Scripto · Transcription Project

Wikitext

zes so much sill skill in the individual officers. The severity of Roman discipline as well understood, and the estimation in which it was held by ''Caesar''. ''Livy'' has observed, that ''science'' does more in the war than ''force''. ''Vigicius'', that is neither ''numbers'', nor ''blind valor'' which insures victory, but that it generally follows ''capacity'' and ''science in war''. ''Machiavel'', who has written upon military affairs, placed so much dependence on ''exact discipline'', and ''military science'', as to efface from his list of great generals, all those, who with ''small armies'', did not execute ''great things'': but to the committee, it is unnecessary to repeat the authorities of generals and writers of the first reputation, to shew the high importance attached to military science and discipline in all ages of the world or to resort to history for evidence of its effects. They must be well acquainted with the facts, and no doubt will give them their due weight in considering the subjects now before them.

There is however an authority, so much in point relative to the essentiality of the institution question, that I cannot forbear to mention it.

The Marshall de ''Puisegur'' [Jacques de Chastenet, Marquis of Puységur (1665–1743), Marshal of France in 1734], who has left an excellent treatise on the art of war, the result of his experience, observes:

"I have been perhaps at as many sieges as any of those in service, and in all sorts of grades; as subaltern I have commanded troops and working parties in a siege; as Major I have conducted to the trenches and posts to which they were destined troops and laborers; I have been Major of Brigade, Marshal de Camp, and Lieutenant General: however, as I have not learned fortification, my practice has not enabled me to equip myself in conducting attacks, so that I should be obliged to suffer myself to be instructed in many things by the lights of Engineers, their practice being founded upon principles which are known to them, an advantage I have not in this branch of war."

This is the candidate knowledge meant of a man who has served sixty years in the army, who has learned

HTML

zes so much sill skill in the individual officers. The severity of Roman discipline as well understood, and the estimation in which it was held by Caesar. Livy has observed, that science does more in the war than force. Vigicius, that is neither numbers, nor blind valor which insures victory, but that it generally follows capacity and science in war. Machiavel, who has written upon military affairs, placed so much dependence on exact discipline, and military science, as to efface from his list of great generals, all those, who with small armies, did not execute great things: but to the committee, it is unnecessary to repeat the authorities of generals and writers of the first reputation, to shew the high importance attached to military science and discipline in all ages of the world or to resort to history for evidence of its effects. They must be well acquainted with the facts, and no doubt will give them their due weight in considering the subjects now before them.

There is however an authority, so much in point relative to the essentiality of the institution question, that I cannot forbear to mention it.

The Marshall de Puisegur [Jacques de Chastenet, Marquis of Puységur (1665–1743), Marshal of France in 1734], who has left an excellent treatise on the art of war, the result of his experience, observes:

This is the candidate knowledge meant of a man who has served sixty years in the army, who has learned

Revision: 1800/TJH02_7.jpg

Revision as of 13:38:57, 15 October 2020 by Sawalton

Wikitext

HTML