Lack of military talent and of Strategetic knowledge, never is more strikingly shown than by negligence or inability in this regard.
Incompetents, ignorant of this truth, and oblivious to its importance, devolve such vital responsibility upon subordinates; and later, these legalized murderers palliate the slaughter of their troops and the national shame by publicly reprimanding men serving at shillings per month, for failing in a service, which were the latter able to perform, would entitle them to the gold epaulets and general’s pay, of which their commander is the unfit recipient.
Knowledge of the number, organization, position and movements of the enemy’s troops is the basic element for correct calculation in campaign and battle.
Such things to be accurately estimated must be closely inspected. All speculation and all conjecture in regard to these matters is but frivolity.
It is by being precipitate and hasty in making such conclusions, that men are deceived, for to judge rightly of things before they become clearly shown is most difficult.
To act on uncertainty is WRONG.
We do not know all the facts and a single iota of light later on may oblige us to condemn that which we previously have approved.