OUR INFANTRY. 103 



nothing can be more difficult on a field of 

 battle, offering striking varieties of ground, than 

 to occupy it well. Thus, to give in the course 

 of a campaign, or in a great battle, a sufficient 

 lateral extension to an army, without too much 

 weakening its communications, is a class of 

 knowledge which cannot be taught by books. 



Having then selected the best officers for 

 affording instruction, as well as the best for 

 profiting by it, we should have done everything 

 in our power for securing a supply of officers 

 during the continuance of peace, fitted to com- 

 mand our armies in the field when war shall 

 arrive. 



The officers sent to Spain would of course 

 consult carefully the "Dispatches," and Ge- 

 neral Napier's work. 



Strategy is one of those arts which is not 

 wholly directed by what are called general 

 principles. Doubtless there are such in war 

 which should, in the great majority of cases, 

 be kept in view, but great commanders are 

 found occasionally to neglect them, and with 

 advantage. If it were otherwise, the art of 

 war, or the business of a general command- 

 ing an army in the field, might be wholly 



