Thoughts on the military and military activities of a diverse nature. Free-ranging and eclectic.

Thursday, February 05, 2004

Wolseley.


This is coolbert:

In the 1870's, the British General Sir Garnet Wolseley toured the world, visiting the armies of all the world's powers. After his tour was complete, Sir Garnet came to the conclusion that the U.S. Army fighting the American Indian was the best army in the world.

Upon what this conclusion was based is not entirely known.

Wolseley did some "fighting" of his own on the western frontier of Canada, suppressing a rebellion by the Metis [half-caste offspring of French Canadian trappers and their Indian wives].

At this time the U.S. Army was a very small force, very poorly funded and equipped, but with great responsibilities. Did not hardly even come close to comparing to the armies of the major world powers of the time. And yet Sir Garnet came to this conclusion of his. It would be interesting to see what factors were considered.

coolbert.