of discipline. Many companies appear to be merely uniformed rifle clubs, with military incidents.
14 Q. What are the causes of this?
A. Various, but chiefly due to neglect of drill.
Discipline.
15 Q. What is discipline? A. Discipline is a habit.
16 Q. Is this habit easily and quickly acquired?
A. No; it is of slow growth, especially among Americans.
17 Q. Why is its growth specially slow among Amer-
icans ?
A. Because of the great personal liberty which they enjoy, their strong individuality and inde- pendence, the absence of caste or class dis- tinctions and the light restraints they are un- der in childhood.*
^Referring to the differences between American and Eng- lish character "The Grand Old Man," Gladstone, once said, "The English people are not believers in equality; they do not, with the famous Declaration of July 4th, 1776, think it to be a self-evident truth that all men are born equal. They hold, rather, the reverse of that proposition. * * Their nat- ural tendency, from the very base of British society, and through all its strongly built gradations, is to look upward." This remark applies with equal force to the people of all European nations. They begin to acquire the habit of disci- pline long before they enter the army.— A. C. S.
MAKING A SOLDIER. 61
18 Q. Do these conditions render them less capable
of becoming good soldiers ?
A. On the contrary, when once thoroly trained the American becomes the best soldier in the world.
19 Q. On what do you base this opinion?
A. This is the testimony of many competent mili- tary critics who have observed and compared the soldiery of all the great Nations of the world.
20 Q. Then we may feel quite secure against for-
eign armies seeing that military experts recog- nize the great superiority of our soldiers?
A. By no means. Our raw material is fine but without effective training it is worse than use- less.
21 Q. Why worse than useless?
A. Because, as Bismark once said, "an army without discipline is not only useless in war, but dangerous in peace."
22 Q. Then as discipline is of slow growth, espe-
cially among Americans, what should we do in order to be ready for war?
62 MAKING A SOLDIER.
A. We should have a large reserve in time of peace, and it should not only be fully uniform- ed, equipped and armed, but thoroly drilled.
23 Q. Then you think that a company suddenly re-
cruited at the outbreak of war and not having acquired the habit which we call discipline, would not be of much military value?
A. It would not be available for any military use at all. It would be merely a uniformed as- sembly of men with a military name. To al- low such a body of men to go to the front would be not only cruel to them but might be disastrous to the army. History furnishes many sad examples of this.
24 Q. Explain more fully what is meant by this habit
which is so slowly learned and which we call discipline.
A. Discipline means primarily respect for author- ity: not merely in theory or because we per- sonally like the man in authority, but in un- conscious or spontaneous action.
25 Q- What is meant by unconscious or spontaneous
action ?
MAKING A SOLDIER. 63
A. Doing a thing "without thinking/' Thus a man throws out his hand to balance himself when his foot slips.
26 Q. How would this apply to a soldier's duty?
A. His hand should spring to his hat or cap on meeting an officer as instantly and smartly as if he were slipping.
27 Q. But suppose the officer neglects to return the
salute ?
A. That makes no difference to the soldier. He is not responsible for the conduct of the offi- cer.
28 Q. In what other ways does discipline develop a
soldier?
A. In many ways. For instance he should be so thoroly grounded in the "position of the sol- dier" as unconsciously to bring his heels to- gether in ranks or when he speaks or is spoken to by an officer.
2§ Q. Inspectors often criticise companies because men have been seen to spit in ranks, or raise their hands, or gaze about. Why are these little things considered so serious as to call for remark in an official report ?
64 MAKING A SOLDIER.
A. These and many similar faults, such as slow- ness in falling in, talking, chewing, laughing or even smiling, all betray inattention and lack of training. They show that there is little or no discipline and that the men therefore have not yet become soldiers.
30 Q. Can a well disciplined soldier be distinguished
from other persons even when he is in citizen's clothes ?
A. Yes, by his military bearing, his erect carriage, his alert air, his courtesy and especially by the natural way he stands and moves.
31 Q. The position of the soldier is rather strained
and difficult, is it not?
A. No, it is the natural position. A relaxed and slouching position is unnatural and unsightly. It contracts the chest, undermines the health and weakens the resolution.
32 Q. Describe the appearance of the two organiza-
tions mentioned in the text, showing the dif- ference between a company that is disciplined and one that is not. (See text.)
Drill
33 Q. What is drill?
MAKING A SOLDIER. 65
A. It is a system of exercises whereby men are taught to act together at the will of the com- mander.
34 Q. What is the most important part of the drill ? A. The school of the soldier, because it inculcates
the military habit called discipline.
35 Q. Does drill consist in merely learning how to
do an exercise ?
A. No ; it means such a repetition of it that finally a man stands and moves and acts in a sol- dierly way "without thinking."
36 Q. Give some illustration. (See chapter on Drill.)
37 Q. Should drill be confined strictly to the move-
ments laid down in the book? A. No. It is liable to become monotonous, and effort should therefore be made to vary it by brief inspections, orderly duty, guard duty, etc.
38 Q. Describe what this brief inspection should be.
(See Drill.)
