“Victory in war depends not on numbers, nor on courage; skill and discipline only, can ensure it.”
The emphasis thus laid by these great warriors on genius for warfare is still further accentuated by men whose dicta few will dispute, viz.,
“The understanding of the Commander,” says Frederic the Great, “has more influence on the outcome of the battle or campaign, than has the prowess of his troops.”
Says Napoleon:
“The general is the head, the whole of an army. It was not the Roman army that subjugated Gaul, it was Caesar; nor was it the Carthagenian army that made the Republic tremble to the gates of Rome, it was Hannibal; it was not the Macedonian army which reached the Indus, it was Alexander; it was not the French army which carried war to the Weser and the Inn, it was Turenne; it was not the Prussian army which for seven years defended Prussia against the three strongest powers of Europe, it was Frederic the Great.”
From such opinions by men whose careers evince superlative knowledge of the subject, it is clear, that:
- I. There exists a system of Strategetics common to all great commanders;
- II. That understanding of this system is shown by the skillful use of it;
- III. That such skill is derived from innate capability;
- IV. That those endowed by Nature with this talent, must bring their gifts to perfection, by intelligent study.
So abstruse are the processes of this greatest of all professions, that comprehension of it has been evidenced by eleven men only, viz.:
Epaminondas, Alexander, Caesar, Hannibal, Gustavus Adolphus, Turenne, Eugene, Frederic, Washington, Napoleon, Von Moltke.
Comprehension of this system can be attained, only by innate capability brought to perfection by intelligent study of the words and achievements of these great Captains.