THE EOYAL AETILLEEY INSTITUTION. 
251 
fullest extent in the knowledge necessary for the duties they had to perforin. 
This education not only favoured the column formation, but even that 
of the smallest columns ever known'—sometimes no more than the two 
Uhlans with which the records of the war had made them so familiar. 
(A laugh.) The Prussians knew the roads and the formation of the 
country better than the natives, and everyone possessed a general know¬ 
ledge of what he had to do that had been found of immense service in this 
campaign. And not only were the officers well educated, but the officers 
taught the men, and he attributed very much of their success in this war to 
cultivation of intellect and the high order of instruction that all had received. 
(Applause). 
Captain W. S. M. Wolfe said they had just been shown, how the tactics of 
the Prussian infantry answered when it was successful, but he should like to 
know how the system would stand a repulse. It appeared to him that 
either of the formations displayed in the diagrams would, if compelled to 
retire, get into such a state of confusion that they could never be sufficiently 
reorganised to effect a creditable retreat. One had always heard in lectures 
and read in books how the Prussian infantry was to be taken into action, 
but one was never told how it was to be brought out again. (A laugh.) 
He begged to differ from the opinions expressed by some of the previous 
speakers as to the cause of the Prussian successes in this campaign, as he 
believed that the victory was simply the result of superior brute force. 
(Hear, hear.) He considered that our system of small battalions would 
have achieved the same results, and believed that the Prussian infantry 
would have been, in the event of a repulse, as thoroughly disorganised as 
they were at Langensalza in 1866. 
Colonel Cheseey said he must admit that the Prussian troops did get 
a good deal mixed up at Langensalza, as one square was composed of portions 
of five regiments, but that he did not think it was a fair case from which to 
judge the efficacy of the Prussian system. 
Major-General Wilmot said nothing remained for him, as president of 
the meeting, but to return thanks to the lecturer, for his valuable and 
interesting lecture, and to those who had taken part in the discussion. He 
was sure that everyone would agree with the remarks which had fallen from 
General Simmons as to the necessity of educating the army, and they 
were heartily glad that so able an officer had charge of the instruction of 
their young men. (Applause.) With regard to the remarks of Colonel 
Domville upon the selection of skirmishers, he might offer an opinion that, 
with the enemy in front of them, men would be more likely to pay attention 
to their officers than in mere practice, whether the skirmishers were all of 
one company or detailed from several. As regards the important point 
mentioned by Captain Wolfe, the formation was scarcely so peculiar as to 
render retreat more dangerous than usual. Whatever formation they might 
have been in before, if thoroughly routed they generally did the movement 
in one way, and that was in the best way they could. (A laugh.) He 
assured Colonel Chesney that the officers of the Royal Artillery appreciated 
his kindness in finding an opportunity, amid his numerous avocations, to 
come and give them the advantage of his careful study; and if at any future 
time he could give them another lecture, they would heartily rejoice. (Much 
applause.) 
The proceedings then terminated. 
