STRATEGY. 507 



distance, while the successive corps are crossing and debouching 

 on the opposite shore, that such a movement can be effected without 

 certain destruction. 



In all marches and movements, it is important that our different 

 columns, or corps, should keep within striking distance of each 

 other ; so that if either were attacked, the others might come in time 

 to aid it. The nearer the enemy may be, the more concentrated 

 should our own troops be, to effect this object. It is not safe to 

 divide our own army, because that of the enemy is divided, unless 

 one of our corps can be trusted to itself, while the other is able lo 

 vanquish one of the opposing corps. A better course, in this case, 

 is to attack one of the enemy's corps with our whole force ; and thus 

 beat him in detail. If our supplies come from the rear, it is of the 

 greatest importance to preserve our line of operations, and prevent 

 the enemy from intercepting our convoys. The line of battle, of an 

 army, which is usually perpendicular to its line of operations, is 

 technically called a parallel; because it is also parallel to the enemy's 

 line. Should the enemy move to the right or left, in his parallel, it 

 may require a corresponding movement of our own, either to give or 

 avoid battle ; and this may require a change in our line and plan of 

 operations, unless it has been already provided for. 



3. A Battle, is properly an engagement in which the great 

 mass of both the contending armies is present ; and if unsuccessful, 

 it generally necessitates a Retreat, or if this be impossible, a sur- 

 render. When a part only of one or both armies, is present, the 

 engagement is called an action, or affair ; and if it is between only 

 a few troops, and attended with slight results, it is called a skirmish. 

 Of course a battle should be voluntarily hazarded only under favor- 

 able circumstances, or else for some urgent reason: and the army 

 which acts on the offensive, is the most likely to win the day, be- 

 cause troops on the advance generally retain their courage and firm- 

 ness better than those who await the onset. An army, anticipating 

 an attack, should choose a strong and somewhat elevated position; 

 with natural obstacles, or temporary works, if possible, to defend its 

 flanks ; but with a free passage for retreat, in case of heavy reverses. 

 It is also desirable to have some detached field works in front, to 

 break the shock of the enemy's charge ; but with intervals through 

 which charges may be made in return. Besides the main army, 

 usually drawn up in two lines, there should be a strong reserve, 

 ready to act at any critical moment. 



If any positions can be found, from which the enemy's line can 

 be enfiladed by our artillery, they should of course be made avail- 

 able. Instead of distributing the different troops uniformly along the 

 line, it is generally better that the cavalry, and artillery, should be 

 concentrated in large masses ; which can thus be made to act more 

 effectively against the enemy. An attack is often made on one wing 

 or flank of our line ; which method is called an oblique attack, or 

 oblique order of battle. The best mode of meeting it would probably 

 be to make the threatened wing change front, and stand' its ground, 

 while the main army takes such a position as to outflank the enemy, 

 instead of allowing itself to be outflanked : but a skilful general 



