Page:The Great War.djvu/173

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To Richmond in 1864 — to Berlin in 1914 153 massed attack may have resulted in an even more dis- proportionate loss to them. One more detail it is well to remember. After Cold Harbor Grant's army was temporarily demoral- ized. In four weeks he had lost 60,000 men, half his army. If the German force was 600,000 at the start, as has been said by some observers, this ratio would mean a loss of 300,000. Those who remem- ber Civil War days will recall the wild outburst of denunciation in the country after Cold Harbor, when Grant was called a " butcher." In 1864 Grant could afford to lose half his army and still be sure of a numerical superiority over Lee sufficient to prevent any counter stroke. In men, in money, in resources he was surely better off than his opponent. But his army was shaken and he had to take it south of the James and it was many months before a siege reduced Richmond. In 19 14, Germany had no such advantage over France and England. More soldiers she had than France and England combined, but she was com- pelled to send against Russia nearly all the number she had in excess of France and England. Again, as Russian mobilization became more and more effec- tive, she was obliged to turn all her reserves, even some of her army in France, toward the East. For France and for England, on the contrary, the whole reserve and second line could be used against the German armies before Paris.

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