g 14 BIMDERS THAT COST. Von Moltke's History Shows How Hany Lives Were Thrown Away THE. PITTSBURG, DISPATCH, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1891 DURLXG THE FfiAXCO-GERlIAN WAR Mistafces of the Red Princs and the Im portance of Cautioa. WOLSELET AFTER THE TRANSLATORS The third and last of Lord Wolseley's letter, reviewing Yon Jloltke'a book on the Franco-German war, secured especially for Tnc Dispatch, appears bslow: In the Ehort space which remains to me I only propose in this article to deal with the earlier phase of the Franco-German war. I shall enuca or to select from what Ton Moltke has written about it, those comments in which he deals with those de batable questions on which the Staff His tory is silent, or has not ventured to crit icise or to pronounce upon authoritatively. At the battle of Mars la Tour, as every military student knows, the Third German Army Corps under Alvenleben, Tilth two divisions of cavalry, held the whole French army at bay. Seven hours of hard fighting were endnred before any assistance arrived. In the evening, just before dark. Prince Frederick Charles reached the battlefield and assumed command. Before that time, the Tenth Corps had also arrived upon the ground, and some other slight reinforce ments had been received, but no more could be hoped for. All that could now be ex pected or desired was to retain the ad vantages already gained. Yet the Eed Prince ordered a general attack upon the whole French front by the -ery inferior force then at his disposal. Oue of the MUtaVei of the War. This was undoubtedly a serious blunder, and the mode in which Von Holke conveys to his reader that he thought so, is delicate but unmistakable. He describes the fearful losses the German troops had sustained in officers, men and horses, the exhausted condition of those who remained, and their great difficulty in maintaining the fight, and in holding the French Army where it then was. He says: "Jt was not desirable to challenge the ery superior forces of the enemy by a. renewed attack, and when no further reinforcements were to be hoped for, to place in jeopardy the results already gained at such a cost." Nevertheless, about 7 r. M-, an order of the Headquarters (of the Second Army) decreed a renewd ana general advance upon the enemy's position. He then describes the unfortunate and fruit less result of this attempt, already so well known, but not clearly indicated in the Official History. Agam, further on, hitting the Red Prince with still more directness, he thus com ments upon the movements which immedi ately preceded the Battle of Gravelotte: "As the Commander in Chief of the Second Army ordered the Twelfth Corps to form the extreme left of that army, although it was then on its right, a considerable delay ensued through the crossing of the columns." The result of this ill-judged order was that the Guard Corps was not able to advance until nearly 9 o ciocfc A. M. This was a serious matter; it had a grave it might have been a disastrous bearing upon the issue of the battle, fought, as it v as, under such peculiar conditions. A Peculiarity of the Battle. The reader must remember that in this, the greatest battle of the war, the greatest since the days of Napoleon, both sides fought nith their backs to their enemy's country. The German army, moving into position from'ihe south, had to form line to its right by Ejcccs6ive Army Corps. It was consequently of tne utmost importance that this line should be formed with the least possible loss of time. The orders for this battle w ere issued at 12 A. SL, and it was light enough to have moved easily at 3 A.3I. A delay of six most important hours fol lowed upon this definite mistake on the part of Prince Frederick Charles. But if Count von Moltke is ready to point out the errors of others, he is equally pre pared to find fault with himself He tells is it was a mistake on his part to have al low ed the German 2nd Army Corps, which only reached the field of battle late in the evening, to attack when it did. The hour was too la-.e to admit of any useful result from such an attack then, and the services of such an Army Corps intact would have been invaluable the loUowing day. He does not record with equal clearness his opinion upon the causes of the other disasters which befell the Germans in this battle. He assumes those causes are now very generally well