Page:McClure's Magazine volume 10.djvu/533

GENERAL MILES ON THE GREEK PICKET LINE, MAY 29, 1897.

The Turks were apparently as unconcerned and defiant as it is only possible for an army to be that has had a series of victories and has successfully invaded the enemy's country—in this case a country that their people had occupied up to as late as 1832. They were occupying a very strong position, and indicated every appearance of being capable of holding the same. We could distinctly hear their bugle calls, and see the comfortable white tents in which they were sheltered, tents which had formerly belonged to the Greek army and had been captured is the recent campaign. The poor Greeks were without shelter, and exposed to the rain and inclement weather. There was an independence and bravado in the appearance of the Turks that indicated their readiness to renew the conflict the moment the armistice should be suspended. I could not but note the marked change in the circumstances of this scene and one that occurred nearly 2,500 years before in sight of the ground now occupied by two armies. We are told that when the great Persian army under Xerxes confronted the heroic band under Leonidas, the Spartans laid down their spears and shields, and moved out in front of their line, and went through their gymnastic exercises to keep their joints supple, and decorated their long hair as if preparing for a festival, thus taunting and defying their enemies to combat. Now the conditions were entirely reversed and the invaders impatient to renew hostilities.

OFFICERS AND EQUIPMENT OF THE GREEK ARMY.

The officers of the Greek army seemed to me an intelligent, patriotic body of men; but they were, naturally, much depressed at the result of the campaign. Their hatred of the Turks was as intense as their pride of and love for their own country. One accomplished officer, a colonel in command of the advance division of the Greek army, rode over the ground with us and along the line of the troops. On returning to his headquarters to take leave of him I informed him that I would shortly return to my own land, and that I hoped sometime to have a visit from him at Washington. He replied, "When you get far away and back to your own country, I hope you will have a kind memory for poor Greece." He said this with such an expression of grief and sentiment that I was deeply impressed.

The soldiers had endured their severe campaign and the disasters which had befallen their cause with fortitude, but were greatly disheartened, yet full of hope that something might occur to end hostilities. While there was no outward appearance of a want of confidence or disaffection, there was gloom in the general tone, manner, and appearance of the troops. I have seen the same condition of affairs in our own army after some serious disaster. The humiliation that follows defeat and retreat is pictured upon the faces alike of the officers and men of every army.

There was a great want of proper equipment and supplies. Doubtless, whatever they may have had, had been seriously affected by disasters in battle and the rapidity of the retreat of the army. Much of the discomfort resulted from the absence of proper shelter and from insufficient food. The last has a very demoralizing influence upon any body of troops. The sad condition of the Greek army was made more melancholy by the presence of great numbers of refugees, wandering about from place to place, homeless and destitute. It was estimated that in and around the army there were 50,000 of these people, who had abandoned their little homes, carrying away only what little substance and clothing they could transport