498 MACHETECHNICS. 



considerable numbers, in the train of European armies. The boats, 

 or pontoons, used for a bridge, are anchored or moored at short inter- 

 vals from each other, with their heads pointing up the stream ; after 

 which scantling is laid across them, with proper lashings ; and the 

 whole is then covered with suitable planks. Of the construction of 

 military roads ; the laying out and fortifying of camps ; and the making 

 of military reconnaisances ; we have no farther room here to speak. 



CHAPTER III. 



GEOTACTICS. 



WE propose the term Geotactics, to include the exercises of troops 

 of all kinds ; by which they are enabled to act in concert, in the dis- 

 charge of their proper functions. The name is from the Greek, *atf<y, 

 or T-aT-fw, I arrange ; and it is sometimes made to include Strategy or 

 Grand Tactics ; that is, the management of battles and campaigns : 

 but the later writers have justly considered this a distinct and higher 

 branch of Machetechnics. We have added the prefix Geo, from 7*7, 

 the earth, to distinguish this from Navitactics, or Naval Tactics ; a 

 kindred, but separate branch. Geotactics comprises three principal 

 divisions ; Infantry Tactics, relating to troops which use the musket 

 or rifle ; Artillery Tactics, relating to those whose chief weapon is 

 the cannon ; and Cavalry Tactics, for troops which fight on horse- 

 back, with the sword and pistol. The process of instructing troops 

 in their respective exercises, is called drilling ; on which their effi- 

 ciency essentially depends. 



The arts of Tactics were carefully studied by the Greeks and 

 Romans ; and greatly contributed to their military successes. The 

 Grecian infantry were grouped in lochoi, or bands ; taxes, or compa- 

 nies ; xenagias, or battalions ; and chiliarchise, or regiments ; all 

 having their proper officers. Their cavalry were subdivided into 

 ilai, or squadrons ; and hipparchies, or regiments ; usually of 8 

 squadrons, or 512 horsemen each. The Grecian phalanx, was 

 drawn up in a rectangular form having from 8 to 16, or even 32 

 ranks ; with a front usually of 500 men : its force having gradually 

 increased from 4,000 to 16,000 infantry. The Roman century, was 

 so called because it originally consisted of 100 men ; though the num- 

 ber was afterwards increased. Two centuries constituted a 'maniple; 

 three maniples, a cohort ; and ten cohorts composed a legion; two 

 of which, commanded by a consul, formed a consular army. The 

 Roman legion was gradually increased, from 3000 to 6000 infantry, 

 besides 300 cavalry ; which last were drawn up in ten turmse, or 

 troops. On the distribution of the different classes of soldiers, in 

 the legion and phalanx, more will be said in treating of Strategy. 



The modern changes in the weapons of war, introduced correspond- 

 ing changes in the organization of troops ; of which the three principal 

 kinds are variously subdivided. The heavy infantry, or infantry of 

 the line, including grenadiers, armed with muskets and bayonets, 