known, and he evi dently dees net wish to write anything that might be distasteful in very high quarters. This is very natural, but when Koj al per sonages hold commands in the field, they must expect to ha e their conduct and ac tions as closely criticised by those who v rite upon the war as would be the doings of Generals Smith or Jones. The verses of the B,oyal rhymer which will not scan, can no longer be accepted as poetry. W hat Von ilolti-o Might Have TdiO. There is, however, a graphic description of the terrible repulse experienced by the Ninth Corps, with which the battle began. Besides the battery that was directly at tacked by the French infantry, he tells us all the remaining batteries were br 2 p. at almost incapable of taking any effective part j iu mu uuuug. ne is Tery reuccm as to the causes of this disaster, and his reticence on the point is very much to be regretted. Neither docs he tell us anything regarding the circumstances which led to the retire ment of General Steinmetz. It is commonly reported to have grown out of a quarrel be tween that gallant old soldier and Pinco Frederick Charles. He certainly seems to lean rather toward tho side of General Steinmetz and against that of the Prince. Earlier in this work, he notices, what is well known to all students of this war, that during the movements hich preceded the battle of Spicheren, Steinmetz had pushed his troops into a much more advanced position than had been intended for him, and that some serious overlapping and crossing of bri gades, etc., as the consequence. Here, in describing the attack made by the Eighth Corps from Gravelotte toward St. Hubert, the Quarries ami the Moscow farm, where such enormous losses were incurred, he cas uallv mentions that the attack was ordered by Steinmetz. To him lie also attributes the subsequent advance of the First Caval ry division and four batteries over the very narrow defile formed by the road as it there crosses the Mance Valley. But he almost implies that the latter movement, if mis taken, as it was certainly unfortunate, was yet a very natural one under -the circum stances. The Defense Left to Steinmetz. Taking the view wh.'ch is implied in Von Moltke's works as to the responsibility for what happened, any friend of Steinmetz would be able to make out a t cry good case for him. The orders given to Steinmetz were not to scriousl attack the French left until the second army was in a position to close upon Baaine's right But, if the partisans of the Bed Prince hold Steinmetz responsible for the unnecessary waste of l.fe incurred by his beginning the attack too soon, the reply is obvious; Steinmetz ould not be expected to know anything of the six hours' delay occasioned by His Hoyal Highness' orders for the Twelfth Corps to form the extreme left of bis army, tcwLichl liac just referred. Steinmetz could rot, therefore, be expected to calcu late upon such unexpected and unnecessary slowness of movemeut on the part of the ieit of the second army under Prince Frcd- r:ek Charles. He naturally calculated it bad marched at an ordinary pace over the distance to be tra ersed, and when he at tacked, he did eo under the justifiable as sumption that it must hare long before reached a position opposite the French right, which was then believed, at army headquarters, to be no further north than Montigny Then, again, it must be remembered that, at noon, General Steinmetz, hearing the very heavy firing at Vernevillc, naturally concluded the Second army had then reached the French right, and was already closely engaged with it He was, however, warned by the King's headquarters not to take this firinsr of itself as a signal for his attack. But yet, if accused of beginning his attack on the French left too soon, he might fairly plead in defence of the hour when he began it, that his calculations as to when the attack on the second army on the French right would begin to tell, had, been thrown out six hours by the Prince's unexpected orders to the Twelfth Corps. Another Mistake ot the Crown Prince. Von Moltke, however, acquits him of blame, and says the French General owed his escape to the recall, by order of the Crown Prinee't he&douarters. of the two cavalry divisions, which had been detailed to pursue him. Tnis order of recall had been issued without due reflection. A re port has been received irom Bheims that the French were there