504 MACHETECHNICS. 



means or modes of employing them so as to produce the greatest 

 result. The principles of Strategy, are derived partly from reasoning 

 on the effects of certain measures ; but chiefly from experience as to 

 the effect of these and similar measures, in cases where they have 

 actually been tried. 



Strategy is an art of ancient origin, though it has but recently been 

 treated as a branch distinct from Tactics. It was practised by Alex- 

 ander and Caesar ; and in the arrangement of the Grecian phalanx, 

 and the Roman legion, as well as in the marshalling of modern 

 armies, (p. 498.) In the Grecian phalanx, the hoplitai, or heavy 

 armed infantry, clad in full armor, with broad shields, straight 

 swords, and long spears, appear to have occupied the rear ; while 

 the peltastai, or targeteers, with smaller shields and spears, held the 

 middle place ; and the psiloi, or light troops, armed with darts, 

 arrows, and slings, were posted in front, to begin the action. The 

 hippeis, or cavalry, either protected the flanks, or formed a reserve. 

 The Roman legion was, in early times, drawn up in three ranks ; 

 the hastati, or young men, in front ; the principes, or middle aged 

 next; and the triarii, or veterans, in the rear. They were all armed 

 with a shield, sword, spear, and two javelins ; but the hastati bore 

 the largest shields, and the triarii, the longest swords and spears. 

 The velites, or light troops, had no particular place assigned them, 

 but fought as skirmishers, with javelins, slings, and stones, or bows, 

 and arrows. Of ancient marches, encampments, and battles, we 

 have no room here to speak. 



The great elements of Strategy, or the combining of strength with 

 rapidity of motion, were first developed by Maurice of Nassau ; 

 practised and extended by the Duke of Maryborough ; farther improved 

 by Frederick the Great ; and finally perfected by Napoleon ; who 

 taught them, at last, even to his enemies. The works of Lloyd and 

 Tempelhoflf, describing the military operations of Frederick the 

 Great, are perhaps the earliest modern writings in which these ele- 

 ments are formally stated and explained. Billow, in his work on the 

 Theory of War, appears to have committed some grave errors ; such 

 as in maintaining that retreats should be made in separate corps, 

 diverging from each other. Jomini opposes this and other maxims 

 of his ; and insists that the forces should be kept concentrated, and 

 led by the shortest way, to attack the enemy in overwhelming 

 masses : in proof of which he cites many of the most brilliant ex- 

 ploits of Napoleon ; and might have cited those of his last success- 

 ful antagonist, the Duke of Wellington. In our own country, the 

 most instructive lessons may be drawn from the prudent measures of 

 Washington, compared with those which proved fatal to Burgoyne 

 and Cornwallis ; while they show that a war of self-defence has 

 greatly the advantage over one of invasion or conquest. 



Our further remarks on Strategy, will be arranged under the heads 

 of Preliminary Operations ; Marches and Encampments ; and Bat- 

 tles and Retreats. 



1. Among the Preliminary Operations of a campaign, or sea- 

 son's warfare, are the organization of an army or armies, and the 

 devising of plans of operation. European armies often comprise 



