64 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
in their company column formation, have often suffered temporary checks, grave 
enough to oblige them to retire. The fact that they have eventually won almost 
every battle they have fought, is hardly an argument to be quoted against their 
system. After the frightful loss of life before St. Privat on the 18th August, the 
Guards retired in order, and attacked again, an hour and a quarter later, with 
success, when the Saxons had turned the Trench right. In reply to Colonel Field, 
he advocated the concentration of fire, and, as far as possible, the separation of 
guns. 
General Adye said:—He felt sure that all military men would agree in the 
advantages likely to arise from the manoeuvres of large bodies of men, such as 
were carried out in the autumn manoeuvres. The very concentration of thirty or 
forty thousand men of all arms—the feeding, moving, and arranging them in order 
of battle, afford valuable lessons, not only to young soldiers, but to the staff and 
higher officers also. So far as relates to our own arm, it is gratifying to feel that 
not only the experienced officers of our own army, but also those of the great conti¬ 
nental powers, spoke in favourable terms of our personnel , our materiel , and also of 
the manner in which the batteries were handled. He thought we were rather apt, 
perhaps, to overload ourselves with equipments, not of the first necessity, and that 
we should bear in mind that the gun and its due supply of ammunition are the 
vital points for consideration. We also are in the habit of moving the position of 
our batteries rather too often in action. This, however, is partially due to the 
fact that we are fighting sham battles, and not real ones, and would rectify itself on 
service. 
Speaking of the manoeuvres generally, he pointed out that in some respects 
we had to encounter even greater difficnlties than we should have in real war. 
In the latter case, the roads, railways, and telegraphs would all be at our 
disposal; we should take possession of the towns and villages, and thus obtain 
shelter; the food, forage, fuel, and means of transport of the country would 
be available for our use. The Prussians, in their autumn manoeuvres, do take 
military possession of the district far more completely than we do; that is, their 
men are billetted in the villages, or they lie in the open, and any wagons they 
may require for baggage or sick are obtained by requisition on the spot. This 
facilitates their movements and enables them to dispense with tents. With us, we 
moved between thirty and forty thousand men without disturbing the rights and 
privileges of the inhabitants, or without in any great degree availing ourselves of 
the local resources. It was therefore necessary to provide the whole force with 
camp equipage, and with hospital arrangements. Many thousands of waterproof 
sheets were issued, for the men to lie on. The men were also, for the most part, 
supplied with fresh bread and fresh meat, and, owing to the cattle disease, the 
animals could not be driven across the country and follow the troops. The conse¬ 
quences were that we had a large number of wagons, of ambulances, and of water 
carts following and encumbering the troops. All these circumstances added to 
the difficulties and to the cost of the operation. He should like to see a some¬ 
what sturdier and a simpler campaign. He should like to see more self-sacrifice 
on the part of the inhabitants. It is difficult to conduct even peace campaigns, 
and to concentrate great bodies of men, without in some degree taking military 
possession of the country. The troops engaged should dispense with all super¬ 
fluities. War is a rough trade, and if armies are to move quickly the men must 
be ready for hard marching, coarse, badly-cooked food, and to lie out, if need be, in 
ploughed fields. 
We have heard much lately of military organisation and administration. These 
are essential, but there is something on which success depends even higher than 
they, and that is national character. Our ancestors were hardy, bold, and enter¬ 
prising. By the exercise of these fine military virtues we have founded colonies* 