in force, and in over haste it was accepted as true. This is a most interesting point to all who have ever had to quickly weigh the value of reports so received in the field, and to plan opera tions upon their appreciation and their reading of them. I know of nothing more difficult in the many responsibilities which fall to the lot of a commander. The great est coolness of head and clearness of vision, knowledge of your enemy, and the most intimate and thorough appreciation of the topography, is required. So many of even the best staff officers are often carried away by the circumstantiality of the evidence forthcoming to prove some report, such a large proportion of officers sent to recon noitre and obtain reliable information are disposed to'magnify the forces of the enemy which they encounter, or see at a distance, that a very judicial mind indeed is required to duly weigh what thev are told, even upon "the best authority," And yet suc cess in war depends very much upon being able to discover or divine, not only the enemys actual movements, but his objects, plans and intentions. Without this gift, for gift it is, no man can ever be successfnl as an independent leader in the field. Caution Characteristic of Ton Moltke. In the instance refered to, the over-readiness with which this report was believed at the Crown Prince's headquarters, is a strik ing contrast to the great cantion with which Von Moltke accepted the information he obtained of MacMahon's Nothernly move ment towards Mctz. It was not until his mind was positively assured about it that he ordered the great change of direction in the march of the German armies which finally cut off MacMahon from Metz, and which led to the battle and capitulation of Sedan. Von Moltke does not draw attention to this contrast, but I think we may assume it was in his mind when he wrote his story. In any case, the record of the two different modes in which important news and reports received at headquarters were dealt with, are very instructh e." It may possibly sug gest to some who have not considered the point before, an explanation, if not a de fence, of Wellington's very cautious move ments when he received the first news of Napoleon's inroad upon the allied armies at the opening ot the Waterloo campaign. I end, deploring the slipshod manner in which the translation of this book has been given to the English and American public. The mistakes are very numerous, and they are very perplexing, evento the soldier well acquainted with the history of which it is meant to be a popular epitome. What must it be to the uninitiated civilian ? WOLSEtEY. W$F$h liHlrvyil claim for pension on rheumatism. This man had served a 13 rears' sentence in this prison and was discharged last November. .tie was shortly afterward convicted of robbery and sent to the Western Peniten tiary. I returned the papers to the Chaplain stating the man was a fraud, that he had not complained while here: that the Govern- ment bad paid him all he was worth and that there are a nnmber of such persons in this prison receiving and applying for pen sions.' "To this class of pensioners I referred, and had no reference to soldiers or the Grand Army of the Eepublic The men who served their country in time of peril are justly entitled to erery consideration from their fellow men, and no one has more regard and veneration for the men that stood up for the cause in which I was an earnest, decided and positive partisan than "Yours respectfully, "MlCHAEC. J. CASSIDY." be a special sale of fancy I ne linen work suitable for I THERE will articles and fine Christmas to be held Tuesday and Wednes day, November 24 and 25; and of cakes, pies, puddings, croquette, etc., to be held Wednesday, November 25, for Thanksgiv ing at The Womans' Exchange, 628 Penn avenue. ., The old Soldiers of this vicinity are very indignant over some remarks attributed to Warden Michael J. Cassidy, of the Eastern State Penitentiary. The feeling has reached such an extent that a movement has been started to effect Warden Cassidy's removal from office. Several Grand Army posts have passed resolutions, and the following from Colonel John B. Clark Post 162, of Alle gheny, is a sample: "Whereas, On September 30, while visiting the Western Penitentiary, Michael J. Cassidy, Warden of the Eastern State Penitentiary, without just cause or provoca tion denounced the soldiers