^ "74! 



adopt the best expedients. Upon this occasion, 

 every one has the liberty of offering his opinion, 

 if he deems it conducive to the public welfare. 

 In the meantime the general consults in secret 

 with the ofiScers of his staff, upon the plans that 

 he has formed, and the means of remedying si- 

 nister events. 



Afier this, the army commences its march to 

 the sound of drums, being always preceded by 

 several advanced parties, in order to avoid a sur- 

 prise. The infantry, as well as cavalry, proceed 

 on horseback, but on coming to action they im- 

 mediately dismount, and form themselves into 

 their respective companies. Each soldier is 

 obliged to bring from home not only his arms but 

 his supply of provisions, according to the custom 

 of the Romans. As all are liable to military 

 service, so no one in particular is obliged to con- 

 tribute to the support of the army. The pro- 

 vision consists in a small sack of parched meal 

 for each, which, diluted with water, furnishes 

 sufficient food for them until they are enabled to 

 Jive at free quarters upon the enemy. By adopt- 

 ing this mode, the troops, being free and unin- 

 cumbered with baggage, move with greater ce- 

 lerity, and never lose an opportunity of attacking 

 the enemy with advantage, or of making, when 

 necessary, a rapid retreat. Frederick the Great, 

 of Prussia, and the celebrated Marshal Saxe, 

 attempted to restore this ancient method of pro- 