39 Q. Describe how orderly duty should be taught.
(See Drill.)
40 Q. Describe how you would teach sentinels' duty.
(See Drill.)
66 MAKING A SOLDIER.
41 Q. Should we devote much attention to fine
points in drilling?
A. No, but exactness and precision with prompt- ness are as important as ever. The tendency at present is towards too much relaxation.
42 Q. What is said in the text about setting up exer-
cises? (See Drill.)
43 Q. How should saluting be taught ?
A. By constant practice, and by constant correc- tion.
44 Q. Is saluting hard to learn ?
A. Yes, some men never learn it. They go thru awkward and hesitating motions, but never get any "snap."
45 Q- What is the best method of teaching a man to
salute?
A. After he has learned the motions at drill, send him to deliver a message to some officer.
46 Q. Describe how you would proceed in this.
A. I would say to the man. "Present my com- pliments to Captain B, and ask him if he will please tell me at what hour recall will sound," etc. (Giving any message suited to the occa- sion.) Then I would explain to him just how he was to halt and salute and the words he
MAKING A SOLDIER. 67
was to use thus : "Lieut. A presents his com- pliments to Captain B, and asks if he will please tell him when recall will sound/' etc. I would then instruct the man to salute, after receiving the Captain's answer, make an about face, and return and deliver the reply in the same manner. I would have him rehearse this several times with me before going to the Captain. This exercise should be repeated every drill night with every man for at least one year.
47 Q- Why is this instruction so important?
A. It makes the man self reliant, cultivates mili- tary bearing, and thus helps discipline.
48 Q. Should corporals be given frequent command
of their squads?
A. Yes, the more the better. Every corporal should be required to drill his own squad a few minutes at each drill. All non-commis- sioned officers should be given opportunity to command.
49 Q- What is the tendency in drill in the National
Guard ?
A. To go too fast. There is so much ground to get over and such short time to cover it that tfce drill is slighted.
68 MAKING A SOLDIER.
50 Q. What is the effect?
A. Men who hurry over the drill do not acquire discipline. When they come to the maneuvers they "go to pieces ;" they are not fit for ad- vanced instruction. To send poorly drilled troops to maneuvers is a waste of both time and money.
Health.
51 Q. Why should soldiers be taught to care for
their health?
A. Because camp diseases generally kill many more men than bullets.
52 Q. What was the proportion in the great civil
war?
A. The Union Armies lost in round numbers 100,000 killed and wounded while over 200,- ooo died of disease.
53 Q- What other effect besides the loss of men
does disease entail?
A. The sick man not only drops out himself but he requires some one to care for him, and he fills a place in the ambulance or hospital which should be reserved for the wounded.
MAKING A SOLDIER. 69
54 Q. Is the company commander responsible for
the health of his men?
A. Yes, it is his business to do everything in his power to keep his men well. Therefore he watches over their habits and food and sleep- ing places, with great care.
55 Q. What precautions should be taken?
A. All men should be instructed as far as possible before going to camp. After arrival in camp the first thing to be done is to construct la- trines, and again caution the men not to pol- lute the ground.
56 Q. Why should men not be permitted to throw
scraps of food about ?
A. Because they attract flies, and flies carry dis- ease.
57 Q. What has been the history of American troops
in regard to this matter?
A. In nearly all our camps there has been too lit- tle attention paid to it, and in some of them the percentage of sickness has been very high.
58 Q. Does a large sick report indicate a good state
of discipline?
70 MAKING A SOLDIER.
A. No. It indicates that the discipline is lax, that the men are not soldiers, and have not learned how to obey orders.
59 Q- What is the best method of teaching men how
to preserve their health?
A. By requiring- them to practice personal clean- liness, to keep their hair cut and beard trim- med, to bathe frequently and wash their clothes, to clean their shoes, and keep their buttons on, the collar turned down, their hat in proper shape, etc. After, a man acquires these personal habits it will be more natural for him to keep his tent clean, and not to litter or soil the ground.
60 Q. What is 'said in the text of the value of ath-
letic sports? (See III. The Soldier's Health.)
61 Q. What is said of music and amusements ?
(See III. The Soldier's Health.)
Habits.
62 Q. Why should a soldier in uniform be more
particular about his habits than other men ? (See VI. The Soldier's Habits.)
63 Q. What was the character of soldiers in the
Middle Ages? (See Text.)
MAKING A SOLDIER, 71
64 Q. Is the conduct of military men better today
than it was then? (See Text.)
65 Q. What is the difference between gross conduct
by a soldier in uniform and by a citizen. A. The misconduct of a citizen probably injures nobody but himself, whereas the bad conduct of a soldier not only injures himself, but ex- cites the apprehension and resentment of the public against all other soldiers. It makes the military unpopular and people become unwill- ing to have troops camp near them.
NOTE. — The foregoing questions can be extended at the discretion of the Instructor. It is suggested that a class be formed in each company of non-commissioned officers and selected privates. One chapter should be read aloud and briefly commented on by the Instructor. At the next meeting it should be reviewed and the men called upon to answer the questions. After completing all the chapters in this way a general review should be had just before going to camp.
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