of the late war as 'thieves and robbers; said that the pension laws were a fraud on the Government, the soldiers having went out for the money there was in it, and that the Government did not owe them a cent,' and made other remarks unfit for publication and unworthy of anv citizen of this great State, and es pecially one holding the high and honorable position ot said Uassidy; and Whereas, While it is true the Govern ment, in finding us board and clothes and paying 513 per month, carried out its part of the contract, no honest man supposes or says that it was by these means the great armies of loyal citizens were raised to march, fight and perchance die, that the Government might not perish Irom the tace of the earth; and. Whereas, While the men who for love of country, leaving behind all that men hold dear, thronged to the field and stood as a mighty barrier between the armed foe and the nation's life, enduring hardships, priva tions and death uncomplainingly, this loud mouthed braggart, who in these latter days dares to assail the men who did what he lacked the moral courage to' do, was enjoy ing the comforts of home, the pleasures of society and friends, his life and limbs in perfect safety behind the prison walls of the Cherry Hill Penitentiary, in the city of Philadelphia, as Warden, which positionhe has held continuously until the present time; therefore, be it Besolved, That the fact that this man, holding such opinions, and expressing them in language common with the rabble, is permitted to fill this office is a disgrace to the loyal citizens of this grand old Common wealth, and a direct insult to the men who made it possible tor him to live under the protection of the old flag, and that we hereby enter our solemn protest against the further continuance of this man in public office." Mr. Cassidy was written to concerning his alleged utterances with the following re sult: Eastern State Penitentiary, ) Philadelphia, Nov. 17. J To the Editor Sunday Dispatch: -Xour kind letter of the 16th reciting the action of the old soldiers of Pittsburg, was received this morning. In reply will state 'that a short time ago I received a letter through Chaplain Milligan from a prisoner in the Western Penitentiary with papers to be filled up and verified by me, making Commander Boyer Official Visits. The visit of Department Commander Boyer and stall to Western Pennsylvania will com mence on Monday, December 7. The visit ors will he in Pittsburg on Wednesday, De cember 9, when a grand camp fire will be held in Old City Hall. Camp fires will be held In Greensburg on Monday, in New Brighton on Tnesdav, in Butler on Thurs day and in Conneilsvllle on Friday, at which Department Commander Boyer and his staff will be present. These will be grand rallies for the territory surrounding the place of the meetings. These facts were bronchi out at a meeting of the Executive Committee at the Pension Office on Friday evening. The committee will hold another meeting at the Pension Office next Wednesday evening to make further arrangements for the Department Commander's visit. Commanders of Alle gheny county Tjosti are requested to as semble with the committee on that evening. At Friday night's meeting the Chairman was instructed to use his influence with the National Council of Administration to have the date of the Washington encampment chanced to an earlier date than September 80. The general feeling in this locality is that the encampment should be held in Augusf. Grand Army Gossip. Post 206's Washington Club is flourishing. Comrade F. J. Wheeler of Post 162, is slowly improving. Comrade Lapayxttx, of Post 206, visited Post S3 last Tuesday. Combadb Joseph B. Eatoit, of Post t, has been on the sick list for two weeks. Comrade D. A. Jokes, of Post lBl.was nomi nated for ohaplain last Tuesday evening. Comrade Johit W. Moeelajtd, of Post 15V was a visitor of Post 157' s meeting Thursday night. NoxrsATTOxswIUbemadeby Post 88 next Tuesday, when an interesting time is ex pected. Post 181, of Braddoes:, has donated (10 to the Soldiers' and Bailors' Monument fund of UcKeesport. Comrade W. I. McCorhick, of 88, residing on California avenue, was reported seriously sick last Tuesday. SKSioaVice Commander John Brann, of Post 157. will be elected Commander for next year without opposition. All the comrades were greatly grieved at Adjutant General McClelland's