Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1878 — The Modern Rifle. [ARTICLE]

The Modern Rifle.

Beyond all contradiction, the increased power of the defense is to be ascribed to the perfection of the modern rifle. Its long range, its accuracy 7 , the rapidity with which it can be loaded, have made it the most formidable weapon that ever was invented. Walls whose defenders are armed with it may be literally said to be unapproachcd by an enemy. Its fire is perfectly desolating. Nothing can live on the exterior slopes of works when they are swept by its bullets. The dogged courage of the Turks has been the means of demonstrating what modern rifles can do. We believe that in the attack on the lines of JUeva* on the Czar’s birthday—everything the bravest soldiers could do was done by the Russians in their endeavors to take the redoubts- Not only did they fail, but hardly any of them (in some cases not a man) got away unwounded. It is worth remembering that it was in the darkness, after the close of that eventful birthday, that Skobeleff succeeded In getting into the Gravitza and the other two redoubts. One reason of his success was that the wornout Turks, thinking the struggle over for the day, had, except a small guard, letired from the works. But we think that probably another reason may be adduced—namely, that the guard which was left on the alert could not see the enemy at a distance, and therefore could not take aim. It is hardly too much to suppose that, had there been light to distinguish the assailants at a moderately long range, the men on duty could have checked the attack until their comrades could have returned to their posts. ' As a corollary on this observation, we may remark that in future when assaults are given it will be absolutely necessary to return to the old practice of delivering them before daybreak. This practice not long ago was condemned, it being thought that the risk’ which the stormers ran of misging their way or making other mistakes in the darkness more than counterbalanced the advantage that might be gained by stealing unseen up to the scene of Operations. Now that the scene of operations .will be swept by the deadly rifle 1 , the darkness will afford the only chance of attacking with success.— Blackwood's Magazine.

—Twelve years ago a thief hired a horse of a livery stable in Natick, Mass., and the owner did not see either the man or beast again until recently, when they entered the village. They looked older, but were recognized. Tne thief claimed that he was on his way to return the horse, but his explanation was not accepted. A man is obliged to die before his will amounts tp anything, but that of a woman is always in force. —Cincinnati Breakfast Table.. m