illness, and hope he will soon be welt Comrade D. A Joses yesterday reeeived his commission as an aide de camp on the staff ot the Commander in Chief. Ai other application was read at Post ISO's meeting last night a week. Nomina tions will be made next Saturday. Post 157 will hold no meeting next Thurs day, it being Thanksgiving. Nominations will be continued to Thursday a weekT Post 236, at its last meeting, passed a reso lution thanking Warden McAleese for the appointment of a soldier to a position in the jail. Post 83 last Tuesday adopted resolutions of condolence and sympathy with the family of the late benlor Vice Comrade Bobert Harper. The flrst Sunday in January, 1892, hasbeen fixed upon by Post 8 for the holding of memorial services in memory of the dead of the year. C. J. Williams wants the comrade who won the gun at the raffle to come and get the prize at his home at MunhaU. Ticket 140 won the shooting iron. The musical and literary entertainment of the ladies' auxiliary to Post 480, given at 'Venetian's Hall, Bloomfleld, last night, was the success that was anticipated. KojrntATiOHs commencecLlast week. They will be continued next week, and by some posts into the flrst meeting night in Decem ber, when the elections will be held. The Thanksgiving evening reception of Camp S3, Sons of Veterans, will be a very enjoyable affair. Toerge will play and Caterer Luther will serve the refreshments. Ok Wednesday evening Past Deputy Com mander Dennlson,Fension Agent Bengongh, and Thomas J. Samplo attended the memorial volume presentation of the Sharon Post. Colokel H. M. Eebelb, of the Sons of Veterans, returned from Beading last week. He reports a large gain in ' membership In the last six months. Twenty-three new camps have been musterod and several charters have been applied for. Post 236 objects to the time' set by the committee for the national encampment. The members favor holding the encamp ment in August, believing that more Grand Army people and their friends can attendizt August than in the last of September. Post 206 will give a Thanksgiving enter tainment in the hall on Arthur stieet on Thursday next, commencing with a dinner at 12 M., to continue during the afternoon and evening. The Ladies of the O. A It. have the affair In obarge. There will be lots of refreshments; some good speaking and singing, with other music. The ladies of Colonel John B. Clark Circle No. 11, Ladies of the G. A. B., will give anotner or their delightful hops, the flrst ol this season, in the Cyclorama parlors, Tues day evening, December 1. The following well-known ladies will vouch for the success of the affair; Mrs. W. 8. Patterson, Mrs. W. T. Bradberry, Mrs. Jessie Deer, Mrs. E. G. Moos, Mrs. Austin Pearce, Mrs. E. A Jones and Mrs. J. C. Schreiner. Last Tuesday, Clark Circle No. 11, Ladles of the G. A B. Social, met at Mrs. E. Hunt's, 6014 Center avenue, East End, and had a de lightful time. The last social in October was at the homo of Sister Sherriff and was doubly celebrated, it being the tenth anni versary of Sister SherrifTs wedding. Some handsome presents in tin were brought, and after tbe elegant lunch the evening was spent with music and last but not least a cake walk, in which all joined heartily. NEW ADTXKHSEMKNTJ. BEHOLD m RESULT OF OUR ENORMOUS PURCHASE FOR ' IFOT CASH FURNITURE AND CARPETS ! We are enabled to offer these goods at "prices so low as to defy all competition. It will pay you to come miles to indulge in the WONDERFUL BARGAINS now offered. THESE . PRICES v WILL INTEREST .. YOU: COSTIVENESS If not relieved by judicious and timely treatment, is liable to result in chronio constipation. As an aperient tbat may be used vrith perfect safety and satis faction, Ayer's Pills are 'unsurpassed. Unlike most cathartics, these pills, while tbey relax and cleanse, exert a tonic influence on the stomach, liver, and bowels, causing these organs to per form their functions with healthy regu larity and comfort. Being purely vege- FOR CLOSE BUYERS OF BEDROOM SUITS. OUR PRICE. 38 Suits, 3 pieces, Oak or XVI. Century $ 18 14 Suits, 3 pieces, Oak or XVI. Century $. 15 80 Suits, 3 pieces, cheval dressed - $ 25 42 Suits, 3 pieces, Oak $ 47 Also 8 other designs to choose from, ranging In price from $12 to- .... . $400 FOR CLOSE BUYERS OF PARLOR .". SUITS. 42 Suits in Crushed Plush or Tapestry, walnut or cherry frame $ 30 10 Suits French Gobelin Tapestry, walnut, cherry or century oak frame $ 35 150 Suits Wilton Velvet Rug, walnut or antique oak frame $ 50 100 other designs to choose from, in every de sirable upholstering, from $30 to $300 SEE FOR YOURSELF. FOR CLOSE BUYERS OF 75 various designs In Dining Room Chairs,50c to $ 10 50 various designs Extension Tables, $3 to $ 50 100 handsome styles in Sideboards, oak or walnut, $13 to $250 60 patterns Hatracks.very rich and elegant,$4to $225 25 patterns Folding Beds, $20 to $ 175 100 patterns Fancy Tables, 75c to $ 15 All exquisite, handsome and well worth your inspection. FOR CLOSE BUYERS OF Wardrobes, $7.50 to $ 50 Chiffoniers, $8 to $ 30 Mantel Cabinets, $7 to $ 50 Ladies' Writing Desks, $8 to $ 30 China Closets, $10 tos $ 100 Bookcases, $8 to $ 40 Office Desks, cylinder or flat top, $8 to $ 40 Each and every article a bargain. Seeing is believing. table and mineral any kind, is not Cured by free from drug of their use attended Good for old vrith injurious effects, and young of every climate, Ayer's Pills are everywhere the favorite. G. W. Bowman, 26 East Slain street, Carlisle, Pa., says: "Having been subject, for years, to constipation, without being able to find much relief, I at last tried Ayer's Pills, and I deem it both a duty and a pleasure to testify that I hare derived great benefit from their use. I would not willingly be without them." Ayers Cathartic Pills Every Dose Effective. FOB CLOSE BTJ"S"EE,S OF CARPETS. 1,000 yards 3-ply Ingrain - 70c 3,000 yards All-wool Extra Supers - 65c 500 yards Brussels - 50c 200 Smyrna Rugs $1.25 to $8 125 Moquette Rugs $2 to $10 75 Fur Rugs $3to $8 LADIES' COATS, PLAIN AND FUR-TRIMMED. Terms, Cash or Credit, One Price. HdxNOTICE No discount allowed under any circumstances during this sale. PICKERING'S, COR. TENTH ST. e-housefurn,sher. PENN AVENUE. WE WILL TALK TURKEY! WW LL TALK TURKEY ALL THIS WEEK! In a Thanksgiving offering of Men's Fine Suits. We are exhibiting a greater assort ment than you'll have the time or patience to look at Our stock, our variety, our styles, our prices are ar resting the attention of the intelligent Quick trade is the key note and low prices the music of our talk about suits. FROM NOW UNTIL THANKSGIVING We shall crowd every suit we possibly can down to the special price of ON NEXT THURSDAY! And we are going to talk it in our usual practical manner by distri buting at our store on Thanksgiving morning 600 Turkeys to the many poor but deservingfamilies of the two cities. I W Sails W Lb DOLLARS And at this price will show you a line of Sacks and Frocks the value of which, when seen, will speak louder than a whole page advertisement about them. B&n ml frnmmt ' I Those who desire to participate in this distribution will make early application for tickets to the following charitable associations:' Pittsburg Association for the Improvement of the Poor, the Dorcas Society and the Ladies' Relief Society of Allegheny. The' officers of these societies have kindly consented to distribute the tickets, without which the gift is not obtainable. LET US TALK TURK JUST ONE MOMENT! With you from the Overcoat standpoint Welcome winter is here at last It is probably come to stay. Nows the time that-business in this line is a cer tainty with us. Many dealers take ad ' vantage of the brisk demand and put prices up to the highest point now, reducing them later on. We believe in selling you our goods cheap RIGHT NOW, when you most need them. On the-point of STYLE Aim ECONOMY YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY AN OVERCOAT " OUTSIDE OF OUR STORE. Ours are the best results of brains from designer to maker, ahd the most chronic critic can find nothing to criticise in any point if STORE OPEN THURSDAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, UNTIL NOON ONLY -HUSKY'S- ii to 4i me st. HIBJKT'lh- 300 TO 400 MARKET ST. THANKSGIVING :-: OFFERINGS: In Boys' and Children's Clothing, Hats, Underwear, Gloves, Shoes, Shirts, Neckwear, Hosiery, Trunks, Satchels, and any quantity of other articles you need, YOU HAVE CAUSE TO GIVE THANKS That at least one store in this city offers you the best of goqds at a minimum of cost Not a cent's worth of trash here, not a dollar's worth of shoddy, but prime value in every financial transaction. -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- . -:- -:- -:- -:- )
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